It’s been almost a month since we heard the surprising news that Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus are dating. Their hard launch with kissy Instagram pictures was not on anyone’s bingo cards. After the news first dropped, “sources” said that Liz is basically in her Cowboy Era and that her friends are just as mystified as the rest of us are. Elizabeth and BRC know they’ve caused a splash, and at a fundraiser on Tuesday she addressed the public’s reaction, saying that their romance was a surprise to everyone but themselves.
“I think people found Billy and I being together a little surprising,” the supermodel exclusively told Page Six at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hot Pink Party on Tuesday night.
“It’s not surprising to me because we’re actually quite similar and get on extremely well,” she continued, admitting that “there has been quite a reaction.”
Hurley, who was the host of the event, also shared what she has in common with the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer.
“We both like to laugh a lot, and we both love the country,” the “Austin Powers” actress said. “And we both love country music, both love movies. We’ve got a lot in common — and cowboy boots, definitely.”
Hurley, 59, attended the party with her son, Damian, 23. She posed on the carpet in a stunning pink ruffled lace applique dress with a thigh-high slit. Pop superstar Sting performed at the New York event, which supports funding for breast cancer research. Hurley has been a longtime supporter of the organization.
“It’s been wonderful,” Hurley told Page Six of the 30 years she’s been global ambassador for the Estée Lauder Company’s breast cancer campaign.
“It’s been wonderful to really, really know every stride that’s been made, be part of the people that are trying to make the changes and the progress,” the mom of one shared. “It has become really one of the most important things in my life.”
Hurley debuted her whirlwind romance with the “Hannah Montana” actor with a PDA pic on April 20 after flying to Cyrus’ epic Nashville estate for Easter.
Before long, Hurley and Cyrus, 63, shared more photos of themselves riding off into the sunset in an off-road vehicle, cozying up for a “Tennessee weekend” and passionately kissing during a quiet countryside walk. Cyrus later revealed that the duo, who worked together on “Christmas in Paradise” in 2022, reconnected after Hurley reached out with an unexpected text amid his divorce from singer Firerose.
“Hey, it looks like life might be a little bit tough and just wanted you to know I’m in your corner; you’ve got a friend in your corner,” the text read, Cyrus told Apple Music Country’s “The Ty Bentli Show” in April.
“Of all the people to reach out to me in that second that maybe I needed most… this friend who made me laugh,” he said.
An insider told Page Six last month that the swimsuit model was “waiting a long time for romance.”
“I think she likes the whole cowboy thing,” they added.
A separate source told us last month that Hurley’s friends — including Rock legend Elton John — were confused by the unexpected pairing.
“Liz’s friends think it must be a joke or madness, but they aren’t saying it to her,” the source said. “Elton may not understand this relationship, and is a bit bemused by it. But for all his faults, Elton is really loyal to Liz.”
Oh man, they are eating this attention up, aren’t they?! Maybe they’re more well-suited for each other than we thought here. After all, they both like to laugh, watch movies, and wear cowboy boots. Relationships have started on way less than that. She also mentioned that Billy Ray is coming to visit her in England soon, and honestly, I can’t wait for those pictures. I hope they’re fun and thirsty as hell. Oh, and it’s also kinda wild that she slid into his DMs in the aftermath of his latest messy divorce, right? There was so much public drama! Why would you want to dive head first into that? I’m kinda with Liz’s friends here regarding madness or a joke.
One other quick thing: Elizabeth’s gown for the Hot Pink Party was absolutely gorgeous. I think it’s in the running for one of my favorite dresses of the year so far. I didn’t love her hair, but my goodness, I love that dress.
Photos credit: Jeffrey Mayer/Avalon, Getty and via Instagram
Billy Ray is MAGA yeah? So ew. But sure, carry on and be thirsty with your maga man.
She’s a pro-Toy Brexit supporter so they probably share the same politics.
*Tory
She loves attention and will do anything to get it so she thought to herself I will start dating Billy Ray and that will shock people and I will get the attention I crave!!
IDK I feel like these two have way more in common than not. She owned a farm back in the day and he’s clearly a rural heartland guy. They’re both religious, both vain, both reportedly self-involved people. To me, they seem like a perfect match even if she’s more glamorous than he is.
“We have so much in common, we both love soup and snow peas, we love the outdoors, and talking and not talking. We could not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about.”
I was coming on here to post this very thing.
😂 🎯 #BiS
My god Damian gets creepier looking every time I see him! But yeah I want that dress!
SHE slid into HIS DMs, after that messy-ass split…during which he was accused of some pretty heinous behavior…
Whatever. If that didn’t turn her off, I guess they deserve each other.
Ah, I was wondering where these two would ever cross paths in the first place.
Honestly, I don’t see what she sees in him, but also not surprised either. . .? I mean skeezy is her thing, right? Steve Bing and Shane Warne come to mind. . .Billy Ray Cyrus looks like he has no idea what deodorant is and probably smells like crusty nacho cheese and cheap, stale beer.
Seemingly good taste in clothes. Clearly horrible taste in men.
She is still really beautiful, and I can’t imagine being attracted to him, but…kind of sounds like they deserve each other.
I think her son is incredibly gorgeous. How is he creepy? He could easily be a model.
Not really good at all