The whirlwind romance between Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose has come to an abrupt halt. Less than a year after exchanging vows in a “beautiful, joyous” ceremony, the country music icon has filed for divorce from his wife, citing irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the 62-year-old singer-songwriter filed for divorce from Firerose, whose real name is Johanna Rose Hodges, in Nashville on May 22. Cyrus is also seeking an annulment on the grounds of fraud, though the specifics behind this claim remain unclear.
A Friendship Turned Romance
Cyrus and Firerose, 37, had been friends for years before their relationship took a romantic turn during the COVID-19 pandemic. As they began collaborating on music, their bond deepened, and they started dating in 2022. Their whirlwind courtship culminated in an engagement later that year and a wedding on October 10, 2023.
“10/10/23 will always be the beautiful, joyous day that our two souls united as one in holy matrimony,” they wrote in a joint Instagram post at the time, describing their nuptials as “the most perfect, ethereal celebration of love we could have ever imagined.”
Musical Collaborations and Public Declarations
Throughout their relationship, Cyrus and Firerose worked together on several musical projects, releasing four collaborative songs: “New Day,” “Time,” “Plans,” and “After the Storm.” In interviews, they spoke about the meaning behind their music and the strength they found in each other’s love.
“It has been a beautiful whirlwind, and I’m just so grateful that I get to live my dreams every day with the love of my life,” Firerose gushed during an appearance on Good Morning America in August 2023, where they performed their song “Plans.”
A Blended Family
For Cyrus, this marriage marked a new chapter in his personal life. The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer was previously married to Tish Cyrus for 28 years, with whom he shares five children: daughters Miley, Noah, and Brandi, and sons Trace and Braison. He also has a son, Christopher Cody, from a previous relationship with Kristen Luckey.
As the news of the divorce filing spreads, representatives for both Cyrus and Firerose have yet to respond to requests for comment. The once-smitten couple, who seemed inseparable just months ago, no longer follow each other on Instagram, further fueling speculation about the nature of their split.