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Fans mightâve been taken aback by Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrusâ relationship hard launch this month, but her friends knew about the romance for some time.
âHer friends have known about it for a while as itâs not a new thing,â a source exclusively tells Us Weekly, explaining that the actress, 59, âhad sworn them all to secrecy and they didnât tell anyone outside of her tight circle of mostly gay men.â
The insider notes, âNow that sheâs announced it, everyone is chattering about it.â However, the pairing didnât come as a shock to her inner circle, especially because of Hurleyâs past romances.
âLiz has a history of dating eccentric guys, so itâs not a huge surprise sheâd fall for Billy,â the source says.
When it comes to Hurleyâs friends, the source tells Us, âEveryoneâs just happy that [her son] Damian loves him.â
Us previously reported that Billy Ray, 63, has âbondedâ with Damian, 23, as he and Hurley continue to grow close. A source exclusively told Us on Tuesday, April 22, that Damian, who is Hurleyâs only child, is âreally happy seeing his mom happy.â (Hurley shared Damian with her late ex-boyfriend Steve Bing, who died by suicide in June 2020 at age 55.)
Hurley and Cyrus turned heads on Sunday, April 20, when they publicly debuted their relationship on Easter. The couple shared a photo of Cyrus kissing The Royals alum on the cheek while spending the holiday on a farm.
Shortly after their Instagram debut, a source exclusively told Us that things are âgoing wellâ between Hurley and Cyrus.
âThey have been friends for years, but it turned romantic recently,â the insider shared on Monday, April 21. âItâs not completely random as they worked together years ago and always kept in touch.â
The twosome costarred in 2022âs Christmas in Paradise, but it is unknown if that was the first time they crossed paths. The source added that Cyrus is âalways great about keeping in touchâ with his former collaborators and âmaintaining friendships,â which he did with Hurley.
Both Hurley and the âAchy Breaky Heartâ singer have been through âa lot in life,â the insider says, noting they âbonded over life experiences.â
âThey really understand each other and Liz is a very compassionate person, which Billy Ray adores,â the source continues, revealing the English actress has been âspending time with him on his farm in Nashville and they both enjoy the low-key, nature-loving lifestyle.â
In addition to balancing their two worlds â which includes Damian getting to know Cyrus â Hurley has âbeen in touchâ with Billy Rayâs youngest daughter, Noah Cyrus.
A separate source exclusively told Us on Tuesday that Hurley âdoesnât have relationshipsâ with Billy Rayâs two eldest daughters, Brandi Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, âyet.â
Prior to his relationship with Hurley, Billy Ray was married to Cindy Smith from 1986 to 1991. He welcomed his eldest son, Christopher Cyrus, with Kristin Luckey in 1992 and married Tish Cyrus the following year.
Billy Ray adopted Tishâs two children from a prior relationship, Brandi, 37, and Trace Cyrus, before they welcomed three kids of their own. The former couple share Miley, 32, Noah, 25, and son Braison Cyrus.
The country singer and Tish, 57, divorced in April 2022 after more than 20 years of marriage. Tish married Dominic Purcell the following year and Billy Ray wed Firerose in October 2023. He filed for an annulment in June 2024 and his and Fireroseâs divorce was finalized two months later.
Hurley, meanwhile, dated Hugh Grant from 1987 to 2000 before marrying Arun Nayar in 2007. The couple split in 2010. That same year, Hurley got engaged to late Australian athlete Shane Warne, but they called it quits three years later.