Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose have very publicly finalized their divorce, three months after the famous singer filed for divorce.
Cyrus filed for divorce from Firerose (whose real name is Joanna Hodges) in May, just seven months after they were married. Cyrus cited irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital relations as the reasons for the divorce, according to documents obtained by the media outlet. peopleThe famous singer also filed for an annulment on grounds of fraud. Cyrus' lawyers released a statement on Monday saying the estranged couple's divorce was finalized on August 2.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 23: (From left) Firerose and Billy Ray Cyrus perform onstage during the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors Awards at the Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images, Courtesy of ACM)
“Last Friday, the parties reached a settlement in mediation to dissolve their seven-month marriage, and the court entered judgment of divorce on the parties this morning,” said Rose Palermo and Jason Talley of Cheatham, Palermo & Garrett.
“Cyrus is relieved to have put this nightmare behind her,” People said in a statement.
Cyrus' lawyers added that “several weeks prior to the mediation, Ms. Hodges legally changed her last name from 'Hodges' to 'Cyrus,'” which they said Cyrus believes “supports his contention that his ex-wife's only motivation for marrying him was to take his last name.”
The famous singer said she was “very relieved” by the outcome of the trial, but admitted it was “disappointing” that the situation “unfolded the way it did.”
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 12: Billy Ray Cyrus performs during day four of CMA Fest 2022 at Nissan Stadium on June 12, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage) Getty Images
“Today I take a moment to be grateful,” Cyrus said in a statement, according to People magazine.
“It was a matter of the heart,” he said. “Love is blind… that's for sure. BRC.”
“This is not something she did last week, especially after the ongoing smear campaign by his team,” a source close to Firerose told People magazine.
She added that she “chose to walk away without fighting for money in order to put an end to a volatile relationship and everything to do with Billy.” (Related article: “The West Wing” star Joshua Malina's marriage ends after 28 years)
Firerose previously claimed that Cyrus filed for divorce just one day before she was scheduled to undergo a preventative double mastectomy.
