14 DAY TRIAL // After being married for 17 years, Miley Cyrus’ parents, Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus have filed divorce papers, citing irreconcilable differences. No other explanation has been offered.
In a statement released to E! Online, the Cyruses confirm the decision to separate and ultimately get a divorce, but they mention nothing of the reason for the split.
“As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for our family. We are trying to work through some personal matters. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers,” the two say in the statement.
Tish and Billy Ray have been married for 17 years, and have two other children together, beside Miley. Word in the tabloid media says it was Billy Ray who asked for the divorce.
E! spoke to a source close to the couple, who denies reports another man or woman may have come between the two. However, the announcement did not come as a shock.
“It was a long time coming. It is the best thing for both of them,” says the spy, suggesting the two simply drifted apart in recent years and could no longer find a common ground for the marriage to last.
“The country crooner-turned-actor swapped vows with Leticia ‘Tish’ Finley in December 1992. They have three children together, Miley, 17, Braison, 16 and Noah, 10,” E! further says.
“Billy Ray also has two stepkids he adopted when they were infants and a son from a previous relationship,” the same report mentions.
As of now, Miley has not yet spoken about her parents’ decision to get a divorce. Knowing her, though, she will probably issue a statement or something in the following days to prevent rumors from spreading like wild fire.
This is precisely what she also did a short while ago when, exasperated with a series of rumors getting out of control, she made and posted online a video in which she tackled each one in turn.