As of late, it’s been more slings and arrows, shade and scandal than “Flowers” and fuzzies for the Cyrus clan.
The fractured musical dynasty gained a few more cracks this week with the revelation that Tish Cyrus’ new husband, “Prison Break” star Dominic Purcell, allegedly was the one-time “friend-with-benefits” of her daughter Noah Cyrus, 24.
Lord, have mercy.
This scandalous chapter in the Cyrus family began in 2022 when Tish, 56, officially split with Billy Ray, 62, after three decades of marriage. Both remarried in 2023: Tish to Purcell, 54, and Billy Ray to Australian singer Firerose.
Noah was understandably absent from her mother’s August 2023 nuptials, spending the day wearing a Billy Ray tee and hanging out at Walmart with her brother, Braison Cyrus.
Tish and Noah have a history of strife: after Tish filed for divorce from Billy Ray for the third time, Noah reportedly blocked her on Instagram, raising flags that she was picking sides.
Meanwhile, daughter and pop star Miley served as maid of honor at her mother’s wedding but is reportedly feuding with her daddy-o.
Her ire allegedly stems from Billy Ray’s treatment of Tish and the “disrespect” that led to her breakdown.
When and why did Tish and Billy Ray break up?
The ballad of Tish and Billy began in 1991 at a music club when a then-unknown BRC was living out of his car. Because hot can sometimes mean homeless, he managed to make it work with Trish, and the two would go on to share fame, fortune and five children: Miley, Noah and Braison together, and Brandi and her brother Trace, 35, Tish’s children from a previous relationship that were adopted by Billy Ray.
The country singer also has a son, Christopher Cody, 30, born from a previous relationship with ex-girlfriend Kristin Luckey.
Family constellations
To better understand the energies at play and at war within the Cyrus clan, we’re looking at the stars that bind and break them.
Let’s start with the matriarch.
Tish Cyrus
Tish Cyrus is a “more is more” Taurus sun with an emotionally sunburned Cancer moon. Taurus made a recent list of the zodiac signs most likely to steal: “Taurus rules the second house of values and possessions — Lord knows if they don’t feel like they have enough, they’ll feel entitled to some of yours.”
And, by some, we mean a certain bald-headed thespian.
Interestingly, said thespian also has a Cancer moon, suggesting strong emotional compatibility between Trish and her new husband. Two Cancer moons can really go all in on new love, novel-length texts, hot tub sex, shared persecution and pillow fights.
Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus is a “people as projects” Virgo sun with a “space alien wearing a skin suit” Aquarius moon. For evidence of his ET energy, see his weirder than a box of hair Instagram reels.
Seriously, I’ll wait.
Billy Ray and Tish are earth signs, each elementally drawn to the grounding energy and corporeal pleasure principle found in the other. Earth signs build and stabilize and make for solid ground of a family foundation.
What likely drew these two apart is the wildly different nature of their moons. In astrology, the moon represents our emotionality and style of attachment; Cancer moons like Tish want total enmeshment, and Aqua moons like Billy Ray are ever out of reach.
I envision this dynamic as Jessica Simpson trying to seduce Spock. You’re welcome.
Cancer moons like Tish want total enmeshment, and Aqua moons like Billy Ray are ever out of reach. I envision this dynamic as Jessica Simpson trying to seduce Spock.
Interestingly, Billy Ray’s new wife Firerose is also an earth sign, albeit one with an air moon that prizes the cerebral over the emotional. These two space cadets — while odd — are, star speaking, not such an odd match.
Noah Cyrus
Noah Cyrus is a conquest-as-cardio Capricorn sun with a “feelings are for the weak” Aquarius moon. Capricorn is a sign associated with legacy, grind and daddy energy. Per Noah X Dominic, it is not uncommon for folks with strong Cap placements to seek out an older partner; they are ever looking to learn and leverage, and sometimes a generational age difference provides just the stirrup and stir-up they are seeking.
Interestingly, Noah has Saturn, the planet of tough love, hard knocks and growth through adversity in Taurus, the sign of her mother’s sun — suggesting that Tish’s betrayal will be for Noah’s ultimate benefit.
Dodging bald bullets, baby.
It’s important to note that Billy Ray and Noah share a moon placement. For evidence of their emotional connectivity, see their shared penchant for hiding behind lank hair and their collaboration on Noah’s heartbreaking banger, “Stand Still.”
Our moon sign is also indicative of the relationship we have with our mothers.
Aquarius moons often identify their maternal influence as more of a friend than a parent, a combination of erratic and progressive to whom they may relate but not respect. Checks out.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is a “let the good times roll” Sagittarius sun with a “trust no one” Scorpio moon. Miley is a mutable sign and, as such, a strict sense of right/wrong and yes/no is more negotiable than absolute.
Sagittarius is the optimist of the zodiac and tends to focus on the big picture more than the minor details … like her mom banging out with her kid sister’s alleged ex.
Sag folks can suffer from toxic positivity, making light of what feels very heavy for others. We see this tendency in Miley’s dismissal of Noah, who has openly struggled with substance abuse and mental health as “emo.”
Miley’s moon in Scorpio forms a harmonious trine with Tish’s moon in Cancer. Water sees water here, and love and acceptance likely come easily to the two of them.
By contrast, Miley’s moon forms a challenging square with Billy Ray and Noah’s Aquarius moons.
I suspect she feels safe with her mom and agitated and misunderstood by her dad and her sis.
Mars makes it messy
When examining conflict, we look to the placement of Mars, the planet of confrontation, within the birth chart. Interestingly, all parties in this family fray have weakened Mars placements.
Noah has Mars in Pisces, indicating a tendency to dream up drama, perceive threats where there are none and shadowbox imaginary friends. Miley has Mars in “passive-aggressive, my feelings are facts” Cancer and both Trish and Billie Ray have Mars in “death before decisions” Libra.
The shared Mars placement of Tish and Billy Ray serves to explain their long, oscillating union.
In matters of emotional triage, a warrior does not rise victoriously but rather facilitates reconciliation, and between the four, there’s no such fighter — indicating the old town road to healing may be a long time coming.
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girl’s guide” to strip clubs, and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.
