Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus had many people confused when they got together, but they're still going strong and proving the haters wrong. In a recent interview, the actress opened up about the unexpected similarities that brought them together, and why their connection makes more sense than people think.
© GettyThe Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery actress, 61, discussed her relationship with the country singer during an appearance on the SheerLuxe podcast. While she agreed that from the outside it's an "unlikely pairing," Hurley said, “But then it isn’t really in some ways either because ... we’ve both had quite similar lives in that we’ve both lived out of suitcases our entire lives.”
Hurley pointed to their careers and explained that their shared experiences in the entertainment industry and their preference for a quieter life away from the spotlight have helped them find common ground.
“We both also a long time ago moved out of the cities,” she said, noting that Cyrus has a farm in Tennessee while she lives on a farm in Herefordshire, England. “Neither of us really go out much unless we have to because it’s work. So there are a lot more similarities than you’d think.”
And apparently, their similarities extend beyond their lifestyles. “We have the same hair,” Hurley joked, before adding, “Apart from his beard, we’re actually like twins.”
© GettyShe even pointed out that he looks like her son Damian's dad that she, her brother, and Billy Ray all look like cousins.
Damian, who lost his father Steve Bing in 2020, has been unwavering in his support for his mom’s happiness. Sources told Hello! in 2025 that “Damian loves Billy Ray and is thrilled to see his mother happy and in love.”
© GettyThe actress even revealed that she once took a DNA test for Cyrus, discovering that they share similar ancestry. “I did it for him, and he’s 100% Irish, English, Scottish, exactly like me,” she said.
© Mike MarslandHurley also shared a glimpse into their life behind closed doors, revealing that their personalities are quite different despite their unexpected similarities. While she considers herself highly organized, Cyrus is a little more laid-back.
“He’s way more vague than I am. He’s not very organized,” she said, laughing. “He can’t cook and he sort of bumbles around whereas I’m very organized.”
The singer’s eating habits also appear to be a source of amusement for Hurley. “He doesn’t eat properly, and there’s never any food in his house,” she said. “When I arrive, I’m like, ‘What have you been eating?’ Oh, nothing.” According to Hurley, Cyrus will often get by on sweets or popcorn rather than a proper meal.
Still, those differences have done little to disrupt their relationship. The actress explained that they share a love of spending time together at home, saying that they are similar because they both enjoy “snuggling up.”
The couple first met while filming a movie in the Caribbean a few years before they began dating. Despite spending weeks together on set, Hurley insisted there was no romantic spark between them at the time.
“Absolutely nothing happened. I was never alone with him. We certainly didn’t even hold hands,” she recalled. It was only when they crossed paths again years later that things changed. Hurley and Cyrus went public with their relationship in April 2025.
