Billy Ray Cyrus’ redemption arc needs to be studied. Country music’s hottest new couple is hitting the stage. Well, the hottest couple depends on whether you’re into that grunge look of Billy Ray Cyrus. And I’m pretty sure everyone can agree that Elizabeth Hurley is hot, no matter which way you swing. Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley hit the stage right after Lainey Wilson’s stellar opening performance at the CMA Awards to present the first award of the night, Single of the Year. Average SEC couple.#CMAAwards pic.twitter.com/hhYPGdwUtq — Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) November 20, 2025 In all honesty, when I saw that Billy Ray was announced as a presenter, I was shocked that the CMAs were going to let him within a 100-foot radius of the stage after his train wreck of a performance earlier this year at the Liberty Ball. For those who don’t remember, Billy Ray Cyrus delivered his bizarre performance at the Liberty Ball, celebrating President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Tech issues plagued the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer throughout the performance, whose voice was nearly unrecognizable when he decided to stop lip-synching. After ranting at tech staff and asking whether he should just “get the hell off the stage,” Billy Ray decided to launch into an a acapella performance that had fans wondering whether he was drunk or on drugs. And finally, he seemed to be escorted off stage after bizarrely wandering around and waving at fans in the dark as his song “Could’ve Been Me” played in the background. It was tough to watch. After the performance, Billy Ray’s (apparently estranged) son Trace Cyrus issued an emotional plea to his father to seek help. Trace, who is the son of Billy Ray’s ex-wife Tish Cyrus, said that the singer has pushed his family away as they’ve been “genuinely worried” about him for years, and says that everyone seems to recognize that he needs help except for Billy Ray himself. And Billy Ray’s ex-wife Firerose, whom the country singer divorced only seven months after getting married, also released a statement claiming that the world was finally seeing what she had to deal with during their short marriage: “What’s being seen in public now reflects much of what I experienced in private during our relationship. It’s very sad to see those same struggles continue for him, but I’m glad the truth is coming to light — for his potential good because healing is only possible when you confront the truth and accept there’s a problem.” While Billy Ray said he was okay, instead of getting the help that his family begged him to get, he got into a new relationship with Austin Powers actress Elizabeth Hurley. The two shocked the world hard-launching their relationship over Easter weekend and have seemingly been a united front since. According to sources close to the couple, Hurley has really helped Cyrus turn things around and repair some of the relationships in his family, like with his daughters Miley and Noah… Trace, however, seems to have no interest in repairing his relationship with his father. I guess the CMA Awards thought that because of this, Billy Ray has gotten it together enough to present an award during the show. To be honest, I had my bets cast on how much of a train wreck this would be again. But to my surprise, or the tight leash that Hurley keeps him on, the presentation went off without a hitch. Cyrus even shared some wise words from The Man In Black, Johnny Cash, about selling the lyrics you sing to create a song deserving of Single of the Year — which went to Ella Langley and Riley Green for “You Look Like You Love Me.” Even though he did a good job, viewers were still confused as to why he was there and shared some feedback about how his look still needs some work: no way they let billy ray cyrus at the cmas — mar ✿ (@ESPRESSDJO) November 20, 2025 Billy Ray Cyrus looks like a muppet. #cmas — Tape Hiss (@AnalogRob) November 20, 2025 My wife is watching a CMA’s And I see Billy Ray Cyrus dating Elizabeth Hurley Like what — J (@Jarebear81787) November 20, 2025 Billy Ray Cyrus looks like the undertaker#CMAAwards — Dawson Haywood (@ChatGPDawson) November 20, 2025 What is Billy Ray Cyrus doing at the CMAs — Shelton Stilley (@Shelton_Stilley) November 20, 2025 The post Billy Ray Cyrus Redeems Himself As CMA Award Presenter (Thanks To Liz Hurley) After Liberty Ball Train Wreck first appeared on Whiskey Riff.