Kevin Costner chose the perfect moment to target Elizabeth Hurley and it threatens Billy Ray Cyrus’s happiness

Billy Ray Cyrus finally found love again after years of heartbreak.

The country music legend thought he could count on some peace with his new romance.

But Kevin Costner chose the perfect moment to target Elizabeth Hurley and it threatens Billy Ray Cyrus’s happiness.

Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor circles

The 64-year-old country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus endured a brutal divorce from his ex-wife Tish, watched his family fall apart, and suffered through a disastrous seven-month marriage to singer Firerose that left him emotionally drained.

When British actress Elizabeth Hurley reached out to him during his darkest moments earlier this year, it felt like a gift from above.

The 60-year-old Austin Powers star had worked with Cyrus on the 2022 film Christmas in Paradise in the Caribbean, and they’d kept in touch as friends.

"In this moment… a friend reached out," Cyrus recalled about receiving Hurley’s supportive text message when he needed it most.¹

"Hey, it looks like life might be a little bit tough and just wanted you to know I’m in your corner; you’ve got a friend in your corner," Hurley had written to him.²

Their friendship blossomed into romance, and by Easter Sunday 2025, they went public with their relationship in a sweet Instagram photo that showed Cyrus kissing Hurley’s cheek in a field.

Since then, the couple has been inseparable – making red carpet appearances together, with Hurley calling Cyrus her "patient boyfriend" as he teaches her guitar, and even dubbing him "Squirrel Man" on his 64th birthday.³

But now a major threat to their happiness has emerged from an unexpected source.

Kevin Costner has reportedly kept an eye on Hurley

Kevin Costner has been watching Billy Ray Cyrus’s romance with Elizabeth Hurley with keen interest – and sources say the Yellowstone star is positioning himself as the backup plan.

The 70-year-old actor’s interest in Hurley isn’t new.

According to insiders, Costner knew Hurley back in the late 1990s when he was dating her roommate, and "always thought she was smoking hot."⁴

"There was a genuine connection there, and rumors circulated that they may have actually hooked up, though neither one of them ever admitted it," a source revealed to RadarOnline.⁵

Following his bitter divorce from Christine Baumgartner in February 2024 after 18 years of marriage, Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor has been thinking about Hurley "a whole lot," especially watching her current romance unfold.⁶

"So if the opportunity ever arose, he’d jump at the chance to get with her," the source explained. "Of course, the only thing in the way is Billy Ray."⁷

Billy Ray Cyrus has been through it.

After his marriage to Tish Cyrus ended, he became estranged from some of his children, including daughter Miley, though they’ve recently reconciled.

His rebound marriage to Firerose lasted just seven months and left him emotionally devastated.

"You can’t get knocked down any flatter than laying on your back when life is kicking you," Cyrus said about that difficult period.⁸

Then Elizabeth Hurley came along at exactly the right moment with genuine kindness and support.

Their romance has reportedly been authentic and sweet.

Hurley’s 23-year-old son Damian has embraced the relationship, even appearing with the couple at red carpet events and showing his support on social media.

The couple has talked about their shared connection in interviews – both are single parents who found each other at the right time, and both appreciate country life and family values.

But Kevin Costner, fresh off his own messy divorce, is apparently ready to swoop in if things don’t work out.

Think about Billy Ray Cyrus for a second.

"Achy Breaky Heart" was a genuine emotion that connected with millions of folks who knew exactly what heartbreak felt like.

Now he’s finally found some happiness with Elizabeth Hurley, and now he’s got Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor to contend with.

¹ Smooth Radio, "Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley relationship: How did they meet? How long have they been dating? and more," July 3, 2025.

² Ibid.

³ Fox News, "Elizabeth Hurley spills the unique nickname for boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus while celebrating his 64th birthday," August 25, 2025.

⁴ Yahoo Entertainment, "Kevin Costner and a ‘Smoking Hot’ Elizabeth Hurley Shared ‘a Genuine Connection’ Back in the 90s," August 11, 2025.

⁵ Reality Tea, "Billy Ray Cyrus Has Competition with This A-Lister for Elizabeth Hurley’s Romance, Per Source," September 17, 2025.

⁶ Yahoo Entertainment, "Kevin Costner Has His Eye on ‘Smoking Hot’ Elizabeth Hurley After Christine Baumgartner Divorce," August 11, 2025.

⁷ Reality Tea, "Billy Ray Cyrus Has Competition with This A-Lister for Elizabeth Hurley’s Romance, Per Source," September 17, 2025.

⁸ Yahoo Entertainment, "Billy Ray Cyrus Speaks Out About Elizabeth Hurley, Reveals She Reached Out as He Was ‘Knocked Down’ in Life," April 24, 2025.

⁹ Cosmopolitan, "Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley’s Full Relationship Timeline," August 2025.