Elizabeth Hurley’s new romance with Billy Ray Cyrus was a surprise to everyone but her.
“I believe people were somewhat taken aback by Billy and me as a couple,” the supermodel revealed exclusively to Page Six at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hot Pink Party on Tuesday night.
“It doesn’t surprise me because we are actually very similar and get along extremely well,” she added, acknowledging that “there has been quite a reaction.”
Hurley, who was the host of the event, also shared what she has in common with the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer.
“We both like to laugh a lot, and we both love the country,” the “Austin Powers” actress said.
“And we both love country music, both love movies. We’ve got a lot in common — and cowboy boots, definitely,” she added.
Hurley, 59, was at the event with her 23-year-old son, Damian. She dazzled on the carpet in a beautiful pink dress featuring ruffled lace appliqué and a thigh-high slit.
Pop superstar Sting performed at the New York event, which supports funding for breast cancer research.
Hurley has been a longtime supporter of the organization.
“It’s been wonderful,” Hurley told Page Six of the 30 years she’s been global ambassador for the Estée Lauder Company’s breast cancer campaign.
“It’s been wonderful to really, really know every stride that’s been made, be part of the people that are trying to make the changes and the progress,” the mom of one shared.
“It has become really one of the most important things in my life.”
The swimwear designer also confessed to becoming emotional when taking the stage at the annual event.
“I always have to stop myself crying whenever I go on stage for the first time,” she explained.
“It’s very moving because a lot of people in this audience have been affected by breast cancer. They’re either going through treatment themselves or they’ve lost someone to breast cancer or other things that have happened to them. And it’s very moving indeed to see them.”
Hurley debuted her whirlwind romance with the “Hannah Montana” actor with a PDA pic on April 20 after flying to Cyrus’ epic Nashville estate for Easter.
Before long, Hurley and Cyrus, 63, shared more photos of themselves riding off into the sunset in an off-road vehicle, cozying up for a “Tennessee weekend” and passionately kissing during a quiet countryside walk.
Cyrus later revealed that the duo, who worked together on “Christmas in Paradise” in 2022, reconnected after Hurley reached out with an unexpected text amid his divorce from singer Firerose.
“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,” the text read, Cyrus told Apple Music Country’s “The Ty Bentli Show” in April.
“Of all the people to reach out to me in that second that maybe I needed most… this friend who made me laugh,” he said.
An insider told Page Six last month that the swimsuit model was “waiting a long time for romance.”
“I think she likes the whole cowboy thing,” they added.
A separate source told us last month that Hurley’s friends — including Rock legend Elton John — were confused by the unexpected pairing.
“Liz’s friends think it must be a joke or madness, but they aren’t saying it to her,” the source said.
“Elton may not understand this relationship, and is a bit bemused by it. But for all his faults, Elton is really loyal to Liz.”
Hurley later called the aftermath of the relationship launch a “helluva few weeks” in a subsequent Instagram post.
“Well…it’s been a helluva few weeks since my glorious sojourn in the Maldives, but here are some of my happy memories,” she captioned several dreamy photos from a recent vacation in the sunny locale.
