Billy Ray Cyrus is facing legal challenges from a woman claiming to be the biological mother of Miley Cyrus.
The woman, identified as Jayme Lee, initiated legal action against the 64-year-old in May, asserting that she gave birth to the ‘Flowers’ singer.
According to Lee, she was only 12 years old when she allegedly gave birth to Miley and subsequently agreed to a ‘private adoption agreement’ with Billy Ray and Miley’s mother, Tish Cyrus.
In her lawsuit, Lee claimed to have endured ‘severe emotional distress’ and accused Billy Ray of ‘misrepresenting the circumstances’ surrounding the adoption. She also stated that the agreement allowed her to name Miley and take on roles as her piano teacher and nanny.
The lawsuit, accessed by the Daily Mail, contained multiple allegations against Billy Ray, 64, and Tish, 58, including ‘breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and unlawful interference with parental rights’.
Responding to the allegations, the ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ singer dismissed them as ‘false and absurd’. In November, Billy Ray took legal action, seeking to have all of Lee’s claims dismissed. His legal team argued that the claims were ‘clearly brought for the purpose of harassing’ him and his family, and ‘wasting this Court’s time and resources’.
His lawyer stated, ‘allegations contained within [Lee’s] Complaint are absurd and ridiculous on their face. As a matter of public record, Miley Cyrus, who is now 32 years old, is the daughter of [Billy Ray and Tish]’.
The musician’s legal representative also highlighted that according to Tennessee state law, a court order is required for an adoption to be legally valid.
Chase LanCarte, representing the Hannah Montana star, confirmed to the Mail that the case was dismissed on December 5.
In response to the lawsuit, Billy Ray is now seeking compensation from Lee for legal expenses, as revealed in documents shared with Us Weekly.
He submitted a court filing requesting that Lee be ordered to pay him $7,564.13 for the legal costs incurred in defending against the allegations.
His attorney noted that Billy Ray was ‘awarded the recovery of his reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees and costs’, but this request was made after the case had concluded.
In October, a judge denied Lee’s request for a trial. She had also demanded a DNA test for Miley and her parents to confirm maternity and paternity.
LanCarte stated to Us Weekly: “Now that the Court has dismissed the lawsuit, Mr. Cyrus is focusing his attention on the upcoming Christmas holiday to spend time with family and friends.”
Representatives and the lawyer for Billy Ray Cyrus have been contacted for additional comments.