We have a stunner out of Hollywood this evening:
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth have pulled the plug on their marriage after just eight months as husband and wife.
This time frame doesn’t tell the whole story, though, of course, because the singer and the actor had been a romantic item — on and off — for over a decade.
What the heck went wrong?
How did this seemingly stable relationship fall apart less than a year after the stars committed to each other for life?
“Liam and Miley have agreed to separate at this time,” a rep for Cyrus told People Magazine in a statement on Saturday.
Not many details were offered, aside from the following:
“Ever-evolving, changing as partners and individuals, they have decided this is what’s best while they both focus on themselves and careers. They still remain dedicated parents to all of their animals they share while lovingly taking this time apart.
"Please respect their process and privacy."
This message was released just hours after Miley shared a photo of herself on Instagram — without a wedding ring around her finger.
“Mute me if you don’t want SPAMMED,” she captioned the post, which depicted Miley sitting in a chair while wearing a black bustier top with a matching pair of black pants.
As far as we know, neither side was disloyal to the other during their marriage.
There have been no accusations of infidelity leveled at Liam or Miley.
HOWEVER, Us Weekly reports that was spotted kissing Brody Jenner’s ’s ex-wife, Kaitlynn Carter, in Italy a day before this split was confirmed.
(For the possibly confusing record: Jenner and Carter filed for divorce this summer.)
(For the possibly confusing record, part two: Miley has often talked openly about her sexuality and how she never wants to affix a label to herself such as "straight" or "bisexual.")
In photos posted by Entertainment Tonight, the 26-year old singer is donning a black bikini and holding the hand of Carter as they vacation in Italy with Cyrus’ older sister, Brandi.
The pair are seen in these images all snuggled up, arms around each other and kisses being exchanged as they bask in the sun.
Miley and Liam met way back in 2010 on the film The Last Song.
They dated for years after that and even got engaged at one point… only to break up and then reconcile on more than one occasion.
But the pair had consistently been together for years prior to their surprising marriage this past December, which took place at their home in Tennessee, just weeks after a wildfire burned down their home in Malibu.
“Liam caring for animals and helping others during the Malibu fire sealed the deal. Their love exploded after that,” a source told Us Weekly. “They are a perfect match.”
That may be true.
But their decision to get married may have been misguided, spurred on by a natural disaster and the adrenaline from living through such a dangerous experience.
Just this month, in a cover story for Elle, Cyrus said she doesn’t fit the mold of a "sterotypical wife," explaining:
“I think it’s very confusing to people that I’m married. But my relationship is unique…
"I don’t know that I would ever publicly allow people in there because it’s so complex, and modern, and new that I don’t think we’re in a place where people would get it.
"I mean, do people really think that I’m at home in a f-cing apron cooking dinner? I’m in a hetero relationship, but I still am very sexually attracted to women."
This much does now seem clear — and perhaps should have been a warning flag for the couple.
Added Miley in this same interview:
"People become vegetarian for health reasons, but bacon is still f-cing good, and I know that. I made a partner decision.
"This is the person I feel has my back the most. I definitely don’t fit into a stereotypical wife role. I don’t even like that word.”
Well… she no longer has to worry about it being attached to her.
We wish both Cyrus and Hemsworth nothing but the best.
