Miley Cyrus is a global sensation. She's a multi-millionaire, beloved by fans around the world and staring at a future full of record-selling albums and hit movies.
Such success has made parents Billy Ray and Tish very proud... but it's also made them grow apart, eventually leading to last month's divorce announcement, a family friend says.
"Both parents have been equally involved in making their daughter a superstar," a source tells Pop Eater "And now that they have achieved their goal, they have nothing to work towards anymore and nothing to keep them together."
Miley Cyrus smiles - and performed! - though the pain of her parents' split at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
The insider says Billy Ray and Tish forgot about their romance over the years, as they focused entirely on Miley's next album or television appearance.
"Tthey have forgotten to make time for each other," a music executive added. "It's heartbreaking. You would think that someone like Miley has everything in the world, but I guarantee she would give it all up in a second if it kept her family together. I'm sure when she blows out her birthday candles in a few weeks her wish will be for mom and dad, not her career."
It's true. Miley turns 18 on November 23 and has already said she would love to "take a vacation with my family" in honor of the occasion.
"[My family and I] need time to all be together," she told Us Weekly over the weekend. Let's hope they get it.