While it's the start of a new year, it actually feels a lot like a previous one. Just like in 2012, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are the subject of dating rumors once again. These exes have been spending time together, including attending an Australian music festival over the weekend. Cyrus also posed for photos with Hemsworth's sister-in-law, Elsa Pataky. Given their chemistry in The Last Song, it makes sense that fans are shipping a MiLiam reunion. But amidst all of this, I can't help but wonder, why did Cyrus and Hemsworth break up in the first place? The reason actually adds a lot of context to their current situation.
After getting engaged in 2012, the two officially called it quits in September 2013. In a 2014 interview, Cyrus reflected on their relationship and why it ended. Instead of bashing her ex, she said, "I love Liam, Liam loves me. It’s about finding yourself. I had to set myself free." If this means they split so that Cyrus could find herself, she's certainly done so in the years following their breakup. Just look at how much she's come into her own — with the release of Bangerz to launching her own non-profit. She's constantly expressing herself through her music, fashion choices, and advocacy work.
Expanding upon this idea, in a 2013 interview with Barbara Walters, Cyrus talked about how so much happened so fast in her relationship with Hemsworth, which made it difficult for her to find her own identity. The singer explained,
I was so scared of ever being alone, and I think, conquering that fear, this year, was actually bigger than any other transition that I had, this entire year. I don’t ever want to have to need someone again, where you feel like, without them, you can’t be yourself.
All of this just adds to the reasons why reuniting now makes a ton of sense. She's definitely managed to form a solid sense of self, so being with Hemsworth again wouldn't hinder her identity. Plus, there wasn't any bad blood between them. Echoing Cyrus' sentiments about caring for one another, Hemsworth told Men's Fitness in October,
You fall in love with who you fall in love with; you can never choose... We were together five years, so I don’t think those feelings will ever change. And that’s good because that proves to me that it was real. It wasn’t just a fling. It really was an important part of my life and always will be.
Since Hemsworth said she'll always be an important part of his life, that's all the more reason they could be back together. Like he said, you can't choose who you fall in love with and these two just have so much chemistry — maybe they couldn't avoid it any longer.
