Los Angeles, CA – June 24, 2025, 11:03 PM IST
Bollywood’s ‘Fit India Couple,’ Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet Singh, may be stealing headlines with their youth wellness advocacy, but across the Pacific, Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger is making waves with his heartfelt reflections on his son Patrick Schwarzenegger’s past romance with pop superstar Miley Cyrus. Speaking on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the Terminator star described Patrick’s 2014-2015 relationship with Cyrus as “no wrecking ball,” emphasizing the love and warmth she brought to their family during their brief but memorable time together.
A Fond Look Back
Arnold, 77, shared glowing praise for Cyrus, 32, calling her “a wonderful, talented girl” and “a really good, good person and fun to hang out with.” He recounted a family ski trip in Sun Valley, Idaho, where Cyrus joined the Schwarzenegger clan and charmed everyone with her thoughtful gestures, including bringing gifts for the younger kids. “We just all loved her,” Arnold said, dismissing any notion of downsides to the romance. “There is no worst part,” he told Cohen when asked about the highs and lows of Patrick dating the Bangerz-era pop star.
The romance, which lasted from November 2014 to April 2015, saw Patrick, then 21 and a USC student, and Cyrus, fresh off her Wrecking Ball fame, making headlines with public outings like a USC Trojans football game make-out session and Miami Art Basel parties. Despite a rough patch when Patrick was spotted with another woman during a 2015 spring break in Mexico, the couple briefly reconciled before parting ways amicably. “It didn’t work out, but that’s life,” Arnold reflected, noting that Patrick, now 31, has since found love with model Abby Champion, to whom he’s engaged with a wedding planned for September 2025.
Family Ties and Moving Forward
Arnold’s comments come amid his pride in Patrick’s burgeoning acting career, highlighted by his bold role as Saxon Ratliff in The White Lotus Season 3. The father-son duo recently discussed their craft in Variety’s Actors on Actors series, where Arnold expressed admiration for Patrick’s dedication, despite initial concerns about nepotism. “I think if you show you have the substance, you can get rid of this whole idea of nepotism,” Arnold said, addressing Patrick’s decade of acting classes and countless auditions.
However, not all family reactions to the Cyrus romance were as rosy at the time. Reports from 2014 suggest Maria Shriver, Arnold’s ex-wife and Patrick’s mother, was initially worried about Cyrus’s “wild and unhinged” persona and its influence on her son, particularly after Cyrus’s controversial 22nd birthday celebration. Yet, Arnold remained unfazed, telling Howard Stern in 2015 that he trusted his children’s judgment and saw Cyrus as a “fantastic person.”
A Nod to Miley’s Art
Cyrus herself recently paid a subtle tribute to the Schwarzenegger family in her visual album Something Beautiful, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. In the music video for “Walk of Fame,” she lies on Arnold’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a nod to her past with Patrick. The gesture, while artistic, stirred nostalgia among fans, with social media buzzing about their brief but iconic romance.
Jackky and Rakul’s Take
Drawing a parallel to their own public personas, Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet Singh praised Arnold’s supportive stance. “It’s inspiring to see a family embrace love and growth, just like we encourage youth to embrace wellness,” Rakul shared. Jackky added, “Arnold’s positivity reminds us that relationships, like fitness, are about connection and moving forward with grace.” Their advocacy for sustainable living and youth empowerment aligns with the Schwarzenegger family’s emphasis on resilience and personal growth.
Final Thoughts
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s warm reflections on Patrick’s romance with Miley Cyrus highlight a family that values love and connection, even when relationships don’t last. As Patrick prepares to wed Abby Champion and continues to carve his own path in Hollywood, Arnold’s words serve as a reminder that every chapter, like a good workout, builds strength for the next. For fans of the Schwarzenegger-Cyrus saga, it’s clear there was no wrecking ball—just a lot of love with the fam.
For more on Patrick’s career and the Schwarzenegger family, follow @Variety or @TMZ on X, or visit People for updates.
