
Miley Cyrus and her husband Liam Hemsworth have split after just seven months of marriage.

The Nothing Breaks Like a Heart singer, 26, announced in a statement on Saturday that they had separated to 'focus on themselves and their careers'.

It comes as Miley was spotted kissing Brody Jenner's ex-wife Kaitlynn Carter during a girls' getaway to Lake Como, Italy, on Friday.

Moving on? Miley Cyrus was spotted kissing Brody Jenner's ex-wife Kaitlynn Carter during a girls' getaway to Lake Como, Italy, on Friday 24 hours before she announced her split from husband of seven months Liam Hemsworth

The Wrecking Ball hitmaker revealed in her split statement that she and Liam are 'ever-evolving' and 'changing' as individuals, insisting that they will remain 'dedicated parents to all of their animals'.

Miley and Liam married in a secret wedding on December 23, 2018, with their nearest family and friends at their home in Franklin, Tennessee.

The singer, who identifies as pansexual, revealed in a candid interview last month that she viewed their marriage as 'confusing, complex and modern', insisting that she was still 'very sexually attracted to women' and that she doesn't 'fit into a stereotypical wife role'.

They have dated on and off since 2010, and were initially engaged in June 2012 before calling it off in September 2013, they reconciled in 2016.

Cosy: Miley was seen getting cosy with the blogger, 30, who split from her husband Brody Jenner just last week, in the Italian sunshine as they continue to enjoy their holiday together

It has been three months since Miley and Liam were last seen together at the Met Gala, in New York City, in May earlier this year.

Now it's emerged the couple drifted apart amid new claims the newly married lovebirds have been trying to make their romance work for months.

A source told E! news: 'They have been trying to make it work for months now but haven't felt they were connecting on the level they were feeling when they got married last year. It's been a rough year.

'She has been ready to put out music and be back in the game touring and performing. They really grew apart. Miley and Liam have still been communicating and it wasn't a messy split but they haven't decided they are at different points in their lives currently.'

It's over! Miley announced her separation from husband Liam Hemsworth on Saturday after just seven months of marriage (pictured together in 2012)

Heartache: It has been three months since Miley and Liam were last seen together at the Met Gala, in New York City, in May earlier this year (pictured)

A representative for the singer said in a statement to press: 'Liam and Miley have agreed to separate at this time. 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.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Miley Cyrus, Kaitlynn Carter and Liam Hemsworth for comment.

Split: The singer announced in a statement on Saturday that they had separated to 'focus on themselves and their careers'

Mwah: Miley, who identifies as pansexual, revealed in a candid interview last month that she viewed their marriage as 'confusing, complex and modern', insisting that she was still 'very sexually attracted to women'

Cheeky: The pair attempted to hide their faces underneath their sun hats as they got hands-on in the Italian sunshine

Miley and Liam have been dating on and off since 2010, when they met on the set of the Nicholas Sparks adaptation film The Last Song.

They were initially engaged in June 2012, but they called it off in September 2013, before rumours stemmed in January 2016 the engagement was back on.

Miley confirmed they were engaged during an October 2016 appearance on Ellen, and they were married on December 23, 2018, at their home in Franklin, Tennessee - contrary to initial speculation that they were planning to wed in Liam's native Australia.

Flawless: Miley ensured her incredible figure was on full display in a revealing black two-piece Versace bikini as she soaked up the sunshine with Kaitlynn

At ease: Miley and Kaitlynn were enjoying some much needed downtime on their sunbeds in the midst of the warm weather

Holiday babe: Miley appeared relaxed and care-free as she displayed her toned figure in the racy swimwear

Split: Liam was last seen enjoying a surf with his actor brother Chris back home in Byron Bay, Australia on Monday August 5

Questions: Miley shared a snap of herself earlier on Saturday posing on a chair with her wedding ring visibly absent from the shot with fans asking in the comments section where her wedding band had gone

The claims and photos come after Miley shared a snap of herself earlier on Saturday, posing on a chair with her ring visibly absent.

The singer's 97M followers took to the comments section to ask why she wasn't wearing the wedding band.

'Where is her wedding ring?' one wrote, while a different concerned fan added: 'She's not wearing her ring wtf!??'

Getting comfy: Miley reclined on Kaitlynn as she stripped off to work on her tan on board the boat

Cooling off: The star enjoyed the on board swimming pool for a brief dip before heading back to her pals

Glamorous: Miley was parading her toned figure in a black Versace bikini and a Fendi bucket hat as she got extremely cosy with Kaitlynn on top of their pool towel

It's over! It also comes just a week after Kaitlyn split from The Hills star Brody Jenner after a year of marriage, though it was reported the couple never made their marriage official (pictured during happier times in 2018)

Sexy: Miley has been eagerly documenting her trip with Kaitlynn on social media, and that has included parading her sensational figure in a slew of bikini snaps

On Friday, before news of her split from Liam broke, Miley was seen getting cosy with Kaitlynn in the Italian sunshine as they continue to enjoy their lavish getaway.

The Hannah Montana star appeared to be getting extremely hands-on with the blogger, 30, as they enjoyed a spot of sunbathing together.

Miley was parading her toned figure in a black Versace printed bikini and a matching bucket hat as she got extremely cosy with Kaitlynn on top of their pool towel.

The Black Mirror star tried to shield her face with a wide-brimmed hat as they shared a series of smooches in the sunshine.

Kaitlynn was also proudly showing off her slender figure in a skimpy strapless cream bikini as they soaked up the sun together.

Miley & Liam's Romance: A Timeline Young love: Miley and Liam first met on the set of the movie The Last Song, in which they played romantic interests - foretelling their real-life future (pictured in 2010) June 2009: Miley and Liam first met on the set of the movie The Last Song, in which they played romantic interests - foretelling their real-life future. March 2010: Following months of speculation, the lovebirds confirmed their romance in the most Hollywood way possible, by making their red carpet debut as a couple at an Oscars party. August 2010: After solidifying their status as Hollywood's coolest young It Couple, the pair reportedly went through their first breakup, with Miley's exhausting work schedule being cited by sources as the cause. September 2010: Within weeks of the news that they had gone their separate ways, the pair were spotted out and about together. November 2010: Fans rooting for the photogenic twosome's fledgling romance were left disappointed as they decided to split once again. Big step: Liam proposed to Miley in 2012 (pictured in 2012) April 2011: After spending a whole winter apart, it appeared that they came to the realisation they couldn't live apart, as they reunited in time for spring. December 2011: Of course, nothing says 'we're together and madly in love' in Hollywood like a red carpet outing. Liam joined Miley at the CNN Heroes Gala in Los Angeles. March 2012: Shortly after Miley accompanied Liam to the premiere of The Hunger Games, engagement rumours swirled as she was seen sporting a ring. However, the star took to Twitter to shoot down the fevered speculation. June 2012: What a difference a few months make! The couple announce their engagement after Liam proposes with a 3.5-carat Neil Lane sparkler. February 2013: ere appears to be trouble in paradise once again, as Miley shoots down cheating rumours. Despite her denials, the couple step out separately for high-profile Oscar parties, fuelling breakup speculation. September 2013: Miley makes the big step of unfollowing Liam on Twitter. Just days later, her spokesperson confirms that the engagement is over. That same month, Liam is seen kissing Mexican beauty Eiza Gonzalez. November 2014: Miley moves on! She embarks on a romance with Patrick Schwarzenegger, and their every exploit soon starts hitting social media. March 2015: After Miley is embraced and welcomed into the Schwarzenegger fold, Patrick is seen getting cosy with another woman. I do: The couple wed in Tennessee in December 2018 (pictured in 2018) April 2015: It's announced that the pair's Instagrammable romance is over. July 2015: Miley is linked to model Stella Maxwell after they're seen out together. One month later, Miley shares that she's pansexual – and single. January 2016: The singer confirms that she's back with Liam – and they're engagement is on again – after she's seen with moving trucks at his home. Time-out: Miley and Liam broke off their engagement in September 2013 and reunited in 2016 (pictured in 2013) October 2017: Miley and Liam make their first red carpet appearance together in more than four years as they attend the Hollywood premiere of Thor: Ragnarok, starring his brother Chris. November 2018: The couple lose their Malibu home, after devastating wildfires destroy homes throughout the state of California. They subsequently relocate to Tennessee, where they're thought to have wed a month later. December 2018: Miley and Liam marry at their home in Franklin, Tennessee August 2019: Couple split after just seven months of marriage Happier times: The pair split after seven months of marriage in August 2019 Advertisement

Where is he? Liam is yet to comment on the split and he was spotted in Byron Bay, Australia, with his famous brother Chris earlier this week on Monday (pictured in a cosy Instagram photo before their split earlier this year)

Secret smooch: Miley and Kaitlynn shared a tender kiss underneath their hats as they sunbathed

Relaxing: The two stars appeared relaxed and care-free as they went on to sweetly hold hands during their getaway

Time for a swim! Soon the pair were enjoying a dip in the swimming pool where they still couldn't keep their hands off each other

Defiant: Miley had previously insisted she didn't view her marriage to actor Liam as traditional and described their union as 'confusing, complex and modern' in an interview with Elle magazine last month

Kaitlynn and Miley seemed unphased by those who were watching them get cosy, as they relaxed together in the sunny weather.

Liam is yet to comment on the split and he was spotted in Byron Bay, Australia, with his famous brother Chris, who will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, earlier this week on Monday.

Miley has been eagerly documenting her trip with Kaitlynn on social media and that has included parading her toned figure in a slew of bikini snaps.

Open: In the candid chat, Miley, who identifies as pansexual, stated: 'I think it’s very confusing to people that I’m married. But my relationship is unique.'

Truth: 'And 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...'

Speaking out: Miley added: 'I mean, do people really think that I’m at home in a f**king apron cooking dinner? I’m in a hetero relationship, but I still am very sexually attracted to women...'

Where it went wrong: Signs Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth's split was coming The couple were not planning to have children In mid-July, Miley tearily and publicly declared she wouldn't be having babies with her husband. While the singer attributed her decision to the dangers of global warming, observers and fans wondered if there was more to the story. In mid-July, Miley declared she wouldn't be having babies with her husband Her sexuality In a recent interview with ELLE, Miley stated that she was very much still attracted to women. 'I'm in a hetero relationship, but I still am very sexually attracted to women... I definitely don’t fit into a stereotypical wife role. I don’t even like that word.' In a recent interview with ELLE, Miley stated 'I definitely don’t fit into a stereotypical wife role. I don’t even like that word.' His missing ring In possibly the biggest red flag about the status of the couple's relationship, Liam was spotted without his wedding ring in July, just days after Miley's Glastonbury announcement that she's 'f***ing sick of men'. Liam was spotted looking glum while picking up a coffee by himself in LA – with his ring finger noticeably bare. On August 3, the hunky young Hemsworth brother posted a promotional video to his Instagram for a coffee brand, where he was conspicuously ring-free. On August 3, the hunky young Hemsworth brother posted a promotional video to his Instagram, and there too he is conspicuously ring-free And her missing ring Miley was also spotted without her wedding ring in a slew of Instagram snaps uploaded to her page over the past few days, up to hours before news of the couple's split was confirmed. On Saturday, the Party In The USA hitmaker uploaded a photo of herself on holiday in Italy without her famous cushion-cut diamond engagement ring and wedding band. The singer's 97M followers took to the comments section to ask why she wasn't wearing her sparkler. 'Where is her wedding ring?' one wrote, while a different concerned fan added: 'She's not wearing her ring wtf!??' On Saturday, the Party In The USA hitmaker uploaded a photo of herself on holiday in Italy without her engagement ring or wedding band Advertisement

Miley had previously insisted that she didn't view her marriage to actor Liam as traditional, and described their union as 'confusing, complex and modern' in an interview with Elle magazine last month.

In the candid chat, Miley, who identifies as pansexual, stated that people find it 'confusing' that she is married, but insisted at the time that their relationship was 'unique'.

She said: 'And 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**king apron cooking dinner? I’m in a hetero relationship, but I still am very sexually attracted to women...

'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.'

Sizzling: Miley was parading her incredible figure in the black Versace bikini as she relaxed on the Italian getaway

Beautiful: Miley jetted to Italy with Kaitlynn just days before it was announced she had split from husband Liam

Shocking: News of their split will come as a huge shock to fans, given the singer's on-off relationship since 2010 with the Australian actor

The kiss also comes after Kaitlynn recently split from The Hills star Brody Jenner after a year of marriage.

It was revealed when they broke up that the pair were never legally wed in the US, despite a wedding ceremony over seas in Bali, Indonesia.

Brody's rep, Scott Newman, confirmed that the son of Caitlyn Jenner and Kaitlynn had 'decided to amicably separate.'

He also stated that, 'they love and respect one another, and know that this is the best decision for their relationship moving forward.'

Brody, 35, appeared to waste no time mourning the relationship as he was spotted partying with a slew of young women just days after the announcement while DJing at Tao Beach Club in Las Vegas.

Done: The kiss also came after Kaitlynn recently split from The Hills star Brody after a year of marriage

Bikini babes: Miley and Kaitlynn were enjoying a relaxing dip in the swimming pool in Italy

Single: It was revealed when they broke up that Kaitlynn and Brody were never legally wed in the US, despite a wedding ceremony over seas in Bali, Indonesia

Finished: Brody's rep, Scott Newman, confirmed that the son of Caitlyn Jenner and Kaitlynn 'decided to amicably separate'

Fun time: Brody had appeared to waste no time mourning the relationship as he was spotted partying with a slew of young women just days after his split with Kaitlynn while DJing at Tao Beach Club in Las Vegas

Brutal: Brody's The Hills: New Beginnings co-star, Spencer Pratt, opened up about the pair's breakup, revealing on his podcast, Make Speidi Famous Again, that he knew they were on the rocks

Brody's The Hills: New Beginnings co-star, Spencer Pratt, opened up about the pair's breakup, revealing on his podcast, Make Speidi Famous Again, that he knew they were on the rocks.

'I'm not surprised,' he said while talking opposite wife Heidi Montag, 'I feel like I said it — maybe it hasn't aired yet — but that he almost was like a hostage. It felt like he was trying to tell me, "Get me out. Get me out."'

Brody and Kaitlynn announced their engagement back in 2016 and married almost two years later.

The Hills reboot has seen the pair showcase their rocky marriage, even leading to fans speculating they have an open relationship.

Former flames: Brody and Kaitlynn announced their engagement back in 2016 and married almost two years later (pictured in July 2014)