‘Niley for life’: Miley Cyrus on how break up with Priyanka Chopra’s husband Nick Jonas affected her deeply; how lingering love and nostalgia blurs boundaries

Miley and Nick dated as teenagers between 2006 and 2007 and briefly rekindled things in 2009. As for the reason behind their split, she revealed, “Part of the reason we broke up was that he was going on tour with his band instead of taking me as his opening act. He was, like, separating himself from the Disney thing, and I wanted him to take me on the tour. Like, ‘Why don’t we do it together? I don’t understand why you’re leaving me.” 

Years later, Miley says, “He’s married with children. We’re all moving on. Everything is good in the world.” Reminiscing about the good times, she fondly recalled the nickname fans gave her and Nick during their dating days, and to their delight, added, “Niley for life.”

Nostalgia vs. unresolved emotions

Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing reflects on Cyrus’s words and tells indianexpress.com, “Romantic feelings can linger long after a relationship ends because love isn’t just about the other person — it’s also about how we felt in their presence. So when it ends, what stays isn’t always the person, but the memory of who we were with them. That’s why even years later, a passing thought or memory can stir deep emotions — it reminds us of a part of ourselves we once connected to through them.”

 

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It’s not always easy to tell whether this is real longing or just nostalgia, adds Baruah. “One way to check is to ask: do I miss them, or do I miss the time, the feeling, the safety, or the version of me that existed back then? If the feelings return during periods of change, loneliness, or uncertainty, it might be more about something unresolved inside — like needing closure, grieving an old part of life, or holding on to a fantasy. Letting go doesn’t always mean forgetting; sometimes it means understanding what that relationship represented and gently reclaiming those parts of ourselves.”

How important is it to set healthy boundaries and maintain individual identities in a relationship

Miley struggled to understand Nick’s decision to separate their careers, saying, “I don’t understand why you’re leaving me.” Baruah notes that in the early years of love — especially during adolescence or early adulthood — it’s common to blur the line between “me” and “us.” 

“The intensity of closeness can make it feel like any distance or differentiation is a form of rejection. But learning to hold space for intimacy and individuality is a key part of emotional maturity. When one partner chooses to focus on their career or personal growth, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are leaving the other; it might mean they are trying to stay connected to themselves,” shares Baruah.

Healthy boundaries are not about creating walls but about making room for two whole people to exist in a relationship. Especially during formative years, maintaining individuality helps partners support each other more authentically, without losing themselves. This kind of love often stands on more solid ground.