Country star Tyler Hubbard is offering fresh insight into the breakup of Florida Georgia Line, the influential duo he formed with longtime friend Brian Kelley, revealing new layers to the story and his hopes for their personal relationship moving forward.
In candid comments on the lengthy episode of the “Human School” podcast on December 17, Hubbard delivered a thoughtful, human perspective on what led to the split and how he’s approaching life after one of country music’s most successful partnerships.
The duo — known for hits like” Cruise,” “This Is How We Roll” and “H.O.L.Y.” — announced an “indefinite hiatus” in 2022 after more than a decade of dominating country charts and shaping the sound of modern country music.
Since then, both artists have pursued solo careers, with Hubbard embracing a new chapter as a singer-songwriter beyond Florida Georgia Line.
The Reason for the Split
According to Hubbard’s recent interview, the breakup wasn’t driven by any dramatic feud or singular conflict, despite widespread speculation.
Instead, he described the decision as rooted in boundaries, timing and mutual creative evolution.
Hubbard said that the narrative he often sees online particularly suggests that the split was due to politics or personal clashes, which he told the host wasn’t the case.
He said that Kelley wanted to have a solo career and also maintain the band. While Hubbard was supportive, he didn’t believe that his friend could do both.
“BK stuck to his convictions and led with his gut and decided to make a decision based on his passion,” he said. “I set a boundary that I wasn’t willing to cross and it is what it is. We both accepted it way before the internet accepted it.”
He emphasized that neither he nor Kelley entered the breakup with ill intent, but rather with a desire to explore their individual paths while honoring what came before.
Hubbard added that he still remembers a coversation they had about the future.
“He just basically said, ‘Man, I’m really feeling called, like, this is the time for me to do this and I really need your support and want your support,’” Hubbard added. “[I said] ‘whatever you ultimately want to do, I want you to be happy and I want you to follow your gut and your heart and if that means not doing this, so be it. But I beg you to reconsider.’ That was not the path I wanted.”
Hubbard Looks Back on Their Friendship
But even as he forges ahead, Hubbard is candid about what he still values most: the friendship he shared with Kelley.
He revealed that communication between the two has been minimal in recent years.
He maintained there is only one thing the two do not allign on and that is having a solo career and the band at the same time.
Hubbard spoke openly about planning simple, personal activities like hikes and talks with Kelley — not necessarily to restart Florida Georgia Line, but to rebuild the bond that existed long before the duo’s fame.
““The way I see it is I have a desire for that friendship,” he said. “I miss the guy that I was partners with for 10 years. I miss my old roommate, my best man on my wedding.”
I just pray that Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley can come together and renew their beautiful friendship.🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼