Tyler Hubbard Shares New Insight Into Florida Georgia Line Breakup

To this day, Tyler Hubbard insists Florida Georgia Line’s breakup with Brian Kelley wasn’t as wild as some fans think it was.

“This only became big and dramatic on the Internet,” Hubbard, 38, shared on the Wednesday, December 17 episode of the “Human School” podcast. “There’s not a good guy, bad guy in this equation. There’s not a right or a wrong. Everyone wants to do that on the Internet. They want to say, ‘right, wrong, good guy, bad guy. Team BK, Team T-Hub.’ It’s not even like that.”

Instead, Hubbard explained his perspective on why the country music duo decided to split in August 2022 after 12 years together.

According to Hubbard, Kelley, 40, wanted to start a solo music career while still keeping Florida Georgia Line strong. Although Hubbard was supportive of his friend’s solo album ambitions, he didn’t think Kelley could balance that and Florida Georgia Line.

“BK stuck to his convictions and led with his gut and decided to make a decision based on his passion,” Hubbard explained. “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.”

In a candid podcast interview with host Miles Adcox, Hubbard offered some more context behind the headlines.

Keep reading to hear some of Hubbard’s reflections, including his thoughts on repairing his friendship with Kelley.

Tyler Hubbard ‘Begged’ Brian Kelley Not to Leave Florida Georgia Line 

To this day, Hubbard still remembers the private chats he had with Kelley about their musical dreams and aspirations for the future.

“We had a really good conversation for, like, an hour. I was able to be really honest. He was able to be really honest,” Hubbard recalled. “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.’ [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.”

Kelley ultimately released a solo album in June 2021 titled Sunshine State Of Mind.

Tyler Hubbard Regrets Unfollowing Brian Kelley 

In November 2020 — when fans didn’t officially know that Florida Georgia Line was splitting — Hubbard made headlines when he unfollowed his bandmate on Instagram.

“I do regret unfollowing BK publicly at one point of this whole scenario because that also fed this narrative and blew this whole thing out of proportion when it was really unnecessary,” he said in his latest podcast interview. “That was naive on my behalf and irresponsible and also definitely emotionally charged.”

Hubbard ultimately refollowed Kelley days later.

Tyler Hubbard Insists Florida Georgia Line Breakup Wasn’t Political

At the time of the 2020 Election, fans speculated that Hubbard and Kelley had different political views, which hurt their personal and professional relationship.

According to Hubbard, Florida Georgia Line’s breakup had “nothing to do with politics.”

“Me and BK and FGL dynamic had not one thing to do with politics,” he explained. “But during the political tension — it was around the election — and BK had become very vocal with his political views, even though we had decided way early on in our career that we’re not a political band. We’re not ever going to talk about politics. Nobody wants to become the Dixie Chicks. Let’s just make music and party. That’s what we do.”

Tyler Hubbard’s Relationship With Brian Kelley Today 

Despite all the online chatter and past headlines, Hubbard said there’s “nothing” he and BK aren’t aligned on “except the fact that he thinks we can do both [solo careers and Florida Georgia Line] and I don’t think we can.”

“I hadn’t spoken to BK a lot in the last couple years, but we’re going on a hike next week,” he shared. “The way I see it is I have a desire for that friendship. I miss the guy that I was partners with for 10 years. I miss my old roommate, my best man on my wedding.”

While Hubbard acknowledged that they may not become best bros, he argued that “we should have a relationship.”

“It doesn’t have to be what it was. It doesn’t have to equal FGL doing anything, but we need to repair and spend some time together face to face and just walk and talk, hang and go fishing or get a guitar out,” he added. “Enough time has gone by. What’s happened has happened, but there hasn’t been any real repair at all. What I’m hungry for is, let me get my friend back.”