
Back in the early ‘90s, Billy Ray Cyrus was a household name, famous for two things—his chart-topping hit Achy Breaky Heart and his signature mullet. With his career skyrocketing, it seemed like he was destined for country music stardom. While none of his later songs matched the massive success of Achy Breaky Heart, his sophomore album It Won’t Be the Last delivered a few hits that kept him relevant. However, by the time his third album dropped, his momentum had slowed, and his music struggled to make an impact on the charts.
Despite the decline, Billy Ray remained in the public eye by starring in Disney’s Hannah Montana alongside his daughter, Miley Cyrus. The show’s success introduced him to a new generation of fans, but it wasn’t until his unexpected collaboration with Lil Nas X on Old Town Road that he truly reemerged as a pop culture phenomenon. Just when it seemed like Billy Ray had cemented his comeback, a controversial performance at Donald Trump’s inaugural ball in 2025 raised serious concerns about his well-being.
Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance that left fans worried
According to PBS, Billy Ray’s 12-minute performance was anything but smooth. He kicked things off by mumbling through Old Town Road as a backing track played, with the original music video awkwardly looping in the background. When the song ended, he finally started singing live, but his gruff voice caught fans off guard. Things only got worse when he attempted to perform Achy Breaky Heart—only to run into technical difficulties.
“Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off,” the Could’ve Been Me singer was overheard saying to someone backstage. Unable to fix the issue, Billy Ray resorted to singing a cappella before making a hasty exit. The bizarre spectacle left fans deeply concerned, but they weren’t the only ones. His own children were reportedly alarmed by the incident, fueling speculation about a family rift that had been brewing behind the scenes.
Billy Ray Cyrus’ kids also spoke on the matter
The Cyrus family drama quickly escalated when Billy Ray’s son, Trace Cyrus, broke his silence just two days after the performance. In a candid Instagram post, Trace expressed his deep disappointment, reminiscing about idolizing his father as a child.
“Since my earliest memories, all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever… Sadly, the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like, I barely recognize now,” Trace wrote.
He went on to suggest that substance use may be at the root of Billy Ray’s struggles, revealing that he himself had been sober for over a year. In a plea to his father, he urged him to seek help. “I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly, but I think I have a pretty good idea. I’d love to help if you would open up and receive it,” he added.
But what happened next shocked everyone.
Billy Ray Cyrus involved legal threats into the matter
Instead of responding with gratitude or understanding, Billy Ray allegedly reacted with hostility. The next day, Trace took to Instagram once again, revealing that his father had threatened him with legal action for speaking out.
“Dad, my message was beyond loving. I could have been extremely honest about a lot more, but I don’t want to put your business out there like that,” Trace wrote. “But for you to threaten me with legal action for wanting you to get help is a disgrace.”
Trace didn’t hold back, making it clear that he no longer respected his father. He even claimed that people close to Billy Ray were afraid to be honest with him about his downward spiral. “Everyone close to you is terrified to tell you how they really feel. I’m not. Get help,” he urged.
Fans echoed Trace’s concerns, with one commenting, “We miss our Disney dad. Praying you get help. We care.”
What’s Next for Billy Ray Cyrus?
As tensions between Billy Ray and his children continue to unfold in the public eye, fans are left wondering—what happened to the country star who once captured America’s heart? His career has seen multiple ups and downs, but this latest chapter suggests deeper personal struggles that may take more than another hit song to fix.
With his family publicly calling him out and his reputation taking a hit, is there a redemption arc in store for Billy Ray Cyrus? Or has he alienated the people who once supported him the most? Only time will tell.