Billy Ray Cyrus made headlines this week with his performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration, but not in the way he might have hoped. Despite being one of the many celebrities who expressed support for the Republican Party, including Carrie Underwood and Kid Rock, Cyrus’ performance faced technical difficulties that made an already awkward situation even worse. The sound system failed, and Billy Ray was left to improvise. He tried an a capella version of “Old Town Road,” followed by his signature hit “Achy Breaky Heart.” Unfortunately, without his guitar and with no sound, the performance turned into a disaster. At one point, Cyrus addressed the audience with a sarcastic, “Y’all want me to sing more, or do you want me to get the hell off stage? Either way, I don’t give a damn.”
However, it was his son Trace Cyrus’ reaction to the performance that has captured more attention. Trace, who has been estranged from his father for some time, posted an emotional letter on Instagram expressing concern for Billy Ray’s well-being. He recalled how much he admired his father growing up, but now felt that the man he once looked up to was someone he barely recognized. In his letter, Trace mentioned how the whole family, including his sisters Miley, Brandi, and Noah, had been worried about Billy Ray for years, but he had pushed them all away. He also mentioned his own journey to sobriety, which he said had made him feel amazing, and expressed a desire to help his father, should he be willing to accept it.
This emotional plea comes amidst the backdrop of ongoing Cyrus family drama. Billy Ray and his wife Tish filed for divorce in 2022, and shortly after, Billy Ray started a relationship with Australian musician Firerose, marrying her in 2023. However, their marriage ended just seven months later, and a disturbing audio clip surfaced in which Billy Ray made derogatory comments about his ex-wife, Firerose, and his children. Miley’s absence from Billy Ray’s wedding to Firerose further fueled rumors of an estranged relationship between father and daughter.
Billy Ray has yet to publicly respond to Trace’s heartfelt message, leaving fans to wonder whether the family will reconcile. The situation highlights the strain that public life, personal struggles, and family dynamics have had on the Cyrus family over the years.