Trace Cyrus has reached out publicly to his adoptive father, Billy Ray Cyrus, to encourage him to seek the help he needs. This came after Billy Ray’s performance at the Liberty Ball sparked concern among his family.
The 63-year-old singer, known for his hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” was part of the Liberty Ball lineup on January 20. Unfortunately, his performance attracted negative attention.
Days later, on January 22, Trace Cyrus took to Instagram to express his worries about his father’s well-being, sharing an old photo of the two on stage together.
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve always looked up to you and thought you were the coolest,” Trace shared. “Being adopted by Billy Ray was the happiest day of my life,” he reminisced.
However, Trace now finds his father “barely recognizable” and believes that the world has taken its toll on him.
He added, “Even if you’re upset with me for posting this publicly, I don’t mind anymore. We’ve, especially my sisters and I, been concerned about you for years but you’ve distanced yourself from us.”
Trace referred to his sister, Brandi, and his half-sisters, Noah and Miley, all of whom have close ties with Billy Ray, with Miley achieving fame alongside him on “Hannah Montana.”
The siblings were brought together when Billy Ray adopted Trace and Brandi following his marriage to Trish Cyrus. The couple had their own children, including Miley, Noah, and Braison. After divorcing in 2022, the family continued their concerns for Billy Ray.
Trace highlighted Noah’s yearning for a stronger relationship with their dad: “Noah’s been wanting you to be part of her life, but you’ve not been there. She deserves your attention and care.”
In his heartfelt appeal, Trace makes it clear that his message is born out of love and fear of losing his father. While he is unsure of the specific struggles Billy Ray is facing, Trace is eager to provide support if given the chance.
“As I pen these words with tears, I want you to know I am here for you, just like always,” Trace added. “Even without specifics, I have an inkling of the challenges you face and wish to assist if you’ll accept it.”
Until then, Trace promised to continue praying for his father.
Amidst all this, Billy Ray’s performance at the event was notably problematic. He encountered technical difficulties and seemed low on energy, prompting concern.
The Liberty Ball, part of the inaugural celebrations for President Donald Trump, didn’t go as planned for Billy Ray. During the performance, addressing the issues, he remarked, “In life, you continue on despite technical difficulties, or as President Trump might say, ‘You fight,’”.
Billy Ray later defended his performance through a statement shared publicly, acknowledging the honor of performing despite equipment failures.
The country singer shared a video of the performance on his Instagram with the caption: “This was the most fun I had at the Liberty Ball! You had to be there to experience it.”
Concluding his message, Billy Ray referenced his classic lyrics, adding, “I just don’t think you understand,” alluding to “Achy Breaky Heart.”