Trace Cyrus Pens Emotional Open Letter To Billy Ray Cyrus: ‘We Are All Hanging On To Memories Of The Man We Once Knew’
“You’re not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it,” Trace urged.
Trace Cyrus; Photo via Instagram, Billy Ray Cyrus; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Trace Cyrus penned a heartbreaking open letter to his dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, following his performance at the Liberty Ball as part of President Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities earlier this week.
Trace is Billy Ray’s adopted son, whose mother is Billy Ray’s ex-wife Tish. In his message, Trace recalled growing up idolizing Billy Ray and how his perception of him has changed in recent years.
“Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever. I wanted to be just like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life,” he shared. “Sadly the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognize now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you.”
Trace, who is best known for his time in the band Metro Station, admitted that he knew Billy Ray might be “upset” with him for posting the unfiltered message on social media, however, he said he “could care less at this point.”
He also mentioned his sisters—Brandi Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, and Noah Cyrus—and talked about their concerns for him. (Billy Ray also has a 32-year-old son, Christopher Cody Cyrus, from his previous relationship with Kristin Luckey, and a 30-year-old son, Braison Cyrus, with Tish, whom he divorced in 2022.)
“Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away. Noah desperately has wanted you to be a part of her life and you haven’t even been there for her. That’s your baby girl. She deserves better,” Trace urged. “Somehow just like me she still idolizes you though. We are all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew & hoping for the day he returns.”
As he continued, Trace expressed his hope that his dad would take his message to heart and seek the help he needs.
“You’re not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it. Just like I showed up for you at mamaws funeral when you didn’t expect me to I’m still here right now. As I write this with tears in my eyes I hope you realize this message only comes from a place of love and also fear that the world may lose you far too soon. I love you Dad,” he wrote. “We haven’t talked in a while but I’m over a year and half clean from alcohol. Guess what? I feel amazing.. I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly but I think I have a pretty good idea & I’d love to help you if you would open up and receive the help. You know how to reach me. Till that day comes I will continue to pray for you.”
The open letter was shared alongside a throwback photo of Trace and Billy Ray onstage together. The comments were turned off.
Trace’s letter to his father comes just days after he had heads scratching with a bizarre performance at the Liberty Ball. According to Billy Ray, he experienced technical difficulties, which led him to perform without a guitar or music.
“Check? Is anybody awake?” Cyrus asked from the stage.
“Y’all want me to sing more or you want me to just get the hell off the stage?” he later joked.
Admitting, “they told me to kill as much time as possible,” Cyrus then performed his seminal hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.” After struggling with getting his guitar to be heard.
“After what Carrie Underwood did today…wasn’t Carrie Underwood fabulous? Carrie Underwood, you were amazing today,” he said. “They had technical difficulties today too and in life when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going. Or as President Trump would say, ‘You gotta fight!”
According to the singer, he chose to have a show goes on mindset, and kept with it despite the issues with the sound.
“I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me,” he wrote on Instagram. “I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night and I’ve learned through all these years when the producer says ‘you’re on,’ you go entertain the folks even if the equipment goes to hell. I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!!!”
He later told his followers, “This was the most fun part of the Liberty Ball! And if you didn’t see it… you just had to be there. ‘I just don’t think you understand..’”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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