Billy Ray Cyrus’ son Trace Cyrus has shared an emotional message to his father.
Trace, 35, posted a throwback photo of himself on stage with his father via Instagram on Wednesday, January 22. Alongside the photo, Trace wrote an emotional caption that centered around his famous father, offering him support amid the issues he might be “struggling with.”
“Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever,” he wrote. “I wanted to be just like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life.”
In the emotional post, Trace detailed the way Billy Ray has changed in his eyes, admitting that he and “the girls,” including sister Noah Cyrus, are worried about their dad. (Billy Ray has six children. He adopted Trace and Brandi, 37, the biological children of ex-wife Tish Cyrus. He welcomed Miley, 32, Braison, 30, and Noah, 25, during his relationship with Tish. He also shares son Christopher Cody, 32, with Kristen Luckey.)
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“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 continued.
He added, “You may be upset with me for posting this but I really could care less at this point. 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. Somehow just like me she still idolizes you though.”
Trace went on to add that he and the rest of Billy Ray’s loved ones have noticed the “Old Town Road” singer has been struggling recently.
“We are all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew & hoping for the day he returns. 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,” he wrote. “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. We haven’t talked in a while but I’m over a year and half clean from alcohol. Guess what? I feel amazing..”
Trace concluded the post by publicly extending an offer of help to his dad.
“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. Billyraycyrus,” he wrote. (Us Weekly has reached out to Billy Ray Cyrus’ team for comment.)
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Billy Ray has been a fixture in the headlines in the past year, most notably for his messy divorce from Firerose, which was finalized in August 2024. A month prior, leaked audio and texts from a fight with Firerose, during which he appeared to slam his ex-wife Tish and daughter Miley also put him under the spotlight. Meanwhile, when Miley won her first Grammy in February 2024, she omitted Billy Ray’s name in her acceptance speech, fueling rumors of a feud between the pair.
Trace’s emotional plea came shortly after Billy Ray performed at the Liberty Ball on Monday, January 20, in honor of President Donald Trump’s inauguration. He sang “Achy Breaky Heart” after experiencing technical difficulties, but the performance received mixed reviews. Billy Ray responded to the criticism via social media on Wednesday, claiming, “You just had to be there.”
