Billy Ray Cyrus breaks his silence with coded message for his son Trace and Australian ex-wife Firerose: 'Let this moment be the start of healing'
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Billy Ray Cyrus has broken his silence with a poignant message after his contentious 2024 divorce from Firerose and concerns raised by his son Trace.
Firerose, 36, revealed she 'prayed for him every day' following the country crooner's controversial performance during the Trump inaugural celebrations, while Trace, 35, issued an impassioned public plea for his dad to get some help.
The Achy Breaky Heart singer, 63, stumbled through his performance at the Liberty Ball last week, causing organisers to shut down his sound and lighting.
The singer was left to wander around the stage in an apparent state of confusion.
Taking to YouTube Shorts on Tuesday, Billy Ray uploaded a clip from the music video to his 2009 song Somebody Said A Prayer.
Trace, who was adopted at age four by Billy Ray and ex-wife Tish Cyrus-Purcell's biological son, also starred in the music video.
Billy Ray Cyrus (right) has broken his silence with a poignant message after his contentious 2024 divorce from Firerose (left) and concerns raised by his son Trace
In his full caption, he wrote: 'Sunday callin. Giving thanks for the California Rain. Praying for the brokenhearted and their pain.
'Praying for my family. For my children… sons and daughters… and their mother. Let this moment be the start of healing for us all. "The past does not equal the future." Amen.'
Trace has since revealed his father has threatened him with legal action following his pleas for him to 'open up and receive the help'.
In a statement released on Instagram Saturday, Trace addressed the issue, writing directly to his 63-year-old father.
'Dad my message was beyond loving,' the Dark Road singer began.
'I could have been extremely honest about a lot more but I don't want to put your business out there like that,' he wrote, adding, 'But for you to threaten me with legal action for wanting you to get help is a disgrace.'
Perhaps referring to his paternal grandfather, Trace continued: 'Pappy is looking down at you with such disappointment I can assure you. You should be ashamed of yourself.'
'I will always love you but I no longer respect you as a man. Everyone close to you is terrified to tell you how they really feel. I'm not. Get help,' he concluding tagging his dad in the message.
Taking to YouTube Shorts on Tuesday, Billy Ray uploaded a clip from the music video to his 2009 song Somebody Said A Prayer. Trace, who was adopted at age four by Billy Ray and ex-wife Tish Cyrus-Purcell's biological son, starred in the music video
Trace (left), 35, issued an impassioned public plea for his dad to get some help following the country crooner's controversial performance during the Trump inaugural celebrations
The Achy Breaky Heart singer, 63, stumbled through his performance at the Liberty Ball last week, causing organisers to shut down his sound and lighting
In the comments, Trace asked his fans to 'send my dad some words of encouragement guys!! I have faith the man we all once knew is still in there somewhere. We gotta get him back ❤️'
In his Instagram Stories, Trace posted two flashback photos, one marked 'Father's Day 2022.' The Prescriptions singer shared a photo of him and his dad walking in a field.
'I'd say this was the last good day I had with my dad,' he wrote.
Another snap shows Billy Ray getting a vaccination wearing a black T-shirt with the words, 'Jesus is my Booster.'
'Ohhh the irony,' Trace wrote across the picture.
Below he explained, 'For all of you wondering no I still haven't heard from my dad. He did contact a family member to let me know he's taking legal action against me for encouraging him to get help.'
'Dad I live 30 minutes away from your. You could've just come & talked to me like a man.'
On Tuesday's Kyle & Jackie O radio show, Firerose revealed that what people witnessed during Billy Ray's bizarre inaugural performance was 'reflective' of her experience with the country star.
In response to Billy Ray's reaction to his previous post, Trace shared this message to his father, telling him 'I will always love you,' but calling him out for his actions
The musician also included a throwback photo when he was younger as he excitedly joined Billy on stage
It was this message the reportedly drew the anger of the country crooner. '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 wrote
Billy Ray Cyrus' ex-wife Firerose revealed she 'prayed for him every day' following the country star's controversial performance during the Trump inauguration celebrations
'Honestly, what I experienced behind closed doors for years is very reflective of what everyone is seeing now,' she said.
'I'm extremely grateful to God for getting me out of that situation.'
When host Kyle Sandilands asked Firerose if Billy Ray had experienced a 'fall from grace', she doubled down in her assessment of her ex.
'What you guys see is, is just very evident, like, of the situation. I think everyone can just trust their own eyes and ears,' she said.
'And it's a very sad situation, honestly. I tried with all my soul to help him for years.'
Firerose added that she never thought, when first meeting Billy Ray back in 2010, that the couple's relationship would become so fractious.
'We actually met on the set of Hannah Montana. I was walking out of an audition. it was in 2010, so I was 22 years old, and we became friends,' she said.
'The truth is that I just never could have imagined, you know, all these years later, everything that's transpired.'
Trace said he is not the only one worried about Billy Ray. 'Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you've pushed all of us away,' he said. (Seen here with siblings Miley Cyrus; Trace (far left) mom Tish, and sister Brandi in 2019 in Las Vegas)
Firerose said that she wished nothing but the best for Billy Ray.
'I wish him all the best. I prayed for him every day,' she said.
'I just pray that he finds the blessing of faith. That if he can just connect with Jesus, then I know there's hope for him.'
Speaking with Page Six last week, Firerose echoed the sentiment, admitting she was 'glad' the truth was coming to light.
'It’s very sad to see those same struggles continue for him,' she said.
'I’m glad the truth is coming to light — for his potential good because healing is only possible when you confront the truth and accept there’s a problem.
'For me, I remain focused on my faith, my music, my healing and using my story to encourage others to find strength and hope.'
The Sydney-born singer's marriage to Billy Ray ended in August 2024, after seven months of marriage.
The Sydney-born singer's marriage to Billy Ray ended in August 2024, after seven months of marriage
Billy Ray and Firerose's marriage was short-lived and reportedly volatile. Both accused the other of emotional, verbal and psychological abuse in court papers leading up to their divorce
The couple were together for four years prior to their wedding, and during their divorce proceedings, both made allegations of abuse.
Billy's son Trace - whose sisters are Miley, Brandi and Noah - also penned a lengthy open letter following Billy's shambolic inauguration set.
'Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever,' Trace wrote.
'I wanted to be just like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life.
'Sadly the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognise now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it's become obvious to everyone but you.
Trace was correct when he wrote, 'You may be upset with me for posting this.'
'I really could care less at this point,' he said adding, 'Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you've pushed all of us away,' he added of his siblings - including pop star Miley Cyrus and indie rocker daughter Noah Cyrus.
Billy Ray and Tish divorced in 2022 and he quickly married Australian singer-songwriter Firerose (legal name Johanna Rosie Hodges) in 2023.
The marriage was short-lived and reportedly volatile. Both accused the other of emotional, verbal and psychological abuse in court papers leading up to their divorce a year later.