Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
Billy Ray Cyrus seems to have responded to his ex-wife and children's pleas for him to "get help."
The country singer, 63, posted a YouTube Short on Sunday, January 26, in which he expressed hope for "healing" amid his fractured family. The Short was a clip from his music video for his song "Somebody Said A Prayer." The video features his son, Trace Cyrus.
In the caption of the Short, the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer 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." This marks the first time that the singer has publicly addressed the conflict in his large family.
After Billy Ray's performance at the Liberty Ball for Donald Trump's inauguration, which was plagued with technical difficulties, his 35-year-old son Trace posted an open letter to his father on Instagram, expressing concern for his well-being. "Sadly the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognize now," wrote the Metro Station frontman. "It seems this world has beaten you down and it's become obvious to everyone but you. 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." ("The girls" presumably refers to Trace's sisters, Brandi, Noah, and Miley Cyrus.)
Billy Ray shares three biological children -- Miley, 32, Braison, 30, and Noah, 25 -- with his ex-wife Tish Cyrus. Billy Ray also adopted Tish's children from her previous relationship, Trace and 37-year-old Brandi. He also has a son, Christopher, 32, from his relationship with Kristin Luckey.
On Saturday, January 25, Trace posted another public message aimed at his father, saying that Billy Ray had "threaten[ed him] with legal action." Trace went on to call his father "a disgrace."
On the other hand, Braison Cyrus told People on Monday, January 27 that he doesn't have "any bad feelings toward anyone in [his] family." The father and son announced on Friday, January 24 that Billy Ray is releasing a new album, which Braison produced.