Showbiz

Billy Ray Cyrus breaks silence on disastrous performance at Donald Trump inauguration

Billy Ray Cyrus breaks silence on disastrous performance at Donald Trump inauguration

Billy Ray Cyrus has broken his silence after being roundly mocked for his disastrous appearance at Donald Trump’s inaugural ball.

The country singer, 62, was panned over his outing at the Liberty Ball Washington, D.C. following in the swearing-in of the new president.

He was targeted by social media users over issues including the authenticity of his performance, which was plagued with technical difficulties – after Carrie Underwood also saw glitches impact her rendition of America The Beautiful.

Now Cyrus, 63, has issued a statement addressing his own botched stage show, which included his songs Old Town Road and Achy Breaky Heart.

‘I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not,’ he defiantly told People.

‘I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me. 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.’

Billy Ray Cyrus has broken his silence after being roundly roasted for his disastrous appearance at Donald Trump's inaugural ball

Billy Ray Cyrus has broken his silence after being roundly roasted for his disastrous appearance at Donald Trump’s inaugural ball 

He concluded his statement by putting a positive spin on the debacle, declaring: ‘I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!!!’

During the Liberty Ball, following a performance of the song Old Town Road, Cyrus could be heard discussing technical issues with the stage crew.

Read More Miley Cyrus’ mom and sister seemingly SHADE her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth on family’s podcast article image

He was heard saying, ‘Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. I don’t hear my guitar anymore.’

Cyrus at one point gestured to his guitar and asked crew members, ‘Is anyone awake?’

He continued, ‘I don’t hear it? Do ya’ll hear it? Is anyone back there? Can somebody turn my guitar back on? We’re going to sing a bit more.’

At one point, a frustrated Cyrus conceded he was losing interest in continuing to perform.

‘Y’all want me to sing more or you just want me to get the hell of the stage?’ he said. ‘I don’t give a damn.’

After a technician remedied the situation, Cyrus referenced the Commander in Chief, saying, ‘When you have technical difficulties you got to just keep going – or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!’

The veteran country singer, 62, was panned over his outing at the Liberty Ball at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. hours after the inauguration

The veteran country singer, 62, was panned over his outing at the Liberty Ball at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. hours after the inauguration 

In another awkward sequence, Cyrus' silhouette was seen walking around on the stage while the music played behind him

In another awkward sequence, Cyrus’ silhouette was seen walking around on the stage while the music played behind him 

In another awkward sequence, Cyrus’ silhouette was seen walking around on the stage while the music played behind him. 

‘That is just plain embarrᴀssing,’ one social media user said. ‘What, Milli Vanilli wasn’t available?’

Social media users appeared to be disappointed in the technically-hindered performance in their feedback, with one user called the outing ‘possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history.’

One user said it was ‘so embarrᴀssing’ watching Cyrus was ‘giving a trainwreck performance’ Monday as he was ‘clearly lip-syncing’ and disheveled in appearance.

After a technician fixed Cyrus' guitar, he said, 'When you have technical difficulties you got to just keep going - or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!'

After a technician fixed Cyrus’ guitar, he said, ‘When you have technical difficulties you got to just keep going – or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!’

The nature of criticism at Cyrus for his outing Monday did not appear to be politically-driven, as supporters of the incoming president lobbed insults in his direction

The nature of criticism at Cyrus for his outing Monday did not appear to be politically-driven, as supporters of the incoming president lobbed insults in his direction

One user noted how both Cyrus and Underwood were impacted by glitches

One user noted how both Cyrus and Underwood were impacted by glitches 

Social media users appeared to be disappointed in the technically-hindered performance in their feedback

Social media users appeared to be disappointed in the technically-hindered performance in their feedback 

The user noted that it appeared Cyrus was ‘bizarrely [wandering] around the stage,’ adding, ‘How embarrᴀssing for him.’ 

Another person said the musical artist didn’t seem to understand that wore out his welcome, writing, ‘OMG – Billy Ray Cyrus isn’t leaving.’

The nature of criticism at Cyrus for his outing Monday did not appear to be politically-driven, as supporters of the incoming president lobbed insults in his direction.

‘I’m embarrᴀssed for you @billyraycyrus,’ one user said. ‘This is a disgrace to our President and our country get off [the] stage.’

Another said, ‘I just watched them try to pull him off stage for 5 mins … they even killed the lights on him. Thank you Fox for filming that entire scene. Had me crying.’

Asked one user: ‘Can Trump pardon Billy Ray Cyrus for this performance tonight? Wow.’ 

Related Posts

Paddy McGuinness reveals his secret celebrity crush amid claims his ex Christine ‘exchanged flirty texts’ with Dan Osborne

Paddy McGuinness reveals his secret celebrity crush amid claims his ex Christine ‘exchanged flirty texts’ with Dan Osborne

Paddy McGuinness has confessed who his very unexpected celebrity crush is during an episode of Celebrity Gogglebox on Friday.  The former Top Gear host, 51, was watching Celebrity…

BREAKING NEWS
Atlantic Starr singer Wayne Lewis tragically pᴀsses away aged 68 as tribute pour in for the R&B legend and ‘voice of a generation’

BREAKING NEWS Atlantic Starr singer Wayne Lewis tragically pᴀsses away aged 68 as tribute pour in for the R&B legend and ‘voice of a generation’

Atlantic Starr’s Wayne Lewis has tragically pᴀssed away aged 68 the band have announced as heartbroken fans paid tribute.  The singer and keyboard player was a founding member…

Marnie Simpson insists she has ‘no regrets’ over stripping off on OnlyFans and vows to continue while she’s ‘young’ as she fires back at mum-shamers

Marnie Simpson insists she has ‘no regrets’ over stripping off on OnlyFans and vows to continue while she’s ‘young’ as she fires back at mum-shamers

Marnie Simpson has insisted that she has ‘no regrets’ over stripping off on OnlyFans as she fired back at mum-shamers. The Georgie Shore star, 33, who is currently…

Maura Higgins ‘replaced as host of Love Island USA Aftersun after just one series as familiar face takes her place’

Maura Higgins ‘replaced as host of Love Island USA Aftersun after just one series as familiar face takes her place’

Maura Higgins has reportedly been replaced as host of Love Island USA’s spin-off series Aftersun after just one series. The Irish beauty, 34, was also social media presenter…

Victoria Beckham puts on a brave face as she demonstrates her summer make-up look amid ongoing feud with son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz

Victoria Beckham puts on a brave face as she demonstrates her summer make-up look amid ongoing feud with son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz

Victoria Beckham put on a brave face on Friday as she demonstrated her summer make-up look amid her bitter ongoing family feud. The former Spice Girl, 51, and…

Benidorm star confesses they are ‘close to living in a cardboard box’ seven years after the ITV comedy show ended

Benidorm star confesses they are ‘close to living in a cardboard box’ seven years after the ITV comedy show ended

Benidorm star Crissy Rock has confessed she now lives like a ‘nomad’ and could find herself in a ‘cardboard box’ seven years after the ITV show ended. The…