Billy Ray Cyrus has ‘lost faith’ after his contentious 2024 divorce from Firerose and backlash over his performance at President Trump’s inauguration ball.

The Achy Breaky Heart singer, 63, stumbled through his performance at the Liberty Ball last week, causing organizers to shut down his sound and lighting, before Cyrus was left to wander around the stage in an apparent state of confusion. 

Despite blaming faulty equipment for the performance, Billy Ray’s son Trace pleaded with his father to ‘open up and receive the help’.

An insider told People the star was struggling with ‘doubt’ but focused on his career going forward.

He said: ‘There is a lot of heavy doubt and struggles with personal things, but also career-wise. The divorce was heavy for him. He lost faith.

‘He does best though when he’s able to focus on his music. Music is his life. He’s very focused on the new album right now. It’s a great project for him to stay busy.’

Billy Ray Cyrus has ‘lost faith’ after his contentious 2024 divorce from Firerose and backlash over his performance at President Trump’s inauguration ball – pictured with Firerose in 2023

The Achy Breaky Heart singer, 63, stumbled through his performance at the Liberty Ball last week, causing organizers to shut down his sound and lighting, before Cyrus was left to wander around the stage in an apparent state of confusion

The album will be a collaboration with his son Braison, 31.

Cyrus’ marriage to Firerose ended in August 2024, after seven months of marriage.  

The couple were together for four years prior to their wedding, and during their divorce proceedings, both made allegations of abuse. 

This comes after the country icon  seemingly extended an olive branch to his children by sharing a clip from his 2009 music video for his track, Somebody Said a Prayer.

‘Sunday callin,’ he captioned his post on TikTok. ‘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.’ 

He concluded his post by writing: “The past does not equal the future.” Amen.’ 

Billy Ray’s message was directed toward his ex-wife, Tish Cyrus, and their kids:  Brandi, 37, Trace, 35, Miley, 32, Braison, 30, and Noah, 25, as well as his son  Christopher, 32, who he shares with ex Kristin Luckey. 

The footage featured Trace, who Billy Ray adopted in 1993 after marrying Tish, playing a troubled teenager grieving the loss of his father.

An insider told People the star was struggling with ‘doubt’ but focused on his career going forward. He said: ‘There is a lot of heavy doubt and struggles with personal things, but also career-wise. The divorce was heavy for him. He lost faith’ – pictured with Firerose in 2024 

Amid reports that his daughter Miley Cyrus is doing her best not to get involved in the tense family drama, the country singer seemingly extended an olive branch to his children by sharing a clip from his 2009 music video for his track, Somebody Said a Prayer

‘Sunday callin,’ Billy Ray captioned his post on TikTok. ‘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’

Billy Ray’s message was directed toward his ex-wife, Tish Cyrus , and their kids: Brandi, 37, Trace, Miley, 32, Braison, 30, and Noah, 25, as well as his son Christopher, 32, who he shares with ex Kristin Luckey

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.

Read More Billy Ray Cyrus’ Aussie ex Firerose opens up about his ‘situation’ after ‘trainwreck’ performance

‘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.

‘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.’

Trace further wrote, ‘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.’ 

In his message, Trace also added, ‘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.’

The guitarist emotionally continued, ‘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.’

Trace then revealed that he has been sober for over one year by penning, ‘We haven’t talked in a while but I’m over a year and half clean from alcohol. Guess what? I feel amazing.’

In a statement released on his Instagram Story on Saturday, Trace claimed his dad had threatened him with legal action for posting his concern over his health and well-being

Billy Ray and Trace pictured together in 2022 on Father’s Day

‘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.’

Days after his post, Trace took to social media claiming his dad had threatened him with legal action. 

‘Dad my message was beyond loving,’ the Dark Road singer wrote in a statement, uploaded to his Instagram Story on Saturday.

‘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.’

In a statement released on Instagram last week, Trace released a message directly to his dad following his ‘trainwreck’ performance at the Trump inauguration

Trace continued: ‘Pappy is looking down at you with such disappointment I can ᴀssure 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.  

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 ❤️’

Amid the drama, a source told People that his daughter, Miley, has ‘no interest’ in reconciling with her father and that they haven’t had a relationship ‘for a long time.’

‘They got through the drama of 2024, and it’s a new year,’ the insider claimed. ‘Miley and Noah and Braison and Tish, they don’t want to be this Cyrus family feud. This is not enjoyable for them.’