Trace Cyrus, the son of Billy Ray Cyrus, said his father is “terrified” of him in a series of messages posted to social media.
Newsweek reached out to Billy Ray Cyrus’ representative via email for comment on Thursday.
The Context
Billy Ray Cyrus, 63, and Tish Cyrus, 58, wed in 1993, and he adopted her two children: Brandi, 38, and Trace, 36. Together, the couple had three more kids: Miley, 32, Braison, 31, and Noah, 25. The country artist is also a dad to son Christopher Cody, 33, with ex Kristen Luckey.
Three of his children followed in the Achy Breaky Heart singer’s musical footsteps. Miley Cyrus is a three-time Grammy Award winner and Noah Cyrus is Grammy Award nominee. Trace Cyrus was also in the band Metro Station.
What To Know
On Tuesday, Trace Cyrus took to Instagram to make several claims about his father.
In one of his posts, the musician shared a photo of Nicolas Cage and his son, Weston Cage, who bears a resemblance to Billy Ray Cyrus.
“Why is nobody talking about this? Proof that we live in a simulation. While my Dads been playing this Billy Ray character he’s also been Nicolas Cage’s son this entire time,” Trace Cyrus said, before adding: “Nooooo guys that is not my Dad in the picture.”
In the comments underneath his post, he responded to Instagram user @david.louisd, who said “it looks like you’re totally running after him and he doesn’t want to have contact with you.”
“It’s been a long time since you’ve been attacking him online, and looks like he couldn’t care less,” the user added. “I think you should make up with him … Miley already did. And if he doesn’t want to, just let it go and give it to God.”
Trace Cyrus replied, “Of course he doesn’t. He’s terrified of me because I’m the only one with the courage to speak the truth. I’m his worst nightmare.”
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
During an interview with The New York Times last month, Miley Cyrus spoke out about her relationship with Billy Ray Cyrus, noting that she’s no longer estranged from her famous father. “I think timing is everything,” she told the outlet.
In a slew of Instagram Stories, Trace Cyrus doubled down on his remarks, accusing Billy Ray Cyrus of being “so hungry for fame it’s pathetic.”
“He really flew to Italy for a fashion show but wouldn’t come to LA for Mammie’s funeral while he was still married to my mom. Even after his daughter got him a 60k private jet like he demanded then he still didn’t come even after the plane was paid for,” the Kentucky native wrote. “You’re the lamest man to ever walk planet earth. Honestly embarrassed to have ever considered you my idol.”
Tish Cyrus’ mother, Loretta Finley, died in August 2020, and she and Billy Ray Cyrus divorced in 2022.
He added: “The best thing to come from your downfall is it made me go into beast mode. I refuse to be a washed up, delusional, evil person when I’m old like you. Christ is King. Get right with God. You need it.”
This isn’t the first time Trace Cyrus spoke out about Billy Ray Cyrus on social media. In January, he posted an Instagram photo with the songwriter following his performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration and said he and his family were “genuinely worried” about him.
“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 recognize now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you.”
What People Are Saying
Billy Ray Cyrus appeared to respond to Trace Cyrus’ January plea by posting a clip from his Somebody Said a Prayer music video, which featured his son. He captioned it: “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.”
Tish Cyrus spoke out about her marriage to Billy Ray Cyrus during an appearance on the Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson podcast in November 2024: “I never wanted to be divorced. [But] for us, you’re in the public eye and the world that we exist in is already so odd and at some times unstable,” she said, per People. “I wanted to make it work, probably for a little too long, like, for my own mental health. There became a point that, like, I didn’t have a choice.”
What Happens Next
Trace Cyrus released his music video for Cowgirl Ride featuring Kaylee Rose last month.
Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful album is currently for sale. Her film of the same name will premiere in the U.S. on Thursday, June 12, with an international theatrical release on Friday, June 27.