Billy Ray Cyrus’ son asks dad to seek help after inauguration performance

Billy Ray Cyrus’ son Trace penned an open letter to his father in the wake of the country star’s performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration, sharing that he and his siblings are concerned about his wellbeing.

Trace, the biological son of Cyrus’ ex-wife Tish from her first marriage, implored his father to seek help in a lengthy statement shared Wednesday on Instagram. “Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever,” recalled Trace. “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 recognize now.”

Though Cyrus “may be upset with me for posting this,” continued Trace, “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.” Sister Noah Cyrus has “desperately wanted you to be a part of her life and you haven’t even been there for her,” added Trace. “That’s your baby girl. She deserves better. Somehow just like me she still idolizes you though.”

Trace said he and his siblings are “all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew” and “hoping for the day he returns.” He added, “You’re not healthy, Dad and everyone is noticing it. . . as I write this with tears in my eyes 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. We haven’t talked in a while but I’m over a year and half clean from alcohol.”

Concluded Trace, “I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly but I think I have a pretty good idea and 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.”

Cyrus also shares daughter Miley Cyrus and son Braison Cyrus with ex-wife Tish. He is also father to son Christopher Cody, from a previous relationship.

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Cyrus and his daughters Miley and Noah, respectively, for comment.

The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer was part of the Trump administration’s inauguration lineup on Monday, taking the stage at the Liberty Ball to perform “Old Town Road,” his hit track with Lil Nas X. Like fellow performer Carrie Underwood, Cyrus was met with technical difficulties, and viewers expressed concern over his hoarse voice and at times awkward on-stage behavior.

He addressed the debacle on Instagram a day after the performance, stating that he had a “blast” despite the technical difficulties. “I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not,” captioned Cyrus alongside a photo of himself on stage. “I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me. I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night.”

Reports of family estrangement swirled following Cyrus’ short-lived marriage to Firerose. (They separated last summer after seven months of marriage.) Appearing on David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction last year, daughter Miley Cyrus touched on her complicated relationship with her father, whom she starred with on her Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana at the start of her career.

“He has a relationship and a foot on the ground to the real and to nature and he always did, even when he was super famous,” said the pop star. “I’m grateful for being able to watch him ahead of me. He’s almost given me this map. And there’s a map of what to do and what not to do, and he’s guided me on both.”