Billy Ray Cyrus 'praying' for family amid public rift
Billy Ray Cyrus has spoken out to say he is "praying for [his] family" and hopes they can "heal" after son Trace urged him to seek help.
Billy Ray Cyrus is "praying" for his family.
The 'Achy Breaky Heart' singer has broken his silence for the first time since his eldest son Trace Cyrus, 35, to urge him to seek help because he and his sisters Brandi, 37, Miley, 32, and Noah, 25, are "genuinely worried" about him, and in a social media message, the 63-year-old country star expressed his hope they can "heal" and reconcile their differences.
Billy Ray shared a clip of the music video for his 2009 track 'Somebody Said a Prayer' - which features Trace, who he adopted in 1993 when he married his mother, now ex-wife Tish Cyrus - to his YouTube channel along with a message for his family.
He captioned the footage: "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 [bandaged heart emoji] for us all. 'The past does not equal the future.' Amen. (sic)"
In the wake of Billy Ray's bizarre performance at Donald Trump's Liberty Inaugural Ball last week, Trace had told how he "barely recognises" his father any more and accused him of "pushing away" his children.
He wrote on Instagram: "Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever.
"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. 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.(sic)"
He said Billy Ray's children were "all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew and hoping for the day he returns.”
But the singer's brother, Braison Cyrus, 30, later claimed Billy Ray was "happy and healthy".
He wrote on his own Instagram Story: “I’ve spent the last year getting to know my dad better than I ever have.
"After he spent a week in the hospital in the fall, I’m grateful that my dad is happy, healthy and ready to make this record."
Trace later accused his dad of threatening him with legal action and again urged him to seek help.
He wrote in part on his Instagram Story: "Dad my message was beyond loving.
"I could have been extremely honest about a lot more but I don’t want to put your business out there like that.
"But for you to threaten me with legal action for wanting you to get help is a disgrace...
"Everyone close to you is terrified to tell you how they really feel. I’m not. Get help.”
