[ WATCH ] Billy Ray Cyrus’ Performance at Trump Inaugural Ball
Billy Ray Cyrus’ Performance at Trump Inaugural Ball Raises Eyebrows
The celebrations for President Donald Trump’s inauguration brought together a mix of musical performances, but one act in particular left attendees and viewers perplexed.
Billy Ray Cyrus, known for hits like “Achy Breaky Heart” and “Old Town Road,” took the stage at the Liberty Ball, but his performance quickly became the center of attention for all the wrong reasons.
A Night of Challenges
While the inauguration day itself saw its share of minor hiccups, such as technical issues during Carrie Underwood’s a cappella rendition of “America the Beautiful” (which she handled with grace), Billy Ray’s performance stood out for its apparent disarray.
The country star opened with “Old Town Road,” but it quickly became evident he was lip-synching.
At times, he wasn’t even near the microphone as the track played in the background.
When he did sing live, notably during an a cappella version of “Achy Breaky Heart,” his vocals were noticeably strained.
Technical difficulties seemed to plague the set, with issues surrounding his equipment.
At one point, a guitar technician attempted to resolve the problem but was unsuccessful.
During his rendition of “Some Gave All,” Cyrus placed the microphone on its stand and wandered the stage, waving in near darkness.
Eventually, someone retrieved the microphone, and Cyrus exited the stage, leaving many to wonder if he had been cut off mid-performance.
[ WATCH ] A Memorable, Yet Awkward Moment:
Personal Turmoil
Cyrus’ performance comes amid a tumultuous time in his personal life. The singer finalized his divorce from Australian singer Firerose last year after a highly publicized and contentious split. Both parties levied serious accusations against each other, including claims of abuse, financial disputes, and leaked audio of heated arguments.
The divorce, finalized in August, marked the end of what Cyrus later described as a “scam” and “web of lies.” Reflecting on the experience, he said, “Love is blind, that’s for sure.”
