Trace Cyrus Attacks 'Pathetic' Billy Ray Cyrus Online: 'So Hungry For Fame'

By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on June 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM EDT

Trace Cyrus (left) Billy Ray Cyrus (right)
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Trace Cyrus has unleashed a furious attack on his father, Billy Ray Cyrus, calling him "evil" and "pathetic" in a blistering Instagram post on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old music artist didn't hold back, accusing the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer of being "hungry for fame" and of prioritizing his own public image over family.

Trace Cyrus specifically criticized his father for not attending the funeral of his grandmother, despite recently traveling to Italy with girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley.

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Trace Cyrus Calls Out Billy Ray For Prioritizing Fame Over Family

Trace Cyrus wearing sunglasses
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

The post comes five months after Trace had pleaded for Billy Ray to seek help following what he called a "trainwreck" performance at Trump’s inauguration in January.

“This man is so hungry for fame it’s pathetic,” Trace began in his latest post, clearly frustrated by his father’s recent actions. He later recounted how his father flew to Italy for a fashion show, but couldn’t make the trip to Los Angeles for the funeral of Trace’s maternal grandmother, who had passed away.

“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,” Trace wrote, referring to his mother, Tish Cyrus. “Even after his daughter got him a 60k private jet like he demanded, he still didn’t come, even after the plane was paid for.”

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Billy Ray Labeled By Son As 'The Lamest Man On Earth'

Trace’s anger didn’t stop there.

He continued to call his father “the lamest man to ever walk planet earth,” expressing deep embarrassment for ever having considered him a role model.

“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,” Trace concluded.

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Trace Cyrus Claps Back At Critics

Trace Cyrus and Miley Cyrus at Tom Ford: Autumn/Winter 2020 Fashion Show
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA

In a follow-up, Trace continued to criticize his father’s appearance, writing, “Also why does he think that homeless hairstyle looks good? So weird.”

Though the comments on the Instagram post were seemingly disabled, Trace shared a screenshot on his Instagram Stories of a follower's comment before it was removed.

The follower wrote, “Seems like a cry for help from a son that desperately needs attention from his father. Bullying him isn’t the answer btw.” Trace, however, shot back, explaining that he had "surpassed" his father in many ways and had no desire to ever speak to him again.

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“I’m past the point of even caring if I ever speak to him again,” Trace said. “I’ve surpassed him in every metric as a man on this planet. There’s nothing left to learn from him except from his mistakes. I had hope at one point, but I’m convinced he’s finally a lost cause.”

Towards the end of his response, Trace made it clear that he planned to continue thriving and, as the oldest son in the family, to carry on the Cyrus legacy.

“The Cyrus last name will continue through me and my many children I plan to have,” he wrote. “I will raise them the right way and be a part of their life no matter what the circumstances are.”

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Billy Ray Cyrus' Complex Family Dynamics

Miley Cyrus, Tish Cyrus, and Billy Ray Cyrus at 2019 MusiCares Person Of The Year Honoring Dolly Parton
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA

Billy Ray Cyrus has had a tumultuous relationship with his children, having been married three times and fathered six kids. Trace is one of Billy's children from his marriage to Tish Cyrus, who also gave birth to Miley, Noah, and Braison.

Billy is also the father of Brandi and Trace from his marriage to Tish, and Christopher from his previous relationship with Kristen Luckey.

Trace Cyrus Slams Billy Ray After Controversial Inauguration Performance

Billy Ray Cyrus performing
MAR/Capital Pictures / MEGA

The father-son relationship between Billy Ray and Trace has been strained for some time, especially after Billy’s controversial performance at the Liberty Ball during Trump’s inauguration in January. Billy Ray's performance, plagued by technical issues, was heavily criticized, prompting Trace to urge his father to get help.

“Pappy is looking down on you with such disappointment,” Trace claimed in a January Instagram Stories. “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.”

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It’s clear that the rift between Billy Ray and Trace continues to grow, with Trace now making it clear that he’s done trying to repair the relationship, focusing instead on his own growth and future.

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