Billy Ray Cyrus, 63, branded ‘evil’ by his own son amid romance with Elizabeth Hurley

Billy Ray Cyrus' performance at Donald Trump's inaugural Liberty Ball
Eliana Silver

By Eliana Silver


Published: 11/06/2025

- 16:34

It is not the first time Cyrus's son has publicly criticised his father

Trace Cyrus has launched a blistering attack on his father Billy Ray Cyrus through a series of Instagram posts on Tuesday, branding the country music star "washed-up," "pathetic" and "evil."

The 36-year-old musician took to social media to denounce his father for failing to attend his grandmother's funeral in 2020.


"This man is so hungry for fame it's pathetic," Trace wrote in his scathing online tirade.

The posts revealed deep family tensions, with Trace claiming Billy Ray chose to attend a fashion show in Italy rather than pay his respects to Loretta Finley, who was the mother of Billy Ray's ex-wife Tish Cyrus.

According to Trace's allegations, Billy Ray refused to attend the funeral despite his daughter arranging a private jet worth $60,000 (approximately £48,000) to transport him from his location to Los Angeles.

"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," Trace claimed in his post.

The funeral took place roughly two years before Tish and Billy Ray's divorce in April 2022.

Trace expressed particular anger that his father "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's criticism escalated throughout his posts, with the musician declaring: "You're the lamest man to ever walk planet earth. Honestly embarrassed to ever have considered you my idol."

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Cyrus familyBilly Ray adopted Trace and his sister Brandi, 38, when he married Tish in 1993. The couple also share Miley, 32, Braison, 31, and Noah, 25GETTY

He claimed his father's downfall had motivated him to enter "beast mode," adding: "I refuse to be a washed up, delusional, evil person when I'm old like you."

In his Instagram Stories, Trace mocked Billy Ray's appearance, writing: "Also why does he think that homeless hairstyle looks good? So weird."

When a commenter suggested the posts seemed like a cry for attention from his father, Trace responded: "No I'm past the point of even caring if I ever speak to him again. I've surpassed him in every metric as a man on this planet."

Billy Ray adopted Trace and his sister Brandi, 38, when he married Tish in 1993. The couple also share Miley, 32, Braison, 31, and Noah, 25.

Elizabeth Hurley / Billy Ray Cyrus

Hurley and Cyrus stunned fans when they confirmed their romance with an Instagram post on Easter Sunday in April

INSTAGRAM


This is not the first time Trace has publicly criticised his father.

In January, he expressed concern following Billy Ray's performance at President Donald Trump's second inauguration, stating his family had been "genuinely worried" about him for years.

Whilst Trace's siblings have reportedly reconciled with their father, Billy Ray has not responded to the latest attack.

Instead, the 63-year-old posted a birthday tribute on Tuesday to his new girlfriend, actress Elizabeth Hurley, calling her the "love of my life."

Hurley and Cyrus stunned fans when they confirmed their romance with an Instagram post on Easter Sunday in April.

Cyrus expressed his love for Hurley on Instagram for her recent 60th birthday, posting a beaming photo of the two and writing, "Happy birthday to the love of my life."

Meanwhile, the actress recently revealed she wants Cyrus to meet her family in the UK.