Billy Ray Cyrus.Photo:Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty
Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty
Billy Ray Cyrusis making his way through a difficult time.
An insider tells PEOPLE that the country singer, who in recent days has been at thecenter of family dramainvolving his eldest son Trace, has “not been in the best place lately” — but is happy to befocusing on the new albumhe plans to release this summer.
“There is a lot of heavy doubt and struggles with personal things, but also career-wise,” the insider says. “The divorce was heavy for him. He lost faith.”
Billy Ray, 63, married Australian singer-songwriterFirerosein October 2023 andfiled for divorcein May 2024. The pair’s split was contentious, asboth stars accusedtheother of abuse(which they each denied), and Billy Ray requested an annulment on the grounds of fraud, with an insider telling PEOPLE at the time that Firerose “isn’t the person he thought he married.”
Billy Ray Cyrus performs during the Liberty Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.Joe Raedle/Getty
Joe Raedle/Getty
The couple’ssplit was settled in August, and the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer’s attorneys said at the time he was “relieved to put this nightmare behind him.” A Firerose source, meanwhile, said she “chose to walk away without fighting for money in order to be done with the volatile relationship and anything having to do with Billy.”
“He does best though when he’s able to focus on his music. Music is his life,” the insider says. “He’s very focused on the new album right now. It’s a great project for him to stay busy.”
FIREROSE and Billy Ray Cyrus attend the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.Jason Kempin/Getty
Jason Kempin/Getty
Billy Ray and Braison announced the album on Jan. 24, just days after Trace shared an open letter of concern for the family patriarch that said he and his siblings were “worried” about the star.
“You’re not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it,” Trace wrote. “I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly but I think I have a pretty good idea & 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.”
“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 ❤️🩹 for us all. “The past does not equal the future." Amen 🙏🏼,” Billy Ray wrote.
The star’s other children have yet to speak publicly on the matter, aside from Braison,who told PEOPLE, “I don’t have any bad feelings toward anyone in my family.”
source: people.com
