Billy Ray Cyrus' Son Pens Heartbreaking Message to Dad:' I Fear the World May Lose You Too Soon'

Trace Cyrus says the whole family is “genuinely worried” about patriarch Billy Ray Cyrus after his bizarre performance at Donald Trump’s inaugural ball sparked new concern for the country artist. 

Trace, 35, took to Instagram on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 22, with a candid message to his father, whom he says he can “barely recognize now” in the wake of his divorce from his mother, Tish Cyrus. The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer more recently divorced his third wife, Firerose. (Before his 30-year marriage to Tish, he was married to Cindy Smith). 

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Alongside a photo from Trace’s childhood, where he greeted Billy Ray on stage with a big smile, the Metro Station guitarist admitted that his “earliest memories” are of “being obsessed” with his father, who he thought was “the coolest person ever” when they first met. Billy Ray adopted Trace and his older sister, Brandi Cyrus, after marrying their mother, Tish.

“The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life,” he continued, but now, he says, “the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognize now.”

Trace suggested that the “world has beaten [Billy Ray] down,” the results had “become obvious to everyone but [him],” and that he and his sisters, Brandi, Miley Cyrus and Noah Cyrus, have been “genuinely worried” about their dad “for years,” even as he’s “pushed all of [them] away.”

“We are all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew & hoping for the day he returns,” he continued, bluntly stating, “You’re not healthy Dad…” before expressing “fear that the world may lose you far too soon.”

“I love you Dad,” he emphasized, revealing that it’s been over a year and a half since they’ve spoken to one another when he shared that he’s “over a year and half clean from alcohol” and feeling “amazing.”

“I don’t know what you’re struggling with exactly but I think I have a pretty good idea,” he said, offering his support if his dad was willing to “open up and receive the help.”

“You know how to reach me,” he concluded. “Till that day comes I will continue to pray for you.”

Parade reached out to Billy Ray’s rep but did not immediately hear back.

Next: Miley Cyrus Teases Career Shift: “Starting Over Again’ Can Be ‘Heartbreaking”