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Billy Ray Cyrus Has Onstage Meltdown While Performing at Donald Trump’s Inauguration Ball

CultureCelebs
By Craig Garrett
January 21, 2025 | 2:01 p.m. CST
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Image via Instagram / Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus’ diva behavior after a technical glitch during his performance at Donald’s Trumps Inauguration festivities yesterday is getting roasted by fans worldwide.

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The 63-year-old singer took the stage in Washington, D.C., on Monday, just hours after 78-year-old Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president. The awkwardness erupted when Cyrus encountered issues with his guitar during a performance of his and Lil Nas X’s hit song, “Old Town Road.”

“Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. I don’t hear my guitar anymore,” Cyrus grumbled onstage.

“Check. Is anybody awake?” he mumbled. “I don’t hear it. Do y’all hear this? Where’s everybody at? Check. Is anyone back there? Can someone turn my guitar back on? We’re gonna sing a little bit more.”

The “Could’ve Been Me” singer had no time for shenanigans. He quickly escalated the situation (and likely got the hopes up of the assembled crowd) by threatening to walk off stage.

“Y’all want me to sing more or you just want me to get the hell off the stage? I don’t give a damn,” he blurted. A technician stepped onto the stage to repair the guitar, but Cyrus declared it was beyond saving, calling it “dead.”

However, Cyrus didn’t grant mercy on everyone watching by quitting. He pushed forward, descending further down the road of embarrassment and shame.

Using a microphone, he delivered an a cappella rendition of “Achy Breaky Heart” while the disinterested audience politely snapped along.

After his performance, the lights dimmed, but Cyrus lingered on stage instead of exiting right away. He wandered aimlessly across the platform, some vagabond crooner, formerly the master of all he surveyed, bewildered by his new fate. Mercifully, someone eventually escorted him off.

The Internet Roasts Billy Ray Cyrus For His Bizarre Trump Inauguration Ball Showing

Of course, the world was united in roasting Billy Ray for his bizarre antics.

“Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance at Donald Trump’s inaugural Liberty Ball is an epic disaster,” one X user declared.

“Trump needs to pardon Billy Ray Cyrus for that performance because it was a crime,” one X user joked.

“That was truly a scary experience. Not sure if he was sick or drunk or both. Hope he is ok,” another X user added.

Others noted how much Cyrus looks like horror-themed rocker Rob Zombie these days.

Meanwhile, Cyrus proudly backed up his antics with an official statement on the incident.

“I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me,” Cyrus explained to People earlier today. “I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night and I’ve learned through all these years when the producer says, ‘You’re on,’ you go entertain the folks even if the equipment goes to hell. I was there for the people and we had a blast. That’s called rock n roll!!!”

Cyrus’ technical glitch onstage went down just hours after Carrie Underwood experienced a similar issue at Trump’s inauguration.

The 41-year-old country singer had to sing “America the Beautiful” a cappella at the festivities because of a technical difficulty with the music. However, Underwood handled things much better than the “Some Gave All” singer.

When Underwood learned of the mishap, she turned to someone and asked, “Just sing?” She quickly added, “I can just sing it.” Addressing the audience, she encouraged, “You know the words—help me out here,” prompting them to join her in a heartfelt rendition of the patriotic anthem.

Entertainers who performed at Trump’s inauguration celebrations in recent days also included an embarrassment of riches like the Village People, Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, and Lee Greenwood.