Billy Ray Cyrus faced heavy criticism on social media following his performance at the Liberty Ball during President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017. The 62-year-old country singer-songwriter was the subject of mockery as his performance was marred by technical issues, leaving fans questioning the authenticity of his appearance. The sound difficulties, which also affected fellow performer Carrie Underwood, led to a less-than-ideal reception, with viewers expressing their disappointment online.
Cyrus, who hails from Flatwoods, Kentucky, was targeted by social media users, with many commenting on the awkwardness of the moment. Some pointed to the technical glitches as a major factor that detracted from the overall quality of the performance, further amplifying the backlash.
Despite the negative attention, Billy Ray Cyrus remained steadfast in his career, continuing his work in the music industry and maintaining a positive presence despite the criticism.
During his performance of “Old Town Road” at the Liberty Ball, Billy Ray Cyrus appeared visibly frustrated with technical issues. At one point, he was heard questioning whether his guitar was still working, saying, “Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. I don’t hear my guitar anymore.” In a moment of exasperation, he also gestured toward his guitar and asked the stage crew, “Is anyone awake?” The technical glitches, which affected the overall performance, only added to the criticism surrounding his appearance at the event.
Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance at the Liberty Ball continued to draw criticism as technical issues disrupted the show. After repeatedly questioning the sound of his guitar and expressing frustration, he joked, “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.” Once the technical problem was addressed, he made light of the situation, referencing President Trump’s famous slogan, “When you have technical difficulties, you got to just keep going – or as President Trump would say, you got to fight!”
Despite the recovery, the performance remained awkward, with one sequence showing Cyrus’ silhouette walking aimlessly on stage while the music continued to play. This led to ridicule on social media, with many users calling the performance “embarrassing” and one even likening it to a “trainwreck.” Criticism mounted as viewers speculated that he was lip-syncing, further tarnishing the moment. Some even labeled it “possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history.”#newsafro_
