Billy Ray Cyrus under fire for ‘cringiest ever’ disaster performance during Donald Trump inauguration show
Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus is facing ridicule for his “epic disaster” performance following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
The 63-year-old was performing at the Liberty Bell celebratory concert held in the 20,000-seater Capital One Arena in Washington DC.
Trump supporters braved the –7C weather and queued around the block in the hopes of securing a coveted place at the event on Monday evening.
It was one of three balls, held after the day’s swearing-in ceremony, that the newly inaugurated president would attend.
Cyrus, Jason Aldean, and the Air Force Band were set to perform before the stage would be handed over to Trump, his family, and Vice President Vance.
However, the Achy Breaky Heart hitmaker’s apparent poor lip-syncing, dishevelled appearance and a spate of technical issues quickly soured the tone of the evening.
During his set, the sound of Cyrus’ electric guitar failed to transmit, and the stage lights turned off plunging the Kentuckian into pitch darkness.
“Is my guitar still on? I think they cut me off. Is my guitar on guys? I don’t hear my guitar anymore,” Cyrus asked in confusion.
The awkward moment was made worse when the 63-year-old appeared to be getting no support from the technical team.
“Uh, check, is anybody awake? I don’t hear it. Do ya’ll hear it? Is anyone back there? Can somebody turn my guitar back on? We’re going to sing a bit more,” he continued.
A deflated Cyrus then asked the crowd if they wanted him to continue, adding that he “didn’t give a damn” if they did or not.
Disaster struck again as his mic and the stage lights failed, leaving the now silhouetted country icon to mutely wander around the dark stage.
Eventually, Cyrus shuffled off-stage as ushers began to emerge, bringing the car-crash segment to a close. However, astonished viewers quickly took to social media to share their thoughts on the fiasco.
“Who signed off on Billy Ray Cyrus performing tonight? They should be fired immediately. This is awful,” one viewer declared.
Another empathised: “So embarrassed for Billy Ray Cyrus right now…”
“It was the most painful thing I’ve ever had to endure in my life. And I once broke both my legs. This was worse,” a third despaired.
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Other commentators mocked Cyrus’ disastrous set, with one calling it “possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history”.
“Can Trump pardon Billy Ray Cyrus for this performance tonight? Wow,” another joked.
“Oh my god! Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance at Donald Trump’s inaugural Liberty Ball is an epic disaster,” a third observed, adding multiple crying with laughter emojis. (sic)