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Firerose is speaking out after her ex-husband Billy Ray Cyrusâ widely criticized performance at a pre-inauguration event for Donald Trump left viewers concerned for his wellbeing.
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âWhatâs being seen in public now reflects much of what I experienced in private during our relationship,â the singer told People of Cyrus. âItâs very sad to see those same struggles continue for him, but Iâm glad the truth is coming to light â for his potential good because healing is only possible when you confront the truth and accept thereâs a problem. For me, I remain focused on my faith, my music, my healing and using my story to encourage others to find strength and hope.â
Cyrus filed for divorce on May 22, citing âirreconcilable differencesâ and âinappropriate marital conductâ seven months after the couple married. On June 13, Cyrus requested an emergency motion accusing Firerose of making nearly $100,000 in unauthorized âfraudulentâ credit card charges while seeking a temporary restraining order to stop her, though her attorneys said the accusations were âuntrue.â
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After Cyrusâ divorce filing, Firerose accused him of domestic abuse, and calling the country star âunpredictable and volatileâ due to alleged substance abuse. In a statement shared with Billboard, Cyrusâ lawyers âvehementlyâ denied the allegations and said that while he was âcertainly vocal, frustrated and angry ⌠it is the plaintiff who, in fact, has been abused. Not only verbally and emotionally by the defendant, but PHYSICALLY.â
In August, the duo settled their divorce.
Earlier this month, on Jan. 20, Cyrusâ Liberty Ball appearance was plagued with technical issues, leaving his guitar inaudible and forcing him to haphazard a cappella performance.
Cyrus defended his appearance in a previous statement, saying, âI wouldnât have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar, and monitors worked or not. Thatâs called rock and roll!â he told People.
Since then, Billy Rayâs son Trace Cyrus took to Instagram to also comment on the performance, addressing years of strained family dynamics and expressing concern for his fatherâs well-being. See his statement here.
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Activist Kevin Powell slammed Snoop Dogg for his appearance at an inauguration concert for President Donald Trump, citing his âlack of values.â
The presence of Snoop Dogg at a concert during President Donald Trumpâs inauguration weekend infuriated many, including activist and journalist Kevin Powell. Powell expressed his disappointment in a recent interview, citing Snoop Doggâs lengthy career. The âDrop It Like Its Hotâ rapper performed at the Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C., last Friday (Jan. 17) along with Rick Ross,and Soulja Boy. Â âI interviewed Snoop for Quincy Jonesâ [VIBE] magazine, and he has a long history in relationship to community,â Powell began before noting that his performance meant he would abandon that relationship âfor a bag of money.â
âI never thought I would see Snoop Dogg, forget the other rappers because others have talked about them, but Snoop Dogg in particular,â Powell added. âThis is someone who is an iconic figure just like Carrie Underwood is, and when folks like that are siding with someone whoâs spreading those kinds of messages, itâs a stab in the back to all of us who have bought their music and supported them through their careers.â Snoop Dogg famously criticized Trump heavily as he began his first presidential term in 2017.
âIâm waiting. Iâm gonna roast the fâ outta you,â he said in a video post at the time, calling anyone looking to perform during that inauguration weekend âUncle Toms.â The video has gone viral again, as Snoop Dogg hasnât responded to any requests for comment about his performance. When asked by TMZâs Harvey Levin if it was a reflection of a growing trend in the Hip-Hop community, Powell replied, âI think thereâs a sea change of a lack of values across America, period.â
Nelly, who performed at the Liberty Ball Monday (Jan. 20), defended his appearance in an interview with podcast host and Hip-Hop veteran Willie D. âIâm here to perform for the office,â he said, before remarking that he hadnât seen anything suggesting that Trump was a white supremacist. Soulja Boy, best known for his 2007 hit âCrank That (Soulja Boy),â released a video response to those critical of his presence. âThey paid me a bag,â he said before adding, âObama ainât never put no money in my fâg pockets, nâa. Kamala ainât never put no money in my fâg pockets, nâa. Trump put money in my pockets, nâa.â
Technical issued led to a haphazard Billy Ray Cyrus performance at the Liberty Ball during Donald Trumpâs presidential inauguration and on Tuesday (Jan. 21), the star responded to critics. âI wouldnât have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. […]
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President Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday (Jan. 20) and the spectacle of the inauguration has concluded with many in the media offering their observations On X, President Donald Trumpâs rambling and sometimes unfocused acceptance speech was dissected at great lengths with some pointing out the fallacies and falsehoods spewed from the pulpit.
President Donald Trump spoke at length from inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, using the moment to essentially echo many of his campaign talking points to raucous applause from his subordinates and supporters. It was more of the same tough talk and bluster most have come to expect, and there were soft lobs toward Black and Hispanic communities coupled with promises of cleaning up the crime in cities across the nation.
Trump also promised to tap into natural resources on the domestic level despite the threat to the climate it poses and wants to transform America into a manufacturing giant once more. He also made appeals to the auto industry and directed domestic companies to ramp up production. There were also the long-existing threats of tariffs against other nations and the promise of eliminating the cost to American citizens.
In a bizarre moment, Trump went back to his desire to rename the Panama Canal and said that the country âbroke its promisesâ to America. He also used this moment to take a direct swipe at China, saying that he intends to snatch the canal back from the rival superpower.
Pastor Lorenzo Sewellâs passionate prayer in support of Trump also garnered some responses given the dramatic histrionics on display and the religious leader evoking Martin Luther King Jr.âs âFree At Lastâ speech inappropriately. It was, in a word, âsomething.â
Like much of Trumpâs presidential campaign, the unchecked bravado of the former business mogul was on full display with a full-throated embrace from those in attendance who applauded nearly every word. However, how these plans are expected to move forward was not illustrated in any visible detail. Trump also circled and repeated his points, appearing to speak off script and barely spoke to the concerns of average Americans and largely aimed his words at his rabid base. There was also an unnecessary jab at the LBGTBQ community, in particular regarding gender presentation.
On X, users are chiming in regarding the inauguration of President Donald Trump and dissecting his words and a higher level than legacy media would ever dare. Check out those reactions below.
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Donald Trump showcased his signature dance moves during a high-energy pre-inauguration rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday (Jan. 19).
The 78-year-old businessman-turned-politician, who was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on Monday, celebrated his victory over Kamala Harris at D.C.âs Capital One Arena. The event featured performances by Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood and the Village People.
As the rally wrapped up, Trump danced and clapped along to the Village Peopleâs 1978 hit âY.M.C.A.,â a song frequently played at his campaign rallies. Smiling, he stood behind the group, delivering his trademark moves while the crowd cheered.
In the days leading up to the event, the Village People announced on Facebook that they had âaccepted an invitation from President Elect Trumpâs campaign to participate in inaugural activities, including at least one event with President Elect Trump.â The group added, âWe know this wont make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics. Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.â
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Trump had previously featured the Village Peopleâs âMacho Manâ and âY.M.C.A.â at his 2020 and 2024 rallies.
In December, Village Peopleâs Victor Willis explained why he ultimately allowed Trump to continue playing âY.M.C.A.â at rallies and events. Despite initially asking him to stop in 2020, Willis said he âdidnât have the heartâ to block its use after realizing the politician âgenuinely likedâ the song and was âhaving a lot of funâ with it. Willis also noted that the track has seen a significant boost in chart positions and sales since Trump began using it during his campaign.
Sundayâs rally opened with a performance from Kid Rock, a longtime Trump supporter, before supporters like actor Jon Voight and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, among others, took the stage to offer congratulations.
âWe won. We won,â Trump told the excited crowd. âIâm thrilled to be back with so many friends, supporters, and true American patriots on the eve of taking back our country. Thatâs what weâre going to do. Take back our country.â
He added, âTomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride.â
Nelly will be performing at president-elect Donald Trumpâs inaugural ball on Monday (Jan. 20), an inside source has confirmed to Billboard.
The 50-year-old âHot in Herreâ rapper joins a lineup of previously announced inauguration performers that includes Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Village People, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Parker McCollum, Lee Greenwood and Gavin DeGraw.
In an interview on Willie D Live, posted to YouTube on Saturday (Jan. 18), Nelly explained the reasons behind his decision to perform. He said in part, âI apologize. I didnât know that I had to agree with your political choices, and I thought it was the things that you do not the things that you say should be done if you follow what I do. This shouldnât even be an argument. Heâs the president. He won. This isnât a campaign. This isnât the RNC. Iâm not on the political campaign.â
Nelly went on to add, âIâm not doing this for money. Iâm doing this because itâs an honor. I respect the office. It donât matter who is in office, the same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to put their life on the line for whoeverâs in office. So if they can put their life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever ⌠Nobodyâs allowed to change, right? ⌠If my past was once going to prevent me from winning today, I wouldnât be here. Iâm not saying that that he ainât got some fucked up ways. Thatâs not what Iâm saying at all. Thatâs why Iâm not telling you who to vote for. But what Iâm saying is that heâs the president of the United StatesâŚâ
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During the interview, Nelly also addressed whether he was invited to participate in the Kamala Harris campaign. The rapper said he wasnât invited, noting, âI didnât get none of that 1.5 to try to help somebody get voted.â
Nelly isnât the only rapper to participate in Trumpâs inauguration festivities. Earlier this weekend, it was widely reported that Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performed at the president-electâs Crypto Ball pre-inaugural soiree in Washington, D.C., at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on Friday (Jan. 17).
Snoop and his fellow rappers faced backlash for their performance at the event. In the comments section of a video from the show shared on the Shade Roomâs Instagram, users criticized the artists for their participation. âThis is culturally embarrassing and disrespectful as hell,â one commenter wrote. Another added, âNot a check in the world is worth selling my soul to the DevilâŚâ
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon also covered the performance during his livestream, Lemon LIVE at 5, questioning whether Snoop and the artists were âselloutsâ or âgrifters who only care about a dollar.â
Snoop hadnât publicly addressed the backlash at press time, but he did share an Instagram Story featuring himself and Ross at the event.
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