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Firerose is speaking out after her ex-husband Billy Ray Cyrus’ widely criticized performance at a pre-inauguration event for Donald Trump left viewers concerned for his wellbeing.
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“What’s being seen in public now reflects much of what I experienced in private during our relationship,” the singer told People of Cyrus. “It’s very sad to see those same struggles continue for him, but I’m glad the truth is coming to light — for his potential good because healing is only possible when you confront the truth and accept there’s 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.”
Cyrus filed for divorce on May 22, citing “irreconcilable differences” and “inappropriate marital conduct” seven months after the couple married. On June 13, Cyrus requested an emergency motion accusing Firerose of making nearly $100,000 in unauthorized “fraudulent” credit card charges while seeking a temporary restraining order to stop her, though her attorneys said the accusations were “untrue.”
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After Cyrus’ divorce filing, Firerose accused him of domestic abuse, and calling the country star “unpredictable and volatile” due to alleged substance abuse. In a statement shared with Billboard, Cyrus’ lawyers “vehemently” denied the allegations and said that while he was “certainly vocal, frustrated and angry … it is the plaintiff who, in fact, has been abused. Not only verbally and emotionally by the defendant, but PHYSICALLY.”
In August, the duo settled their divorce.
Earlier this month, on Jan. 20, Cyrus’ 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, “I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar, and monitors worked or not. That’s called rock and roll!” he told People.
Since then, Billy Ray’s son Trace Cyrus took to Instagram to also comment on the performance, addressing years of strained family dynamics and expressing concern for his father’s 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 “lack of values.”
The presence of Snoop Dogg at a concert during President Donald Trump’s inauguration weekend infuriated many, including activist and journalist Kevin Powell. Powell expressed his disappointment in a recent interview, citing Snoop Dogg’s lengthy career. The “Drop It Like Its Hot” rapper performed at the Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C., last Friday (Jan. 17) along with Rick Ross,and Soulja Boy. “I interviewed Snoop for Quincy Jones’ [VIBE] magazine, and he has a long history in relationship to community,” Powell began before noting that his performance meant he would abandon that relationship “for a bag of money.”
“I never thought I would see Snoop Dogg, forget the other rappers because others have talked about them, but Snoop Dogg in particular,” Powell added. “This is someone who is an iconic figure just like Carrie Underwood is, and when folks like that are siding with someone who’s spreading those kinds of messages, it’s a stab in the back to all of us who have bought their music and supported them through their careers.” Snoop Dogg famously criticized Trump heavily as he began his first presidential term in 2017.
“I’m waiting. I’m gonna roast the f— outta you,” he said in a video post at the time, calling anyone looking to perform during that inauguration weekend “Uncle Toms.” The video has gone viral again, as Snoop Dogg hasn’t responded to any requests for comment about his performance. When asked by TMZ’s Harvey Levin if it was a reflection of a growing trend in the Hip-Hop community, Powell replied, “I think there’s a sea change of a lack of values across America, period.”
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. “I’m here to perform for the office,” he said, before remarking that he hadn’t seen anything suggesting that Trump was a white supremacist. Soulja Boy, best known for his 2007 hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” released a video response to those critical of his presence. “They paid me a bag,” he said before adding, “Obama ain’t never put no money in my f—g pockets, n—a. Kamala ain’t never put no money in my f—g pockets, n—a. Trump put money in my pockets, n—a.”
Technical issued led to a haphazard Billy Ray Cyrus performance at the Liberty Ball during Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration and on Tuesday (Jan. 21), the star responded to critics. “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. […]
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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 Trump’s 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 “broke its promises” 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 Sewell’s 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.’s “Free At Last” speech inappropriately. It was, in a word, “something.”
Like much of Trump’s 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.’s 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 People’s 1978 hit “Y.M.C.A.,” 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 “accepted an invitation from President Elect Trump’s campaign to participate in inaugural activities, including at least one event with President Elect Trump.” The group added, “We 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.”
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Trump had previously featured the Village People’s “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.” at his 2020 and 2024 rallies.
In December, Village People’s Victor Willis explained why he ultimately allowed Trump to continue playing “Y.M.C.A.” at rallies and events. Despite initially asking him to stop in 2020, Willis said he “didn’t have the heart” to block its use after realizing the politician “genuinely liked” the song and was “having a lot of fun” 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.
Sunday’s 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.
“We won. We won,” Trump told the excited crowd. “I’m thrilled to be back with so many friends, supporters, and true American patriots on the eve of taking back our country. That’s what we’re going to do. Take back our country.”
He added, “Tomorrow 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.”
Nelly will be performing at president-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday (Jan. 20), an inside source has confirmed to Billboard.
The 50-year-old “Hot in Herre” 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, “I apologize. I didn’t 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 shouldn’t even be an argument. He’s the president. He won. This isn’t a campaign. This isn’t the RNC. I’m not on the political campaign.”
Nelly went on to add, “I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor. I respect the office. It don’t 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 whoever’s in office. So if they can put their life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever … Nobody’s allowed to change, right? … If my past was once going to prevent me from winning today, I wouldn’t be here. I’m not saying that that he ain’t got some fucked up ways. That’s not what I’m saying at all. That’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for. But what I’m saying is that he’s the president of the United States…”
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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 wasn’t invited, noting, “I didn’t get none of that 1.5 to try to help somebody get voted.”
Nelly isn’t the only rapper to participate in Trump’s inauguration festivities. Earlier this weekend, it was widely reported that Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performed at the president-elect’s 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 Room’s Instagram, users criticized the artists for their participation. “This is culturally embarrassing and disrespectful as hell,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Not a check in the world is worth selling my soul to the Devil…”
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon also covered the performance during his livestream, Lemon LIVE at 5, questioning whether Snoop and the artists were “sellouts” or “grifters who only care about a dollar.”
Snoop hadn’t 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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