Billy Ray Cyrus Blames ‘Hannah Montana’ for Destruction of Family
Miley Cyrus is one of the most famous young stars around. She has been a celebrity since 2006 with her hit show “Hannah Montana”, with her real life father, Billy Ray Cyrus, also playing her father on television.
Throughout Miley’s career, she has been characterized as an innocent child. Recently, however, it seems that Miley might be losing part of that image. Miley, who just recently turned 18, was the subject of a viral video which portrayed her smoking a hallucinogenic herb, called salvia, at a party (saliva is legal in many states, including California where the video took place). Many also claim that the former Disney star is dressing more provocatively at her concerts.
Aside from Miley’s public image, her family has been going through struggles. The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Billy Ray Cyrus has claimed in a GQ article that the TV show “Hannah Montana” ruined his family. Cyrus said, “The damn show destroyed my family… I’d take it back in a second. For my family to be here and just everybody be okay, safe and sound and happy and normal would have been fantastic.”
In October 2010, Billy Ray Cyrus and his wife, Tish, of 17 years filed for divorce. Billy Ray Cyrus became known for his country music career in the mid 1990s with the hit song “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Billy does more than just blame the show for the destruction of his family. He seems to be very fearful of what will happen to Miley over the next few years. In his article with GQ, Billy claims to be cared for his daughter. He says that, “[Miley’s] got a lot of people around her that’s putting her in a great deal of danger. I know she’s 18 but I still feel like, as her daddy, I’d like to try to help. Take care of her a little bit, to at least get her out of danger.”
He even goes so far as to compare Miley’s situation to celebrities like Kurt Cobain, Anna Nicole Smith and Michael Jackson- all of whom died tragically. There is no doubt that when Billy gave the interview, the salvia incident was fresh in his mind. This would explain the comparisons, particularly because of the connotation of drug use that these celebrities bring.
Billy does claim that he tried too hard to be Miley’s friend and not her father, but he undermines any claim of responsibility by blaming the show. It is probably a host of factors that led to the demise of his marriage, but when he unequivocally states that the show destroyed his marriage, it makes it difficult to believe that he is owning responsibility for his part.
March 1st, 2011 at 11:24 am
don’t ignore reality, the show (and the success) did destroy his life and marriage, that’s what becoming very famous does…your old life fades or is destroyed and you’re left dealing with the insanely invasive public spotlight (and the accompanying non-stop judgment and ridicule). The spotlight creates and and mandates the need for drastic lifestyle alterations (that’s why everyone laughs when a celebrities says ‘fame didn’t change me’).
This is not about being accountable, this is about being realistic – and few people understand what Billy Ray’s life is like now and how is compares to what his life was like before (impact!!!)…what is sad is that he and his wife are no longer able to work together and adapt to their new lives.
March 15th, 2011 at 8:44 am
The effects of fame could have a profound impact on any family. However, I think that it is wrong to place the blame on just one thing. As you said, it surely occured from a variety of factors.