“I’ve never done the Achy Breaky dance,” he says. “I did invent one of the moves,” but ”invent is probably a very loose term,” he jokes. “I have a little signature in there, but to this day, I couldn’t stand up and do the dance.”

The megahit is still his best-known song (although he’s had several successful albums since). Natch, a younger generation knows him for another reason — as the star of Hannah Montana with his daughter Miley Cyrus!

Billy Ray also tells a very touching story about being on set with his daughter when his dad passed. 

“My dad had these mini-mottos, this one in particular stood out at the time — he always said ‘the show must go on,’” so they sang a song in his honor. 

When asked about his song “We The People,” he reveals that its all about the power of the voters — watch the video to see why he calls it the most important election in our history! 

Billy Ray shot to fame with his very first single, “Achy Breaky Heart,” which became a crossover megahit and is still known as his signature song (although he’s had several successful albums since). Natch, a younger generation knows him for another reason — as the star of Hannah Montana with his daughter Miley Cyrus! Fans can look forward to watching him this holiday season in the Hallmark Channel original movie Christmas Comes Home to Canaan.

He’s dropping by our offices on Friday afternoon (Dec. 16), so your time to get your most pressing questions in is fading!

How do you participate?

Simply Like” Celebuzz on Facebook and then submit your question for Billy Ray in the comments section below! He’ll choose his favorites and answer them for you all.

When asked what he hopes for Miley Cyrus in her future career, Billy Ray told the publication:

“My wish for her is to be happy. To love what she’s doing. We’ve always had a slogan in our family: ‘If you ain’t happy, it ain’t working.’ You need to love what you’re doing. As long as she’s happy and loving making music — and I know she loves acting — that’s all that matters.”

Billy Ray added in his own advice for those trying to make it in the business like he and his daughter did, saying:

 ”I’ll lean back to a couple buddies of mine, one being Waylon Jennings, the other being Johnny Cash, the other being Carl Perkins, all three of those great men said the same thing to me: ‘Cyrus, keep it real. Be who you are and do what you do because you love it.’ I’ve followed that example of keeping it real.”

Billy Ray is currently gearing up for his new album I’m American. 

Billy Ray tells The View (via People)  that he and his wife are going to give things another go: “I’ve dropped the divorce … I want to put my family back together … Things are the best they’ve ever been … I feel like I got my Miley back … I feel like we’re the daddy and daughter we were before Hannah Montana.”

That’s quite a departure from his words that rocked the entertainment world, when he lashed out in an interview with GQ, saying that he “never made a dime” off of daughter Miley Cyrus and that he wishes Hannah Montana never happened so that his family would still be happy.

PEOPLE broke the news of the initial split, as the couple announced they were going their separate ways after 17 years of marriage. In a statement to the magazine, the couple said it is currently “a very difficult time for our family,” and that they’re “trying to work through some personal matters. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”

Both Billy Ray and Tish have been instrumental in Miley’s success, serving as managers for the Hannah Montana starlet.

Miley's cutest looks!

21 Photos »

]]> http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-03-17/billy-ray-cyrus-calls-off-divorce/feed/ 4 http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-02-25/source-miley-cyrus-trying-to-hide-stress-under-constant-smile/ http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-02-25/source-miley-cyrus-trying-to-hide-stress-under-constant-smile/#comments Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:42:58 +0000 Maria Mercedes Lara http://www.celebuzz.com/?p=7278642
Miley Cyrus might seem like a happy 18-year-old pop star on the outside but sources close to the young celeb say that she is going through a very difficult time. According to People, Miley has been trying to cope with the intense stress put on her following dad Billy Ray Cyrus‘ controversial comments to GQ...Read more»

]]> Miley Cyrus might seem like a happy 18-year-old pop star on the outside but sources close to the young celeb say that she is going through a very difficult time.

According to People, Miley has been trying to cope with the intense stress put on her following dad Billy Ray Cyrus‘ controversial comments to GQ magazine.

“[Miley] seemed stressed, though she tries to hide it behind a constant smile,” a source tells People. “Miley is upset. She’s very hurt and angry.”

It’s easy to see why Miley is upset: Her father Billy Ray recently told GQ that he is “scared” for his daughter’s well-being and that he feels that Hannah Montana “ruined” his family. Billy Ray has since said that his comments were “explosive, and unintentionally so” and that he is trying to focus on mending his relationship with his family.

Billy Ray’s comments aren’t the only things that are stressing out the young star. Miley’s parents are currently going through a divorce (the pair filed for separation in late 2010) and the “Can’t Be Tamed” singer has been spending most of her time with her mother, Tish Cyrus, in Los Angeles.

Miley is also currently in the middle of trying to plot her next career move. Will the young star move more towards films or will she record another album? Miley’s relationship with Disney (the company who put out The Last Song) has been put under a lot of strain thanks to Billy Ray’s comments. Sources connected to Disney recently told The Hollywood Reporter that Miley’s future with the company is “TBD” following Billy Ray’s GQ interview. Yikes!

Hopefully Miley will find a way to make it through these stressful times and get back to what she does best.

Do you feel bad for Miley? Share your thoughts in the comments.

But when Dad has been largely absent, does he have a right to step in when a celebrity child is in crisis? Think Michael Lohan, James Spears, or Partrick Lovato (Demi Lovato‘s estranged biological dad). Or, consider a doting father like Billy Ray Cyrus, who is now speaking openly about Miley Cyrus‘ private life, and re-thinking the wisdom of making her a child star in the first place. Does he have a right to stir the pot now?

Let’s think about this. In terms of human fathers, here’s the dismal truth social scientists are well aware of. Of all the primates, we homo sapiens have the widest range of paternal investment. In plain English that means that on one end of the scale there are dudes who act like a doting “Mrs. Doubtfire” and nurture their kids as well as the best mother. At the other end of the scale, are dudes who contribute no more than a teaspoon of sperm. And there’s everything in between.

The other thing about men is that most are not wired to nurture in the early years. Many men believe deep in their soul that paying child support is perfect parenting. Other men stay on the scene and when that kid is ready to pick up a ball or ride a bike, they are at the ready to be rough and tumble Dads.

So, do all Dads have a right to attempt to parent a teen or an adult child when they haven’t paid their dues as a parent? The answer is simple: They have a right to try. People with a biological interest in a child doing what they think is right, can only be positive. Think about the lengths Britney Spears‘ father had to go to not only become her conservator but to keep the gig when her management kept yanking him back into court to try to grab hold of the reins. Some people believe that his impassioned act as a divorced father saved Britney’s life.

Maybe the question should be, was their absence a catalyst for their daughter’s stardom in the first place? (Have you noticed that, except for Charlie Sheen, few fathers step in to rescue celebrity sons.) The answer is that it’s highly likely. The limelight and Hollywood entourage often serve as desperate surrogates for a early life attachment injury. The codling of a young celebrity becomes the absent parent, a false way to replace feelings of longing. Stardom also serves as a great way to finally get Daddy’s attention. Lawrence Fishburne divorced his daughter Montana’s mother when she was just five and went on to create another family. Nineteen-year-old Montana has now become a porn actress and I’ll bet she’s got A-List Daddy’s attention now!

Do father’s of celebrities fumble and make mistakes? Of course they do. Most of them are not seasoned fathers. At best, they were drop-in Dads. Should they be using the media to effort their cause and impose themselves on their kids lives? Of course not! But they’re guys. They’re doing the best they can.

To learn more about Dr. Wendy Walsh, visit her website at DrWendyWalsh.com.

Billy Ray, 49, tells People magazine that his comments in GQ were “explosive, and unintentionally so” and that he is now focusing his time on mending his relationship with his children and his estranged wife, Tish Cyrus.

Last week, Billy Ray told GQ magazine that he “never made a dime” off of his daughter (a claim that a source at Disney called “ludicrous“) and that his family was bring attacked by Satan.

Miley was reportedly “furious” over Billy Ray’s comment and a source connected with her camp likened Billy Ray to the notoriously press-happy Michael Lohan.

Billy Ray is now reportedly spending his time with 11-year-old daughter Noah Cyrus and his soon-to-be-ex wife, Tish. Billy Ray and Tish filed for divorce in 2010.

“My family is the most important thing I have, and we are working together to make sure our future is stronger and healthier,” Cyrus told People. “It is all a learning process, and we thank everyone for their support and respect of our privacy as we sort through very important family issues.”

Billy Ray and Miley have always had a very close relationship. Watch the two sing “Ready, Set, Don’t Go,” a song about a father trying to let his daughter go out into the world, below.

When asked about Billy Ray’s claim that he is making amends, Miley’s rep tells Celebuzz that they have “no comment.”

Do you hope that Billy Ray can mend things with Miley? Share your thoughts in the comments.

According to PopEater‘s Rob Shuter, the 18-year-old star is telling friends that she feels betrayed by Billy Ray’s public comments about their relationship.

“To say Miley is angry is an understatement,” a source tells Rob. “She’s furious that her own flesh and blood would make a private matter so public. Who does he think he is, Michael Lohan?”

Miley isn’t the only one who is upset over Billy Ray’s interview: An unnamed source at Disney told The Hollywood Reporter that Billy Ray’s claim that he “never made a dime” off his daughter was “ludicrous.” The source went on to say that Miley’s future with Disney is “TBD.”

Billy Ray slammed Disney in his GQ interview, telling the reporter that Hannah Montana “ruined [his] family” and that Miley is getting mixed up in a bad crowd.

Although Billy Ray claims that he never made any money off of his daughter, the two worked closely on Hannah Montana (Billy Ray played Miley’s on-screen father both on the TV show and in the Hannah Montana movies) and performed together several times.

Watch Billy Ray and Miley sing “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” together below.

What do you make of Billy Ray’s comments about Miley? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News Online.

In a blistering interview in March’s GQ Magazine, the Cyrus family patriarch goes on the offensive about many of the recent Miley Cyrus scandals in recent years, and the allusion that many make that he’s a stage dad getting rich off of his kids. Billy Ray, who says he’s “not been able to have a voice” until now, retorts:

“For the record … to set it straight, I want to tell you: I’ve never made a dime off of Miley. You got a lot of people have made percentages off of her. I’m proud to say to this day I’ve never made one commissioned dollar, or dime, off of my daughter.

Billy Ray lays a lot of the blame for Miley’s mishaps on her camp. He goes on:

“Every time something happened in Miley’s career, every time the train went off the track, if you will—Vanity Fair, pole-dancing, whatever scandal it was—her people, or as they say in today’s news, her handlers, every time they’d put me… ‘Somebody’s shooting at Miley! Put the old man up there!’ Well, I took it, because I’m her daddy, and that’s what daddies do. ‘Okay, nail me to the cross, I’ll take it.…All those people around, they used me every time. It became so obvious that, man, no matter what happens, they’re going to put you up there and let you take the bullet.”

Cyrus says he “started realizing I’m being used,” and has since tried to put an end to all of the outside influences calling the shots in his family.

For more of Billy Ray’s gripping interview, visit GQ.com.

Photo: Danielle Levitt/GQ

In light of the shocking video of the “Can’t Be Tamed” singer smoking the legal but potent drug salvia that surfaced on TMZ this morning, Miley’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, took to his Twitter account to express his dismay and disappointment.

The elder Cyrus wrote,

“Sorry guys. I had no idea. Just saw this stuff for the first time myself. Im so sad. There is much beyond my control right now.”

In the video, Cyrus is seen with friends, smoking salvia—which carries psychedelic properties—from a bong, then breaking into giggle fits and complaining that she’s experiencing a “bad trip” and complaining of “a f**king Liam [Hemsworth] lookalike” in the room.”

According to TMZ, the video was filmed a mere five days after Cyrus’ 18th birthday on November 23.

Are you as disappointed in Miley as her father is? Let us know in the comments section.

Though she was recently photographed with an adult beverage in Spain, the starlet tells MTV News her b-day festivities will be quite tame.

“I’m not going to go crazy; [just] have a fun party and then maybe take a vacation with my family … because that would be really cool. I think we need time to all be together,” she said. “So that would be rad if we could all go to the beach or something. … [I have] no idea [where we're going]; somewhere near water. I’m a water baby; I have to be near the water and I love doing scuba and going out and being on a boat.”

A family jaunt could be tough for Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, who have filed divorce and will have to negotiate custody of their children. Presumably not joining the family vacation is Liam Hemsworth, Miley’s on-and-off boyfriend, from whom she has reportedly split again.

Here’s hoping that despite the tough time she’s going through, Miley will blow out her eighteen candles with a big smile on her face. How should Miley celebrate her birthday? Have a wish for the singer-actress? Talk it out in the comments.

A source close to the “Can’t Be Tamed” songbird reveals to People magazine that Cyrus is remaining neutral in the wake of Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus‘ split, and doesn’t plan on airing her family’s dirty laundry in public:

“Miley is not taking any sides on this…She’s trying to keep everything private while her family works through this.”

The source does say, however, that the 17-year-old “has been upset recently.”

Cyrus’ approach is a wise one, according to psychiatrist Dr. Charles Sophy. Contacted by Celebuzz last week, Sophy counseled that teens in Miley’s position should avoid gravitating toward a particular parent:

“If they feel they’re being pulled into things by one parent or the other, they need to try to redirect. I know it’s tough with all of the talking about each other, but trying to ping pong is only going to hurt the children more.”

Besides, the rest of the world—or at least the tabloid industry—seems intent on providing the drama on Miley’s behalf; a report surfaced earlier this week that Billy Ray and Tish had split because the latter had taken up an affair with Miley’s musical collaborator and Rock of Love star Bret Michaels. Michaels’ rep categorically denied the rumor to Celebuzz on Tuesday, calling it “completely unfounded and a complete fabrication.”

Billy Ray and Tish filed for divorce after 17 years of marriage late last month. At the time of the filing, the couple issued a statement noting that they’re “trying to work through personal matters.”

It goes without saying that coping with her parents’ split and continuing work on her high-profile career won’t be easy for Miley, so Celebuzz reached out to a few of our trusted experts for their advice on how Miley can get through the difficult time.

“Divorce is usually harder on a high-profile teen because it will also impact their career and image,” psychiatrist and CEO at Council for Relationships Dr. Brendan Greer tells Celebuzz. “They are already handling some very serious roles as a breadwinner and a performer and this just adds more stress to an already complicated life.”

Complicating matters for Miley is the fact that Billy Ray and Tish are not only her parents, but also her business managers.

Working with her parents throughout their divorce (and custody proceedings) means a high-profile teen like Miley now has “the added burden of having to work with someone that they’re very mad at – Mom and/or Dad,” according to Greer.

Miley’s best course of action, he says, would be to prioritize her home life.

“Get out of thinking ‘what is this going to do to my career’ and start thinking ‘what is this going to do to my family?’” Dr. Greer said. “Focus on personal, not professional life right now.”

Therapy and time to reflect is crucial, experts say, because even though Miley is on the verge of adulthood herself, her parents’ split will be no less difficult for her.

“If you’re older, you have a better understanding of what has gone down and you’re going to have more of an opinion,” psychiatrist Dr. Charles Sophy told Celebuzz. “You know if your mom or dad had an affair.”

No matter the circumstances of the Cyrus split, experts say it’s important for Miley’s emotional health that she maintain a relationship with each of her parents.

Teens like Miley “should not take a side,” Dr. Sophy said. “If they feel they’re being pulled into things by one parent or the other, they need to try to redirect. I know it’s tough with all of the talking about each other, but trying to ping pong is only going to hurt the children more.”

Celebuzz’s thoughts are with Miley and the Cyrus family! Leave them your support in the comments.

People magazine reports that “Achy Breaky Heart” singer Cyrus, who filed for divorce from his wife, Leticia “Tish” Cyrus, on Tuesday, is seeking joint custody of the couple’s three children— Hannah Montana star Miley (who turns 18 in November), son Braison, 16, and ten-year-old daughter Noah. In the papers filed by Cyrus on Tuesday, he notes that he seeks to “share the care, custody and control” of the children. The divorce papers go on to note that the couple have split due to “irreconcilable differences.”

The singer/actor is also apparently seeking the support of the Almighty in this time of personal trouble; Cyrus took to his Twitter account on Tuesday to quote the Bible verse Psalm 91, writing,

“He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you shall take refuge. Truth will be your shield and buckler.”

In a separate post, he wrote, 

“Can I ask for your prayers this morning for my children…our troops…the hungry…the sick…the homeless. AMEN.”

PEOPLE broke the news of the split, as the couple plans on going their separate ways after 17 years of marriage. In a statement to the magazine, the couple said it is currently “a very difficult time for our family,” and that they’re “trying to work through some personal matters. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”

Both Billy Ray and Tish have been instrumental in Miley’s success, serving as managers for the Hannah Montana starlet. Watch a clip of Billy Ray and Miley talking about their path to fame in this 20/20 interview:

Faux Miley did an interview with “Johnny Depp,” portrayed by another SNL newcomer, Paul Brittian.  Check out the skit here:

They say you know you’ve made it when you’re impersonated on SNL – but will Miley be flattered or offended? What does the Miley Faithful think — is the skit funny or mean? Weigh in via the poll below. 

The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer and father to Miley Cyrus (you might have heard of her) has signed on with the Syfy network to star in a new reality series entitled UFO: Unbelievably Freakin’ Obvious, in which he and his son Trace Cyrus will travel across the country, exploring conspiracy theories involving paranormal activities such as flying saucers and other freaky occurrences. Says Cyrus of the new venture,

“The existence of paranormal phenomena is something I’ve always wanted to explore further. Getting the opportunity to take this adventure with my son, who has always had a keen interest in this area, is a dream come true. I hope this series can shine a light on some of the activities we have questioned, and the mysteries that have long inspired us.”

Adds Syfy VP of Original Programming Mark Stern,

“Allegations of cover-up and conspiracy around unexplained phenomena has inspired heated debate for decades, and it will be interesting to see what truth Billy Ray and Trace may discover.”

Perhaps, while the pair is out there, they can uncover the mystery of why Billy Ray ever thought that mega-mullet that he sported in his heyday was a good idea.

Are you ready to join Billy Ray and Trace on their fearless journey for the truth about paranormal activity, no matter where it might lead them? Let us know in the comments section.

» Follow Celebuzz on Twitter | Facebook

BUZZINGS: More Celeb Goodness

• Spencer Pratt’s Bluff Called? — The Superficial

• A Chat With Jackson Rathbone– BuzzNet

• Rolling Stone Photoshop Disaster — BuzzFeed

The country music legend recently joked with reporters about being Miley’s “fairy godmother” when the two performed together at Dollywood in Tennessee.

Dolly has known Miley since the “Can’t Be Tamed Singer” was born: Dolly befriended Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, when he shot to fame with his country-pop hit “Achy Breaky Heart” in the ’90s. Since then, Dolly has been a real role model for Miley. Billy recently revealed their relationship in an interview:

It’s great that she has someone like Dolly to idolize, someone to look up to. Having that type of influence in her life, it’s so amazing and so special.

We have to admit, if there was one woman we would want to be our fairy godmother, it would have to be Dolly.

The “Can’t Be Tamed” singer looked pretty exhausted when she arrived at LAX from Nashville in her short shorts, leaving papa Billy Ray Cyrus to carry her luggage as they waited for a car.

The 17-year-old pop star kept her look chic and airport appropriate with some comfy clogs, a loose white tank, and a slouchy gray cardigan. Even though her outfit probably kept her comfy on the plane, it looks like Miley’s jet-lag is starting to catch up with her.

Click here for more photos and check out all our fashion coverage over at Fashion FAILs and FTWs.

Billy Ray Cyrus has finally spoken out about the video of his underage daughter, Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus, grinding against her 44-year-old producer Adam Shankman‘s crotch and giving him a lapdance. Surprise: He’s totally okay with it!

Responding to TMZ, the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer shrugged,

“It’s what people her age do.”

Papa Cyrus went on to opine that Miley, who was just 16 when the video was filmed, was merely “having fun.”

And you know, maybe Billy Ray has a point. In fact, in this modern day and age, kids even younger than Miley engage in this type of behavior. Of course, they’re also Billy Ray’s kids, so take that for what it’s worth…

Are you on Team Cyrus with this one, or do you think Miley’s lapdance display was totally inappropriate? Let us know in the comments section!