The ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ singer filed for divorce from Firerose in June 2024 after eight months of marriage. Firerose’s recent statement came after Trace shared an open letter to Billy Ray to address his family’s concerns. “Since my earliest memories, all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever,” Trace wrote. “I wanted to be just like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life. Sadly the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognise now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you.”.
Trace acknowledged that his father might be upset with his post but he “really could care less,” adding: “Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away.”. Trace’s post came after Billy Ray pushed back against criticism of his performance, sharing a video of himself performing his 1992 hit “Achy Breaky Heart” to Instagram.
“This was the most fun part of the Liberty Ball! And if you didn’t see it… you just had to be there,” he captioned the post. Billy Ray caused consternation at the event by wandering around the stage during a half-hearted rendition of “Old Town Road,” his 2019 collaboration with Lil Nas X.
