Billy Ray Cyrus says "Hannah Montana" ruined his life and family

**Jenna** · 02-15-11, 05:34 PM

These days Billy Ray Cyrus's life is imitating a bad country song: He's headed for a messy divorce, his record company just delayed his latest comeback, and his cherished 18-year-old daughter seems destined to rip bong hits at every party in the U.S.A.

I point out to him that the examples he's just given—Kurt Cobain, Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson—are all pretty terrifying. Does he really think Miley is in that kind of situation?
"I don't know. I'm her daddy so maybe I'm a little sensitive to it, but now's a real good time to make sure everything's okay. An ounce of prevention's worth a pound of cure."

"Somewhere along this journey," he says, "both mine and Miley's faith has been shaken. That saddens me the most." When they first came to Hollywood for Hannah Montana, the two of them would drive down the freeway together to the studio each morning, and every day Miley would point out the sign that said

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY
ATHEISTS UNITED

Just before moving out to Los Angeles, the whole family had been baptized together by their pastor at the People's Church in Franklin, Tennessee. "It was Tish's idea," he remembers. "She said, 'We're going to be under attack, and we have to be strong in our faith and we're all going to be baptized...'" And there, driving to work each day in the City of Angels, was this sign. "A physical sign. It could have easily said 'You will now be attacked by Satan.' 'Entering this industry, you are now on the highway to darkness...'"
Do you really see it in such clearly spiritual terms—that your family was under attack by Satan?
"I think we are right now. No doubt. There's no doubt about it."
And why is that happening?
"It's the way it is. There has always been a battle between good and evil. Always will be. You think, 'This is a chance to make family entertainment, bring families together...' and look what it's turned into."
Hannah Montana probably has brought a lot of families together—just not one...
"Yeah. I know. I know. I know."
And do you see the show as a big part of what has made things not work in your family?
"Oh, it's huge—it destroyed my family. I'll tell you right now—the damn show destroyed my family. And I sit there and go, 'Yeah, you know what? Some gave all.' It is my motto, and guess what? I have to eat that one. I some-gave-all'd it all right. I some-gave-all'd it while everybody else was going to the bank. It's all sad."
Do you wish Hannah Montana had never happened?
"I hate to say it, but yes, I do. Yeah. I'd take it back in a second. For my family to be here and just be everybody okay, safe and sound and happy and normal, would have been fantastic. Heck, yeah. I'd erase it all in a second if I could."

More here: Billy Ray Cyrus: 'Hannah Montana destroyed my family' | The Music Mix | EW.com

**Autumn2009** · 02-15-11, 06:45 PM

Err Miley Cyrus compared to Kurt Coban.....don't see the comparison. LOL

**Ducky** · 02-15-11, 07:59 PM

The Billy Ray Cyrus costume now comes with a drama queen crown.

**pgg** · 02-15-11, 08:09 PM

Maybe he should grow his mullet back

**Hawk1** · 02-15-11, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Autumn2009

Err Miley Cyrus compared to Kurt Coban.....don't see the comparison. LOL

Hey..I do..both are overrated

**luckyme** · 02-16-11, 12:13 AM

Growing up in hollywood isn't good for young girls? Might corrupt them? Na, I don't believe it.

**mack** · 02-16-11, 07:03 AM

He is just worried his meal ticket has run out

**countybear** · 02-16-11, 08:14 AM

There are perceptions we never see, but still remain a reality to those who do. A life lived publicly has been the bane of many existences, and honestly, the downfall of the vast majority who have undertaken it. Success stories of many celebrities (as we percieve them) are likened to Cinderella, when in fact, they are more akin to bondage than to freedom and independence. For Cyrus to say his families life is a spiritual war, I can believe that it is.

Growing up in fame is growing up with certain expecations, and always being dependent upon that fame (and what it takes to continue it), is enough to destroy even the staunchest of souls.

APB · 02-16-11, 09:44 AM

I went to school with a girl who is now a serious movie and TV star. She was in her first major film while we were in high school. She was, and remains, a nice person, but what happened was that she was literally removed and elevated from us... it was clearly observable even when she came back to school to graduate after having been away on sets for a couple of months.

While I agree that the isolation is tough, most likely, the reality is that at any point, you can choose to wind your career down if you really want to, and once you've been in a few films, or whatever, you can afford to retire. The media and public have a short memory, ultimately, and after a few years you'll likely be able to resume a semi-normal lifestyle once you're out of the public view.

Those who end up with problems are those who become addicted to the fame. Like any other drug, they keep wanting to come back for more, and better, in what we in LE all know is ultimately a doomed battle. There are those who weather fame gracefully, and keep working in the public eye because of personal reasons, of course, but many of the younger actors/etc I see nowadays fall into the trap of "more".