He may not be the best celebrity contestant of the bunch, but on Monday’s Dancing with the Stars, Billy Ray Cyrus was among the most talked about thanks to an unforgettable pant-splitting episode, hunky group dance moves (in ’40s army wear) and, of course, that unflappable smile (even Ian Ziering was told to try and tap into Cyrus’s impassioned effort). Knowing the end is likely near, we caught up with the country star (and dad of pre-teen TV/pop star Miley Cyrus) and his dancing partner Karina Smirnoff to see what the future holds. What we learned is that when it comes to the Cyrus clan, it’s all about synergy… and Sanjaya.
EW: So what happened out there tonight, you guys?
Karina: We were doing the jive, and Billy Ray had to do a jump and a sit, and as he did the sit, the pants split, so he freaked out and looked underneath, and there was the crotch shot.
Billy Ray: The thing is, on last week’s show, the dance of love, I tried really hard technically to do all the things right, so that the judges would love it and I would make Karina proud. I tried my head off, but [the judges said] it ended up looking like hanky-panky in the back seat of a Chevy. That hurt my feelings! So I told Karina, "If they’re going to give us comments about hanky-panky, let’s give them hanky-panky!"
Karina: But doesn’t he look good in the uniform? I’d want to do hanky-panky with a man dressed like that!
EW: With Idol taping next door, have you had any interesting run-ins with the contestants?
Billy Ray: I’ve met most of them. They see me out there and ask for my picture. They’re all so young. But it was ironic that a week ago, Sanjaya [and I] did a picture in the elevator and the next night, he got eliminated. I figured I’d be going before he does. But he’s gonna possibly come do a guest spot on Hannah Montana, because he’s a fan of the show. But enough about Sanjaya, let me give you a hot tip about Karina who is starting to film her next episode of Hannah Montana. She’s done her first role as an actress, she has a lot of dialogue, and I’ve been telling everyone, she’s great at it. She’s an actress with instincts, like she is as a dancer, and I think she will learn quickly.
EW: What’s the role, Karina?
Karina: I’m a fortune teller, and I foresee a lot of pain! [laughs]
Billy Ray:She has three scenes with the kids, but in the end,it’s just me and her. I go to the fortune teller, and she tells me I’mgonna be suffering, and my knees are gonna be hurting.
EW: I know they don’t let you pick your own music on Dancing with the Stars, but if you could dance to one song this season, which would it be?
Billy Ray: I just recorded "Over the Rainbow," and myinspiration was Eva Cassidy’s version. She was a tremendous artist,maybe one of the greatest, only she wasn’t discovered hugely untilafter she passed away. I’m a big fan of her version, so I recorded itfor a new album that comes out in September on Walt Disney Records. Mydream would be to perhaps incorporate dancing into some of my concerts,where Karina would come out in the middle of the show and dance to"Over the Rainbow" or "You’ve Got a Friend" by James Taylor. I alsore-cut "Brown-Eyed Girl" — Karina’s gonna dance in the video — and "PutA Little Love in My Heart." The world needs that song right now,there’s a lot of hatred going on.
EW: Is this a covers album?
Billy Ray: No, only those songs, and I wrote the rest of thealbum. To be honest, I wasn’t gonna make another album. My last albumwas a joke. I Want My Mullet Back, it was as tacky as anythingI’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot of tacky things. After that album,I said, "This is it, I quit." But I’ve never tried anything classy, andI started thinking about Eva Cassidy and other songs and artists thatinspired me, and I said, "We’ll make one more album." So then Disneylaid a contract on me, they seemed pretty serious about integrity, andhere we are. Tomorrow, I’m doing a photo shoot for the album cover.Wanna come?
I understand that when celebrities talk, they are usually doing it to promote some upcoming project of theirs. But most of them do it with a little bit more subtlety than Billy Ray. The entire interview sounds like one big commercial. I wonder if anyone has counted how many times he says “Disney” or “Hannah Montana” on DWTS….
Billy Ray Cyrus recording the Eva Cassidy version of “Over the Rainbow.” In the words of Joey Lawrence ala Blossom, “Whoa.”
The unintentional comedy meter with this interview almost broke.
First, there’s BILLY RAY CYRUS people(!) commenting about someone else’s acting.
Also, like Jessica, I’ve noticed that whenever he mentions his new album (which is a LOT) he always feels compelled to add “on Walt Disney Records.” To me it makes him sound an awful lot like “Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration.”
Cut the poor guy some slack. I was never a fan of his during the Achy-Breaky days, but dude’s changed my mind. Sounds like a decent guy.
I have noticed that Billy Ray talks a lot about his C.D. and Hannah Montana. He seems stuck on himself because all he ever does is talk about himself. Billy Ray can NOT dance or sing. Whoever gave that man his first record deal needs to be drowned in the toilet because they’re stupid. His Daughter “Miley” she can’t sing either, I mean she’s awful and I don’t like either one of them. They’re both untalented and dorky. I want Billy Ray Cyrus to leave Dancing With the Stars tonight because he’s their worst dancer now. Go Apolo and Julianne.
I have to apologize for my last post. Now that I read it, I see that it’s very impolite and cranky – and I’m sorry.
Billy Ray and Miley, bless your hearts, at least you’re working. This industry that eats its young and spits people out when they’re not useful anymore. Good for the two of you to have careers.
LOL…HA HA..”Bab Vance of Vance Refridgeration” Nice shout out to “The Office”!!
I went to Monday night’s show and, I have to admit, Ackey-Bracky Kid was the the most entertaining in person. The camera missed – i think – the scene where Ratzenberger hugged Wendt after the group dance. I believe that tonight is bye-bye to Paulie’s ex. We had a great time there – even though you can’t see everything when the plop you down in the balcony. We were on-camera and my wife (who’s the bigger fan) had a great time. There was this idiot usher in the bacony who tried to make us sit down during the commercial breaks but we just ignored him.
I like Billy Ray Cyrus and that is the great thing about Dancing with the Stars. You get to see and like these people. They are trying so hard and doing their best at something I sure wouldn’t do. So I am glad for them all, even Tucker Carlson. He became more of a real person than the vicious spewer of republican crap.
I think Billy covering ‘Over the Rainbow’should be popwatch’s next “Things That Make me Die Inside” post…
Ok, some idiot is impersonating me. My last comment was not truly me. Some F*c*stick is impersonating me and It’s not making me mad, It’s just showing what a crumb that person really is. I think everyone knows who needs Doctor Laura.
I’m sorry again. I think I need to adjust my medication.
One large room ready for the idiot who keeps impersonating me. Call your local hospital. Equipped with the latest technology: Food server, guarenteed super deluxe ruber walls, one way bathroom, Tempered steel bars in windows, 24 hour nurse and a security guard posted outside door. All it takes is a phone call.
It’s just another manic Monday. They are singing your song.
Who was voted off tonight? I missed the show!