Kobe Bryant: 'The Talk' sees Billy Ray Cyrus pay tribute with moving cover of Neil Diamond's 'I Am, I Said'
On Wednesday’s episode of the Emmy-winning CBS daytime talk show ‘The Talk’, a special guest visited co-hosts Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, rapper Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba and Marie Osmond.
American singer-songwriter and father of pop star Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus visited the sets. Cyrus not only spoke to the hosts about the Grammys, but he also gave a special performance in memory of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Bryant, his teenage daughter Gianna, and seven other people were killed when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, near Malibu, while en route to Camarillo Airport in Ventura County, California, near Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy on January 26.
Cyrus discussed his two Grammy Award wins with Lil Nas X. In the Grammys, Cyrus and Lil Nas X took home two Grammy awards for best pop duo/group performance and best music video.
When rapper Eve said, “Thank you for believing in that young artist. Because that’s an amazing thing as an artist for someone of your caliber, to do that,” Cyrus responded with, “He’s a light in the world, and I knew it as soon as I heard his voice and when I'd seen him, it was even more evident. I didn’t really get to thank Lil Nas X at the Grammys, and so, I’d like to say it now. Thank you, Lil Naz X, for giving me a shot at this thing.”
Talking about Bryant’s death, Cyrus said, “My heart just sank… They handed me the Grammys and they said congratulations, but I just couldn't find the happy. I'm not a good enough actor to even pretend I was happy, and it just turned out much different... I pray for Kobe and his family and all the families out there. It's just been a tough thing. The city of Los Angeles, all the fans around the world, we are all mourning.”
That wasn’t all. He also performed a cover of Neil Diamond’s 1971 hit ‘I Am… I Said’ in memory of Bryant and the other victims.
'The Talk' airs Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. PT.