Miley Cyrus, now 33, has spent two decades in the public eye, starting with her breakout role in Hannah Montana. Born to country star Billy Ray Cyrus and with Dolly Parton as her godmother, a career in music seemed inevitable. Drawing from Parton’s wisdom and her own journey, Cyrus has navigated fame’s challenges, including early controversies like her provocative Wrecking Ball video and performances.
Lessons from Dolly Parton and Early Fame
Cyrus recently joined Parton for a duet of ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ to celebrate the country icon’s 80th birthday. She expressed deep admiration, stating, ‘I not only love her, I am in awe of her. Her motto of “You do you and I’ll do me” is something I always hold on to.’ Reflecting on her shift from Hannah Montana, Cyrus noted the heavy judgment she faced: ‘When I first transitioned away from Hannah Montana I felt a lot of judgment, and I wish I had taken that advice then. Nobody should feel judged when all they are trying to do is find their own identity and place in the world.’
Debuting in 2006 as the dual-life teen in Disney’s Hannah Montana, Cyrus later rebelled against the wholesome image, earning a ‘wild child’ label. Today, she embraces her origins: ‘For so long I tried to shake the image, but now I am confident on who I am. I look back with great memories. If it weren’t for Hannah, I wouldn’t be where I am now.’ With the show’s 20th anniversary approaching next month, she looks forward to potential celebrations, adding, ‘I find it incredibly cool that the girls who used to watch the show will be around my age now – it’s like we have grown up together. Hopefully we can do something really fun to celebrate the anniversary.’
Professional Triumphs and Personal Growth
Cyrus’s career continues to soar. In 2024, she secured her first two Grammy wins with the global hit ‘Flowers,’ which topped charts in over 40 countries. Her ninth album, Something Beautiful, released last year, earned widespread praise.
On the personal front, Cyrus announced her engagement to musician Maxx Morando, 27, in December after four years together, sparked by a 2021 blind date. Following her 2020 divorce from Liam Hemsworth, she prioritizes privacy: ‘Life teaches you lessons, and sometimes you have to learn the hard way. This time I am a lot more protective of my relationship and we both really value our privacy.’ Despite the six-year age difference, she appreciates his perspective: ‘He looks at life really differently than I do. He grew up with a laptop. I had a desktop computer that I shared with my brothers and sisters.’ One of six siblings, Cyrus praised Morando: ‘He is amazing, he helps me be a better artist as well as a better person – and I love that he doesn’t take life too seriously. I needed that.’
Addressing Past Judgment and Industry Responsibilities
In 2023, Cyrus discussed lingering guilt from her younger years’ controversies but affirmed, ‘Now that I’m an adult, I realise how harshly I was judged.’ She calls for better protection in the industry: ‘The star reckons the industry needs to “let kids be kids”, no matter how huge a star they are. They can never get that time back, I know I can’t, and the big players have a duty to protect them.’
Advice for Emerging Artists
With 20 years of experience, Cyrus offers guidance to young talents: ‘Don’t Google yourself. People can be really cruel online and no good can come from reading it. Have boundaries, protect your mental health, and don’t be afraid to say no.’ Her confidence stems from pivotal moments, like her 2019 Glastonbury performance: ‘Even now when I start to get fearful of something, I just think back to my Glastonbury performance and I believe I can do anything. It’s honestly not an overreaction to say Glastonbury changed my life.’
