Miley Cyrus has been in the public eye for nearly her entire life, evolving from a child star on Disney’s *Hannah Montana* to a bold, boundary-pushing pop icon.

Known for her rebellious image and fearless self-expression, she has navigated the pressures of fame, family dynamics, and personal growth under intense scrutiny.

In a candid interview with Lulu Garcia Navarro, Miley opens up about her journey—her struggles with identity, the challenges of shedding her Disney past, the importance of therapy, and how she has reclaimed control over her life and artistry.

This article delves into Miley’s reflections on fame, rage, healing, and the evolving definition of beauty.

 

Miley describes her experience at the Met Gala as feeling like a “misfit,” sitting with strangers and missing the comfort of familiar company.

Despite this, she embraces her outsider status, reflecting her broader comfort with being different.

She recalls bonding with musician Jon Batiste, who immediately connected with her by asking about her favorite musical keys—a question no one had ever asked her before.

This moment of genuine connection highlights Miley’s desire for authenticity amid the often superficial world of celebrity.

A key theme in Miley’s interview is her growing sense of control and self-awareness.

She explains how she has learned to recognize when she feels unsafe or uncomfortable, describing a physical sensation in her throat that signals her boundaries are being crossed.

Miley has adopted the mantra “don’t run,” encouraging herself to face discomfort rather than flee from it.

She also talks about “mothering” herself—providing the safety and comfort she once relied on from her own mother, Tish.

This self-care is both a response to growing independence and a way to navigate the emotional complexities of adulthood and fame.

 

Miley candidly discusses the difficulty of overcoming her Disney persona to be recognized as a serious artist.

Despite her massive success, including winning her first Grammy for the song “Flowers,” she felt overlooked for years.

She attributes this partly to the stigma attached to former Disney stars and the challenge of shedding a childhood character that defined her public image.

Miley also notes how female rebellion in the music industry can delay critical acceptance, explaining that her boldness and openness about sexuality may have made it harder for some to take her seriously.

 

Her new album, *Something Beautiful*, is an exploration of redefining beauty.

Miley explains that beauty isn’t just about joy or physical appearance but also includes painful and complex emotions like grief and rage.

She shares how she experienced physical pain for years due to suppressing anger and emphasizes the importance of expressing rage in a healthy way.

For Miley, rage is a sign of being alive and connected to one’s feelings, and she encourages others, especially women, to acknowledge and channel their anger constructively.

 

Miley’s music reflects her emotional journey.

She describes her songs as either “normal music,” which is straightforward and accessible, or “weird music,” which challenges listeners and provokes thought.

This duality mirrors her own complexity and refusal to be pigeonholed.

The lead single from her album, “The End of the World,” was inspired by a moment of vulnerability when her mother went on a trip without her, evoking feelings of loss and the fragility of life.

Miley’s performances are deeply personal, often moving her to tears, especially when singing about family and mortality.

 

For the first time, Miley is releasing a visual album to accompany *Something Beautiful*.

She explains that this project is about focusing on one form of expression—her music and storytelling—rather than diversifying into ventures like makeup lines, which don’t align with her passions.

The visual album allows her to create a cohesive artistic statement that combines her love of music, piano, and narrative, offering fans a more immersive experience.

Miley reflects on her childhood, revealing that she was bullied in middle school, partly due to the attention she received as the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus.

She describes middle school as a shy and difficult time when she wanted to stay under the radar.

This period contrasts with her earlier years, where she enjoyed attention and performing.

The experience of bullying and navigating early fame has shaped her resilience and empathy, especially toward young performers facing similar challenges today.

 

A significant part of Miley’s journey has been her commitment to therapy.

She has been in consistent therapy since her late teens, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a form of trauma therapy.

Miley shares a powerful experience during EMDR where she visualized herself and her mother being handed to her grandmother, symbolizing generational healing and connection.

This therapy helped her overcome stage fright and release deep-seated anxieties rooted in family history.

She acknowledges carrying emotional burdens passed down from her mother and is actively working to heal those wounds.

 

Miley discusses the complexities of her family life, including her parents’ relationships and the public scrutiny they face.

She expresses compassion for her father’s difficult upbringing and acknowledges the challenges of navigating family dynamics in the spotlight.

Over time, she has learned to separate her adult perspective from her childhood feelings, allowing her to appreciate her parents as individuals.

This maturity has helped mend strained relationships and foster understanding.

 

Miley has been sober for over two years, a decision motivated by the need to protect her vocal cords and overall health.

She contrasts her approach to sobriety with her father’s, noting generational differences in attitudes toward mental health and support.

While sobriety remains a personal journey, Miley embraces it as part of her broader commitment to self-care and authenticity.

 

As Miley reflects on her career, she reveals a shifting relationship with mainstream success.

While she has achieved commercial acclaim, she is beginning to wind down the pressure she places on herself to meet industry expectations.

Her current album represents a “big bet” and a turning point, after which she plans to approach her career with less intensity and more freedom.

This evolution underscores her desire to balance artistic integrity with personal well-being.

 

Miley Cyrus’s story is one of transformation, courage, and healing.

From a young Disney star to a confident artist unafraid to express her rage and vulnerability, she has navigated the complexities of fame with honesty and grace.

Therapy has played a crucial role in her journey, helping her confront trauma and reclaim her sense of self.

As she continues to evolve, Miley remains committed to authenticity, redefining beauty on her own terms, and inspiring others to embrace their full emotional spectrum.

Her journey reminds us that beneath the spotlight, there is a human being striving for connection, growth, and peace.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.