Pop icon Miley Cyrus isn’t holding back anymore. In a candid new interview with The New York Times, the “Flowers” singer shared never-before-heard stories from her early years, revealing emotional wounds that shaped her fame, family ties, and identity.
From pretending to be a mannequin in mall windows as a child to seeking approval through global stardom, the 31-year-old artist said performance has always been in her bones. Long before Hannah Montana, young Miley would gather crowds by standing still outside stores, relishing the attention.
Now, the Grammy-winning star is turning the spotlight inward.
Billy Ray, divorce fallout, and middle school pain
Miley revealed the impact of growing up as Billy Ray Cyrus’s daughter at the peak of his “Achy Breaky Heart” fame. While classmates saw her as privileged, she felt targeted. She admitted she was bullied in middle school because people assumed she thought she was special. What really hurt, she said, was how that perception made others feel less than.
Even decades later, the sting remains. She joked that part of her still wishes someone would claim she was actually popular, just to rewrite the memory.
But the emotional strain didn’t end in adolescence. When Billy Ray divorced her mom, Tish, in 2022, and entered a troubled relationship with Australian singer Firerose, things got worse. The family grew distant, and Miley blamed her father for the rift. She has since forgiven him but acknowledged that their already complicated dynamic was tested further by fame and competition.
She said she now sees her parents as individuals instead of just mom and dad, adding that it’s been difficult separating childhood pain from adult perspective.
Dolly Parton, therapy, and healing
While family relationships strained her, one figure stood out as a source of comfort: Dolly Parton. Miley said their connection felt instantly safe when the country legend visited the Hannah Montana set. Her first impression wasn’t fear or awe—it was ease. Parton later became Miley’s godmother by choice.
Miley also credited eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with saving her life. In one session, she visualized her life like a movie and uncovered inherited trauma from her mom, who was adopted. The insecurity her mother felt, she said, somehow became hers too.
She admitted to often carrying pain that doesn’t even belong to her, something she’s now working to release.
Despite the chaos, Miley remains grounded. She said her drive to entertain is rooted in joy, not fame, and that love—especially for her family—remains at the core of her evolution.
As Miley put it, her child self has finally caught up—and she’s learning to let go of what was never hers to hold.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.