Looking ahead, Miley expressed interest in hosting a roundtable discussion with fellow former child actors, including Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, to explore shared experiences
Global pop icon and actress Miley Cyrus opened up in a candid and introspective interview with The New York Times’ The Interview podcast, sharing rare insights into her journey from child stardom to Grammy winner, and her concerns for the next generation of young artists.
Miley, who rose to fame as a teenager starring in Disney’s Hannah Montana, said that despite being thrust into the limelight at a young age, she felt unusually prepared for the spotlight. “I’ve known fame since the moment I was born,” she said. “I’ve never known anything else… so I was really well prepared in a way that’s hard to train yourself for.”
As the daughter of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus and goddaughter of Dolly Parton, Miley said she grew up with an innate understanding of celebrity culture and the music industry. “I already had the handbook because they did the same thing to my dad, and to Dolly,” she explained. “I understand the business I’m in. I am in the music industry, I’m in the record business. When I sign a contract, they’re buying records they wish to sell. I’m setting myself up to become merchandise.”
Now 31 and having just released her ninth studio album Something Beautiful, Miley finally received her first Grammy Award in 2024 for her chart-topping single Flowers. The recognition, however, was bittersweet after years of feeling overlooked.
“There were other Disney artists who dominated in those categories. I remember being broken-hearted because The Jonas Brothers got asked to perform with Stevie Wonder, and I never got an opportunity like that,” she recalled. “My show had been on air for years before. I had everyone on it—Dolly Parton, Vicki Lawrence. Somewhere, those awards never happening actually became a blessing. People became my reward.”
She admitted that despite years of effort, she once questioned whether she was “doing enough” to deserve that level of validation. “I felt like, ‘What am I not doing?’ Because if we’re doing the equation, I feel like it equals some sort of validation.”
The Flowers singer also reflected on her infamous 2013 MTV VMA performance with Robin Thicke, which sparked controversy and widespread media backlash. Now, she sees that moment differently. “I see adults not acting like it,” she said. “I would never judge someone that’s 18, 19, 20, 21 years old as an adult, because they’re not yet.”
“There was even a petition: ‘Millions of Moms Against Miley.’ Isn’t that crazy? In 2013, maybe it felt shocking, but when you watch it back—it really wasn’t that wild. I was dressed as a teddy bear.” Miley also spoke about her concern for today’s young stars, especially singer Sabrina Carpenter, whom she sees touring relentlessly. “Every time I see her I have the urge to ask her if she’s OK. She’ll be performing in Ireland, and then the next day in Kansas. I don’t know how that could be physically OK.”
She stressed the need for mental health support for young performers: “Ariana [Grande] says there should be therapy for child actors, and I totally agree. There should be a weekly check-in.” Having been in consistent therapy herself since age 17, Miley said it helped her deal with the lasting effects of being a child star. “I think I’ve cleared up a lot of the feelings that I had about being a child star.”
Despite her early struggles, Miley expressed admiration for the “new girls” in the industry, noting that today’s artists appear more self-assured than she felt at their age. “They’re all unique and very found. I like people who have found themselves, because I don’t think I had myself totally figured out yet.”
Looking ahead, Miley expressed interest in hosting a roundtable discussion with fellow former child actors, including Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, to explore shared experiences. “I would totally love to. I think people that grew up in the same position—it would be really sick to do a round table,” she said. From navigating fame to mentoring rising stars, Miley Cyrus continues to evolve, using her journey as both a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration.
