Miley Ray Cyrus is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who has made a name for herself as one of the most influential entertainers of all time. She started as a teenage star on the Disney Channel, but quickly evolved into a multi-genre artist with a style all her own. In her career, Miley has explored pop, hip-hop, rock, and country music, fusing them into her unique and memorable sound. She has achieved international success, won a Grammy for Pop Music, and established herself as an LGBTQ+ advocate. From her rise to super stardom to her determination to break boundaries, Miley Cyrus has become a genre-bending maverick who continues to push the boundaries of the music industry.
Early Career and Rise to Stardom
Before entering the music spotlight, Miley Cyrus honed her talents as a child actress. She appeared in Tim Burton’s 2003 movie “Big Fish” and then landed a leading role in the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana” in 2006. Though many of her earliest songs were featured on the show’s soundtrack, in 2007 she began to pursue her music career more seriously.
At the age of 14, Miley released a two-disc album, “Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus” which introduced fans to her new image and sound. With this release, her rise to stardom had officially begun. Soon, Miley Cyrus gained the respect of her peers in the industry, performing at the VMAs and even going on tour with the Jonas Brothers.
Her third studio album, “Breakout,” was released to critical and commercial success in 2008, solidifying her place in the pop music industry. This vibrant collection of pop and rock tracks launched her as one of the most diverse and iconic pop music figures of the decade.
The “Bangerz” Era and Genre-Bending Tracks
In 2013, Miley released her fourth studio album, “Bangerz,” which remains one of her most commercially successful and critically-acclaimed projects to date. This album combined her trademark pop sound with more diverse elements such as electro-pop and hip-hop, drawing inspiration from artists such as Lana Del Rey, Britney Spears, and Lil Wayne.
This record saw Miley embracing the hip-hop scene, introducing fans to a new, confounder style of her own. Whether it was rock-tinged bops such as “Adore You” and “We Can’t Stop”, or trap-influenced tracks such as “23” and “#GETITRIGHT,” Miley shined with her genre-bending lyrics and sound.
Her follow-up album, “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz,” was even more left-field, an experimental psychedelic record featuring collaborations with pop and hip-hop artists such as Ariel Pink and Big Sean.
Continued Gospel Influence and Country Music
In 2019 Miley released “SHE IS COMING,” her sixth studio record, which saw her once again embracing her roots and incorporating a blend of hip-hop and country music. This collection contains country bops such as “Cattitude” as well as heavy hip-hop tracks like “D.R.E.A.M.”, with elements of rock and gospel sprinkled throughout.
In 2020, Miley’s country influence was apparent in her EP “Plastic Hearts”, and her album “She Is Miley Cyrus” saw her further exploring and celebrating gospel and blues music. The release of her single “Midnight Sky” in August of 2020 was a triumphant blend of genres, showing that Miley continues to push boundaries with her genre-bending artistry.
LGBTQ+ Community Support
Throughout her career, Miley has been an outspoken ally to the LGBTQ+ community, serving as an advocate for queer rights. In 2020, she produced the documentary “Miley Cyrus: Bright Minded”, which featured conversations with celebrities and activists about LGBTQ+ rights. She was also a key organizer of “March for our Lives”, a march in Los Angeles in support of gun control and LGBTQ+ equality in 2018.
Miley has also partnered with The Happy Hippie Foundation, a youth-focused non-profit working to raise money for homeless and LGBTQ youth. The organization has provided resources to young people in need and funded numerous direct services, such as providing meals, medical care, and mental health counseling to homeless and struggling individuals.
A Constantly Evolving Artist
Miley Cyrus’ career has been a fascinating journey, with her ever-evolving sound and style illustrating her determination to break boundaries and fluently move between genres. She has gone from Disney starlet to a Grammy-winning, genre-bending maverick, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Miley continues to pursue her passion for music, while standing as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and a spokesperson for social justice and youth activism. Miley Cyrus is a multi-talented force to be reckoned with and we cannot wait to see what she does next.