As a fan of Miley Cyrus, I must say that her journey from Hannah Montana to the pop sensation we know today is nothing short of incredible. It’s fascinating to see how she’s evolved and grown as an artist, yet managed to maintain her connection with her roots. Her speech at D23 was a heartfelt testament to her past experiences, reminding us all that our humble beginnings often shape who we become.
Looking back now, it’s astonishing how prescient the show “Hannah Montana” turned out to be. By embodying Miley Stewart, a character who led a dual life as the famous pop star Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus kick-started her acting career. However, this role served as a stepping stone for Cyrus to embark on a successful singing career. In the years that followed, she released numerous chart-topping hits like “Wrecking Ball” and “Flowers,” earning countless awards and becoming one of the most prominent figures in contemporary music.
Nevertheless, it’s hard not to speculate about a scenario where Miley Cyrus pursued acting as her primary career path instead of music. Her initial foray into “Saturday Night Live” hosting suggested a bright future in films and TV for the former Disney star. Regrettably, her screen appearances have been sparse over the last few years – with a gap of seven years between her last two film roles, each being brief appearances that might be easily overlooked.
Let’s examine the evolution of Miley Cyrus’ journey in acting, focusing on its clash with her rising music career, reasons for the temporary halt, and her future aspirations in this field.
Acting was Miley Cyrus’s dream way before singing
Despite the fact that singing helped Miley Cyrus break free from Disney Channel fame, she hadn’t initially planned on becoming a pop star. Growing up, she was immersed in country music: Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, had his Billboard hit “Achy Breaky Heart” released the same year as her birth, and Dolly Parton served as her godmother. In fact, Miley’s original name, Destiny, was chosen by her parents with the hope that it would predict her future success in showbiz.
At a young age, I, much like you might say, embarked on an unconventional journey for myself after witnessing a 2001 performance of “Mamma Mia!” in Toronto alongside my father. As the curtain rose, I felt an electric surge, realizing that acting was my destiny. Midway through act one, with tears in my eyes and excitement coursing through my veins, I whispered to my dad, “This is what I want to do, daddy… I want to be an actress.” It wasn’t until several years later that I would land the role that catapulted me into stardom.
As a devoted fan, I’d like to share a captivating tale about Miley Cyrus. During her Toronto residency, coinciding with Billy Ray’s stint on “Doc,” she immersed herself in theater and acting classes. Her unrelenting passion led her to secure an audition for a fresh Disney Channel series, “Hannah Montana.” Although she didn’t land the role initially, the producers recognized her unique charm and cast her in the legendary lead character, propelling her into stardom as we know it today.
Being a child actor was a blur for young Cyrus
In no time at all, it felt as if everyone around the globe recognized Miley Cyrus, largely due to “Hannah Montana.” This series became a massive success on Disney Channel, causing Cyrus to embark on tour as the character and the first season’s soundtrack to make it onto the Billboard 200. It’s understandable if it appeared that everything was too much for Cyrus during this period, given her later admissions.
2017 saw me reflecting on a significant turning point in my career, as discussed during an interview with Harper’s Bazaar. Looking back, I eventually came to terms with the fact that accepting this role would lead to moments of regret down the line, yet at the time, the whirlwind of events didn’t fully register. As I put it, “There are aspects of my childhood as an entertainer that I struggle to recall because there was simply too much to process… It wasn’t until recently that I truly understood the extent of the pressure I faced and how it molded me.
Just as every enjoyable experience must come to an end eventually, the rollercoaster ride wouldn’t persist forever for Cyrus during her time on “Hannah Montana.” However, the subsequent years would bring a significant change in pace due to the intense pressure of fame she was experiencing.
She tried to pivot into more adult roles
Miley Cyrus had been envisioning her post-“Hannah Montana” career since then, and in 2009, during an interview with Cineplex, she revealed her desire to broaden her acting skills. She expressed interest in taking on independent films with a darker tone, stating, “I’d be thrilled to star in such a project… Perhaps even an action flick. That’s not my usual cup of tea, as I seldom watch action movies, but the idea intrigues me because it seems like a tough challenge.” She pointed to “Garden State” as the kind of film she aspired to create.
The opportunity finally came for Cyrus in the form of “The Last Song,” a 2010 drama based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Although the role was written with Cyrus in mind, Sparks had reservations about the actress’ ability to play a troubled girl reconnecting with her father and experiencing her first brush with love, but was quickly corrected after seeing Cyrus perform on set.
Despite initially taking on “The Last Song” as her first significant acting role, Miley Cyrus had ambitions for further acting projects, even while working on her third album titled “Can’t Be Tamed.” Her growing disenchantment with the evolving music industry, contrasting to what she was accustomed to in Nashville, fueled her desire to concentrate on establishing a career as an actor.
Cyrus struggled with figuring out what she wanted to do
Miley Cyrus found herself navigating the challenge of existing in two distinct realms, a lesson she’d picked up from her Disney Channel persona. The conclusion of “Hannah Montana” presented her with a crossroads: one path led to a thriving music career as a pop star, while the other was a more serious acting journey. Balancing “The Last Song” filming, which took place during her Hannah Montana tour and Disney Channel series, seemed almost insurmountable for Cyrus.
Even though Cyrus aspired to be an actor, she wasn’t completely certain about her place within the entertainment industry. In a conversation with The Telegraph, she admitted, “I’m somewhat bipolar in my acting choices as I desire to dabble in various roles.” As a young teenager, she was resolute in her decision not to attend college. She believed that she had no need to complete her education at a young age and pointed to her grandmother as an example of someone who returned to university in her 60s.
In 2008, Time magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people, penned by Donny Osmond, straddled a balance between admiration for the young celebrity and apprehension about what her future might hold, noting that the iconic child star would eventually mature, regardless of her fans’ preferences.
Public controversies affected her getting movie roles
2010s began with Miley Cyrus facing significant public debate. Her daring Vanity Fair photoshoot sparked disapproval from her fans’ parents, but Cyrus dismissed accusations that she was maturing too quickly. However, her questionable actions eventually led to a wave of media fury when a video emerged showing her using a bong.
In simpler terms, Cyrus admitted regret over damaging her public persona due to drug use, acknowledging that as a role model, it was a poor choice given her fans and personal values. However, she maintained a playful attitude towards her scandals, even joking about them during her first “Saturday Night Live” monologue with a fake apology.
Not everyone in the entertainment industry was accepting of Cyrus’ adult behavior. The actor was slated to have a voice role in “Hotel Translyvania” before she was fired for posing with an obscene birthday cake, and was replaced by fellow Disney star Selena Gomez. Fortunately, she wouldn’t have to worry for too long about maintaining a good relationship with Hollywood, given how her music career was about to reach new heights.
As her music career blew up, Cyrus lost interest in acting
2013 proved to be an extraordinarily impactful year for Miley Cyrus as her music career skyrocketed from being merely successful to becoming omnipresent. The song “We Can’t Stop” matched the chart success of “Party in the U.S.A.”, but this achievement was soon surpassed with the release of the No. 1 single, “Wrecking Ball.” This musical triumph was mirrored by the album “Bangerz,” which also reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and Cyrus was honored as Artist of the Year by MTV.
Despite this, debates persisted around Cyrus. Her unexpected performance with Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV VMAs left many ex-Disney Channel admirers in disbelief, prompting criticism, outrage, and even praise. Though music icons like Dolly Parton endorsed Cyrus, others, such as Sinead O’Connor, openly expressed their dissatisfaction with her perceived objectification.
Essentially, Miley Cyrus, who was previously known for her character Hannah Montana, grew up significantly. As she faced various public controversies, she also became vocal about important issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and racial discrimination. Regrettably, acting took a back seat for her, with Cyrus admitting to Vogue Germany (via Metro) that “I’m not particularly passionate about acting because I don’t enjoy pretending to be someone I’m not… I prefer to express my genuine self as the authentic Miley Cyrus.
Filmmakers like James Gunn still sought her for roles
While Miley Cyrus was becoming synonymous with public controversy, not everybody in Hollywood would turn their backs on her. She still made rare cameos in both film and TV, including “The Night Before” and “Two and a Half Men,” but hadn’t taken on a major film role since 2012, when she starred in the rom-com “LOL” and the crime comedy “So Undercover.”
In a rare move after some strained years, James Gunn invited Miley Cyrus for a brief appearance in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” appearing only in the post-credits scene without any formal credit recognition. Movie enthusiasts might have overlooked this cameo as the character portrayed by Cyrus was not easily recognizable – she played Mainframe, a robotic head devoid of a body within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Gunn shared with Buzzfeed News that Cyrus caught his attention as a guest judge on “The Voice,” leading him to express interest in casting her due to her being amusing, charming, and kind. He then contacted her, and she agreed. Working with her was enjoyable, he added. In 2013 and 2015, Cyrus hosted “Saturday Night Live” twice more, and in 2016, she made a return to television with the Amazon Prime miniseries “Crisis in Six Scenes,” written and directed by Woody Allen. The series also starred Elaine May and Rachel Brosnahan.
Her Black Mirror episode was a meta performance
From a dedicated fan here: After the explosive success of “Bangerz,” my adoration for Miley Cyrus’ music seemed to take a dip in the following years. Albums like “Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz” and “Younger Now,” despite maintaining commercial success, garnered less critical praise or even notice. However, in 2019, Miley returned to her roots by taking on a lead role in television once again. This time, the story was strikingly similar to her own heart-wrenching real-life experiences, making it far more raw and personal than “Hannah Montana” ever was.
In the fifth season of Netflix’s series “Black Mirror,” Miley Cyrus starred as pop singer Ashley O, whose career was at a crossroads as an AI version of herself was created in the form of an A.I. doll with a copy of her consciousness. The creators of “Black Mirror” weren’t initially expecting her to take on this role, but she not only agreed, she played a significant part in designing Ashley O’s appearance and even collaborated on writing the song “On a Roll.
Given the current discussions about AI and artists’ rights in entertainment, Miley Cyrus’s portrayal five years ago is particularly pertinent now. She explained to The Guardian that the role was important because it provided a realistic depiction of the music industry, revealing the excessive exploitation of artists and how money often overshadows creativity. Interestingly, Cyrus’s enthusiasm for this episode suggests that her perspective on the industry has remained largely unchanged since she initially pursued acting as a means to express her discontent with the industry’s capitalistic nature.
2023 was a big year for Cyrus as a musician
Contrary to expectations raised by “Black Mirror,” Miley Cyrus found less acting work ahead, instead focusing more on her music career. Her album “Plastic Hearts” released in 2020 was perceived as a musical comeback, blending ’80s-inspired rock and New Wave tunes into her style. With the easing of pandemic restrictions, Cyrus performed this new music at events like Lollapalooza, and even hosted “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” on NBC, which aired in both 2021 and 2022.
2023 saw the release of a game-changer for me as a fan – Cyrus’s single “Flowers,” which not only dominated the Billboard Hot 100 by debuting at No. 1, but held that position for an impressive eight weeks. The accompanying album, “Endless Summer Vacation,” was hailed as the pinnacle of her career, with Variety describing it as a “subtly innovative pop record that boasts subtle stylistic shifts without drawing attention to itself too aggressively.
2024 saw Miley Cyrus triumphing with two Grammy Awards for her hit song “Flowers,” earning best pop solo performance and the prestigious record of the year. This victory reflected Miley’s renewed stage presence, as her performance at the ceremony was both a jubilant celebration and an unforgettable showstopper, demonstrating her growing confidence as a performer.
Miley’s return to film was a cameo in 2024’s Drive-Away Dolls
In an already momentous year for Miley Cyrus, she made her first theatrical screen appearance since “The Night Before” in 2015 – this time in another cameo role, but it was in one of the most acclaimed comedies of 2024 titled “Drive-Away Dolls.” Directed by Ethan Coen and co-written with his wife Tricia Cooke, the film follows the story of two best friends, portrayed by Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, who are lesbian. Their road trip takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a significant political conspiracy involving customized sex toys.
In the movie, Cyrus appears in various brief scenes as the enigmatic hippie character named Tiffany Plastercaster, who is loosely modeled on the real-life figure Cynthia Plaster Caster. Similar to Cyrus’s character, she became well-known for creating plaster molds of famous men’s genitalia in real life. In the film, Tiffany creates a highly valued plaster cast of a U.S. senator’s private parts, portrayed by Matt Damon.
As stated by Coen, prior to joining the film, Cyrus was well-versed in the historical context of her character. In an interview with The Wrap, she expressed her interest in both the retro hippie aspect and the unusual craft of phallus molding. Additionally, Cooke mentioned that Cyrus is open to taking on any challenge, willing to perform whatever tasks are asked of her. They planned a low-angle shot that moved towards her, and when they requested to film in a lower position, she responded with a casual “I’ve done far worse.
She wants to return to acting, but with one big stipulation
For some time now, there’s been a lot of speculation regarding Miley Cyrus potentially returning to acting, especially considering her impressive musical accomplishments. She’s earned Grammys, set a Billboard record, and just recently collaborated with Beyonce on the “Cowboy Carter” album. However, it seems that she might have one concern about taking up an acting role again at this stage in her career.
As a die-hard fan, I must admit that if given the opportunity, I too would yearn to step back onto the acting stage. However, it’s not an easy decision as my public persona has grown so large that it casts a long shadow. The character I play would need to be truly exceptional for audiences to see beyond me and embrace a new role. It might require a character that mirrors aspects of myself or one with a personality so captivating, it could overpower mine.
Despite Cyrus’ reservations about returning to acting, there’s been no shortage of speculation. Fans have been eager for a “Hannah Montana” comeback since the character was last seen in 2011, and even Cyrus herself has expressed interest. We’ll see if Cyrus will put on the blonde wig once more in the future.
Miley paid tribute to Hannah Montana at D23
Miley Cyrus may not be certain about her acting future, but she has already accomplished so much in her career that it seems less essential now. This was made clear this year when Cyrus received the title of Disney Legend at D23, an event held every two years by the company. The Disney Legend award is given to significant figures in Disney’s past and present who have contributed to its legacy, with other recipients for 2024 including Harrison Ford, John Williams, and Angela Bassett.
Despite previously admitting that starring in “Hannah Montana” caused her identity struggles, Miley Cyrus has grown more understanding of her past in recent times. In a conversation with Rolling Stone, she said, “I’ve been critical of myself for almost everything I did in the past. During ‘Dead Petz’, I criticized ‘Bangerz’. During ‘Bangerz’, I criticized ‘Hannah Montana’. It seems like as I grow, I become ashamed of who I was before. I believe that maturity comes when you can accept who you were previously.
Cyrus’s Disney Legends speech was, similarly, an appreciation for where she’s been rather than a condemnation in light of where she’s going. “Because in reality, I was a little girl in a blonde wig at the mall with a big dream. But in my heart, I was Hannah Montana. And I was so proud to be her,” she said, fighting back tears. “I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana. Because she made Miley in so many ways.”
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2024-09-28 19:31