Miley Cyrus, a pop icon, has captivated audiences for years with her bold transitions, including a controversial phase that many fans and critics referred to as her "crazy" phase. This period, characterized by drastic image changes, provocative performances, and outspoken behavior, left many wondering why she went through such a transformation. To truly understand this phase, it’s important to look deeper into her background, her evolution as an artist, and the context of her life at the time.
Miley Cyrus first gained fame as the wholesome, bubbly star of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana. The show, which began in 2006, portrayed her as a teenager leading a double life as both a normal schoolgirl and a famous pop star. As much as Hannah Montana was beloved, it boxed Miley into a squeaky-clean image that wasn’t reflective of her true personality. By the time she turned 18, Miley felt the need to distance herself from the Disney persona that millions of fans associated her with. This was a natural part of growing up, but for a public figure, it played out on a much larger stage.
In an interview with Billboard in 2017, Miley described this time as her way of asserting control over her own narrative. She wanted to prove that she was more than the character she portrayed on Hannah Montana and that she could take risks as an artist.
Miley’s shift toward a more provocative image became most evident during her Bangerz era (2013), which introduced a radically different version of the star. Songs like "Wrecking Ball" and performances like her infamous 2013 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) twerking incident shocked fans and critics alike.
However, this wasn’t merely an act of rebellion for rebellion’s sake. Miley was also experimenting artistically. During this period, she collaborated with some of the music industry's biggest producers and embraced a mix of pop, hip-hop, and EDM, a shift from her earlier country-pop roots. Many interpreted her bold moves as a way to create a stark contrast to her earlier years and establish herself as a legitimate adult artist.
Growing up in the spotlight undoubtedly added pressure. Miley's transition from a child star to an adult performer was met with intense media scrutiny. Every move she made, every performance, and every outfit choice was dissected and critiqued. She felt the weight of constantly living under a microscope, leading her to make increasingly daring choices as a way of rebelling against societal expectations.
In a 2020 interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Miley admitted that she felt like she was "playing a character" for years. The expectation to live up to her Disney image while also trying to figure out who she was as a young adult in a competitive industry took a toll. Her behavior during this time was partly a reaction to that pressure.
Miley’s so-called "crazy" phase wasn’t just about defying norms; it was also a period of self-discovery. As she experimented with different looks, genres, and personas, she was learning more about herself and what she stood for. The Bangerz era, while shocking, was a key stepping stone in her journey toward maturity. Miley has since spoken candidly about her growth and how that phase allowed her to reclaim her sense of self.
As she said in an interview with Harper's Bazaar, "I think people that break boundaries or are doing things that are different or challenging people’s ideas of what’s normal – those people are usually labeled as crazy."
Since then, Miley Cyrus has continued to evolve, both musically and personally. Her 2020 album Plastic Hearts reflects a more refined version of her rebellious spirit, with influences from rock and punk music. She’s also used her platform to advocate for causes close to her heart, such as LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.
Miley has admitted in recent interviews that while her past actions were often misinterpreted as "crazy," they were essential to her growth. As with many celebrities, her actions were magnified by the media, but ultimately, they were part of her process of finding out who she was outside of the spotlight.
Miley Cyrus’ "crazy" phase wasn’t just about shocking the world—it was a combination of rebellion, artistic experimentation, personal growth, and breaking free from societal expectations. As an artist, she has consistently defied labels and norms, pushing the boundaries of what is expected from someone with her background. Her journey serves as a reminder that public figures, like all individuals, go through periods of change, growth, and self-discovery, often amplified under the public gaze.
