Miley Cyrus is often regarded as one of the most dynamic and polarizing figures in the music industry. With a career spanning over a decade, she has transitioned from a Disney Channel star to a pop icon, experimenting with multiple musical styles along the way. However, despite her commercial success and media presence, there is a strong argument against the notion that she is a certified powerhouse and a true artist. This article will critically examine Miley Cyrus’s career, musical evolution, industry influence, and artistic integrity to determine whether she truly deserves such a title.
One of the strongest criticisms against Miley Cyrus as a powerhouse artist is her lack of a consistent musical identity. Unlike artists such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, or Adele, who have maintained distinct artistic styles while evolving their sound, Cyrus has jumped between genres in a way that often seems driven by trends rather than genuine artistic exploration.
Hannah Montana Era: Miley gained fame as the lead of Disney's Hannah Montana, where she performed bubblegum pop tracks catered to young audiences.
Bangerz Era (2013): A drastic shift to hip-hop and trap influences, featuring collaborations with rappers like Future and Juicy J, led to criticism that she was exploiting Black culture for commercial success.
Younger Now Era (2017): A return to country-pop roots, seen by many as an attempt to rebrand after backlash from her previous era.
Plastic Hearts (2020): Another shift—this time into rock-inspired music, where she experimented with an edgier aesthetic.
Endless Summer Vacation (2023): A mix of indie-pop and dance, once again proving her inconsistent artistic vision.
This genre-hopping raises questions about her authenticity. While versatility is a positive trait, her musical changes often appear more like marketing strategies rather than artistic reinventions, making it difficult to consider her a true visionary in the industry.
While Miley Cyrus has demonstrated strong vocal abilities, she does not possess the powerhouse vocals that define artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, or even her own godmother, Dolly Parton. Many of her performances rely heavily on her raspy, gravelly tone, which can be polarizing. Additionally, her live performances have been inconsistent—some praised for their raw energy, while others criticized for excessive theatrics overshadowing the music itself.
Cyrus has also been involved in several controversial performances, such as the 2013 MTV VMAs twerking incident, which many saw as an attempt to create shock value rather than focus on vocal excellence or artistry. Such performances indicate a reliance on sensationalism rather than musical substance.
A true artist is often defined by their ability to craft meaningful and compelling songs. While Cyrus has co-written many of her tracks, she heavily relies on external songwriters and producers for her biggest hits. In contrast, songwriters like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Billie Eilish have built careers on their deeply personal and well-crafted lyrics.
For example:
"Wrecking Ball," one of her biggest songs, was written by other songwriters and not Cyrus herself.
Many of her recent songs rely on simplistic lyrics and repetitive hooks rather than deep storytelling.
Her lack of lyrical depth in comparison to true songwriting powerhouses weakens the argument that she is a groundbreaking artist in the industry.
Miley Cyrus’s career has been riddled with accusations of cultural appropriation, particularly during the Bangerz era when she adopted hip-hop aesthetics and slang but later distanced herself from the genre once the backlash ensued. True powerhouse artists influence the industry positively, whereas Cyrus has often been criticized for exploiting trends and then abandoning them when convenient.
Additionally, her public feuds and controversial statements—such as her criticism of hip-hop culture before later embracing it again—have raised questions about her sincerity as an artist.
While Miley Cyrus has undoubtedly had commercial success, sales numbers do not equate to being a certified powerhouse in the music industry. Her influence pales in comparison to legends like Madonna, Michael Jackson, or even contemporaries like Lady Gaga, who have redefined music and culture on a larger scale.
Artists like Beyoncé have used their platform to innovate the industry and push creative boundaries, whereas Cyrus has primarily generated headlines for personal antics rather than musical revolutions.
While Miley Cyrus is undeniably a major figure in the entertainment world, the argument that she is a certified powerhouse and a true artist is debatable. Her inconsistent musical identity, reliance on external songwriting, controversy-driven career, and lack of groundbreaking influence in the industry weaken her case. True industry powerhouses redefine music and culture through their artistry, innovation, and authenticity—qualities that Cyrus, despite her success, has not consistently demonstrated.
