Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Miley Cyrus

“Hannah Montana” was the show that catapulted her to fame. But though years have passed and much has changed in her life since it ended, Miley Cyrus has never forgotten her roots. On the 15th anniversary of the series’ premiere in 2021, the star really got into character. She sent out bouquets of flowers with cute handwritten notes to a slew of her former co-stars, and it was one of the sweetest things we’ve ever seen. Corbin Bleu, Emily Osment, and Cody Linley were just some of the lucky recipients. Sometimes the simplest gestures mean the most, and this was proof of that.

Cyrus’ godmother is legendary country star Dolly Parton, so naturally the two go way back. Parton even appeared on “Hannah Montana”. And their performance of “Jolene” at her 2010 “Dollywood” show was truly magical. The chemistry between the duo was undeniable. Parton, of course, nailed her parts as always. But Cyrus really added a whole new layer to the song. She may have been young at the time, but her star quality was already shining bright. Not everyone can measure up to the legendary Miss Dolly, but her goddaughter more than held her own. It’s heartwarming stuff!

A queer icon, Cyrus has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. And this hour-long concert special, which she helmed, marked Pride Month in style. Among the many highlights were her knockout covers of iconic songs including “We Belong”, “True Colors”, and “Believe”, to name a few. It goes without saying, but her versions were jaw-droppingly great. And with an array of guests like Maren Morris, Little Big Town, and Mickey Guyton helping out, the show proved to be powerful, uplifting and unmissable. It was the best “Party in the USA” we could’ve asked for. We have no choice but to stan.

When “Hannah Montana” first came out, its premise and cast made it an instant hit. The show hinged on Miley Stewart’s double life as the titular popstar. Nobody other than her family knew that she had “The Best of Both Worlds,” because she just wanted to be a normal teen. So it was a huge deal when her best friend Lilly learned her secret. The scene was hilarious and emotional in equal measure. What’s more, Cyrus delivered her lines flawlessly, handling the high-stakes scene like a true pro. Not only was it a heartwarming moment between television besties, it also showed the world that Miley Cyrus was here to stay.

The earliest days of pandemic-related lockdown were pretty bleak for all of us. But Cyrus was determined to bring some light into our lives, and she more than succeeded with her “Bright Minded” series. The shows mixed entertaining and insightful chats with celebrities like Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez with meditation, breathing exercises, and other wellness-based activities. As you’d expect, Cyrus’ hosting was down to earth and just plain easy to love. Granted, almost everyone got in on the livestream game during quarantine. Still, her show was both entertaining and genuinely helpful, which isn’t something you see often.

A big part of what makes this star so amazing is the fact that she’s always been incredibly open and honest about her life. In 2020, she opened up about her sobriety journey and its accompanying struggles on more than one occasion. During an interview with Howard Stern, Cyrus explained that drinking impedes her ability to function at her peak. There’s no doubt that this wasn’t an easy subject to talk about so publicly, but that’s precisely why it was impactful. By being so vulnerable and shining light on a sometimes taboo subject, she made many others feel seen.

Cyrus’ “Edge of Midnight” mash-up with Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks proved she was a rocker through and through. But the “Wrecking Ball” singer really rose to the occasion when she covered “Heart of Glass” as part of her iHeartRadio Festival set in 2020. Her raspy sound was incredibly powerful, and her look was absolutely killer. This performance set the tone for her rockstar era, and led perfectly into her beloved “Plastic Hearts” album. The official video for Cyrus’ cover has millions of views on her YouTube channel, which goes to show just how cherished this rendition is. It’s nothing if not a testament to her wonderful growth as a performer.

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If you look through the “Malibu” singer’s discography, you’ll quickly realize that there’s no shortage of hits. But “The Climb,” which was featured in “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” stands out as one of her biggest and most enduring works. Uplifting and inspirational, it was more mature than anything she’d done up to that point. It was a real coming-of-age moment that proved the then-teen star was about to become a bonafide pop icon. The vocals are strong, the video is absolutely iconic, and the song remains a favorite among fans even all these years later.

If there’s one thing you can be sure of, it’s that Miley Cyrus will always speak her mind and stand up for what’s right. Her tweets calling out the media for their double standards was truly something to behold. She bravely compared the way men are praised for seeing lots of women to her experiences with dating - and we love her for it. Cyrus didn’t hold back, owning her right to do what she wants and explore. It was bold, unapologetic, and absolutely epic. She spoke nothing but the truth, and it was insanely inspiring.

This was a cultural moment that nobody will soon forget. If “The Climb” marked the beginning of Cyrus’ evolution, then “Wrecking Ball” was when we knew she had arrived. The maturity and raw vulnerability of the lyrics were like nothing we had ever heard from her before. And the video spoke for itself. The world was undoubtedly expecting the singer to come out with something edgy considering her image at the time. Yet few thought she’d give us a piece with the depth and longevity of “Wrecking Ball”. It confirmed what many already knew – that she’s a true artist – once and for all.