Miley Cyrus compares herself to Beyoncé, reflects on career post-Hannah Montana

Miley Cyrus says she once felt like a “friend to the world,” unlike Beyoncé’s “queen” status, but that era has passed.

Miley Cyrus spoke candidly about her transformation from Disney icon to global pop star in a recent interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1.

Reflecting on her early fame as the face of Hannah Montana, Cyrus said her once-close bond with fans has fundamentally changed.

“There was something accessible because I was on TV and I was touring,” Cyrus said. “It was a different time in media, too.”

Comparing herself to Beyoncé, Cyrus explained the difference in how fans relate to them. “Beyoncé and I are very different. In her fandom, it's Queen Bey… she feels in this way of like a mother to the world.”

In contrast, Cyrus said, “I feel like I felt more like a friend to the world… because we grew up together.” That connection, rooted in childhood TV viewership and constant media presence, has faded over time.

Cyrus acknowledged that fans today may feel less access to her than during her Hannah Montana years. “That’s a change for my audience to feel that they don’t have this direct access… when you were little, I would talk you to sleep.”

The full interview is available on Apple Music.