Miley Cyrus reflects on early career backlash, says she may have been 'first person to be canceled'

Miley Cyrus discusses public criticism during her Bangerz era, transformation after Hannah Montana and backlash

Miley Cyrus is opening up about the intense public criticism she faced during her transition from child star to pop icon, reflecting on whether she was one of the earliest celebrities to experience being “canceled.”

In a preview clip from her upcoming CBS Sunday Morning interview with Tracy Smith, Cyrus looked back on the backlash that followed her post-Hannah Montana transformation in the early 2010s. When Smith mentioned that some parents had tried to cancel her during that time, Cyrus responded, “I was the first person to maybe ever be canceled, I guess.”

Cyrus, now 32, noted that she didn’t fully grasp the severity of the criticism at the time. “I didn’t know until I was older actually how brutal it really was,” she said. “It was very challenging for other people, but for me, it was a good time. It looked fun, and it was fun.”

 

 

 

 

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After rising to fame as the star of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2011, Cyrus stirred public controversy with provocative performances and a dramatic shift in her public image. This included her 2013 MTV Video Music Awards performance with Robin Thicke and the release of her album Bangerz, which featured hit singles “Wrecking Ball” and “We Can’t Stop.” The singer also made headlines for other moments, such as her performance at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards and a leaked video of her smoking from a bong in 2010.

Despite the backlash, Cyrus said she now has a different perspective. “I would never now, being where I am, ever look at someone in their 20s from the view of who I am now,” she explained. “But at the time, it was awesome.”

In a separate conversation with CR Fashion Book last month, Cyrus reflected on the demands of early fame, saying, “I made a decision at 11, and I’ve never stopped.” She added that while she still embraces fame today, she’s open to the idea of stepping away when it no longer aligns with her heart.

Cyrus recently added to her success with three Grammy Awards, including one for her hit single “Flowers” and another for her duet with Beyoncé.