Miley Cyrus defiantly joked that if photographers yell at her, she’ll do the opposite

Miley Cyrus joked she’ll do the opposite if yelled at, keeping her glasses on for photographers at Critics Choice

Miley Cyrus had one of the most unforgettable red carpet moments at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards when she cheekily responded to directions from photographers with her trademark rebellious humour. As she posed for pictures on January 4, 2026 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, photographers asked her to remove her glasses so they could get clear shots, and Cyrus didn’t go quietly.

In clips shared online, Cyrus, 31, grinned before delivering a playful but pointed response: “If you yell at me, I’ll do the opposite of what people tell me.” With that, she leaned into her look and struck poses with her glasses firmly in place, clearly relishing the moment and the attention. Fans quickly labelled her reaction very Miley, equal parts charming, defiant, and delightfully unpredictable.

The comment came after red carpet photographers attempted to fine‑tune the visuals by requesting that Cyrus remove her tinted glasses so photographers could capture her eyes and expressions more clearly. Instead of complying, she leaned into the request by joking about her instincts to do the opposite when given orders, a line that had the crowd laughing and fellow attendees smiling in response. The moment was widely shared on social platforms within minutes, with many clips racking up tens of thousands of views.

Cyrus has long cultivated a public persona defined by spontaneity and a playful disregard for rigid rules, especially when it comes to photos, fashion, or press moments. Her candidness has made her a standout on red carpets for years, and this Critics Choice interaction only reinforced that reputation. Fans celebrated the moment as a classic Miley highlight, with many praising her for turning a simple photo request into a memorable, lighthearted moment.

Social commentary around the gag was swift. Thousands of users on X and Instagram reposted video clips of Cyrus’ response, with admirers calling it “iconic,” “hilarious,” and “peak red carpet energy.” Others said it was a refreshing moment of celebrity charm in an environment that often feels overly staged and serious. Many pointed out that Cyrus’ quick wit and refusal to simply follow directions without a little flair made her arrival a highlight of the night.