As the hype for Miley Cyrus’ Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special spreads like wildfire across the internet, it’s got the world looking back to the earliest days of Miley’s career – before the “Flowers” phenomenon, before the “Wrecking Ball” controversy, before the Tennessee-born singer became a true household name.
We’ve unearthed a clip that puts Miley’s early career in the spotlight – a 2009 live performance of her breakthrough single, “The Climb,” taken from the soundtrack to the MTV Movie Award-winning “Hannah Montana: The Movie.” And you won’t believe what this throwback has in store.
Music Man readers can watch sixteen-year-old Miley steal the show in the viral performance above. This flashback set has already stunned more than 5.5 million viewers to date!
Since becoming a mainstream music legend, Miley’s voice has become recognizable to all – pop tones melted with country quirks which make her easily stand out from her fellow chart toppers. Even back in 2009, Miley served nothing but pure authenticity as she performed her ballad, her live set harboring every trait which would soon catapult her to the heights of pop goddessry.
But hidden beneath her flawless vocals and mesmerizing stage presence are subtle hints of nerves. While unleashing her boldest vocal tones, Miley stays still in the spotlight, hardly stepping into the magnetic stage personality that will shock the world in years to come. Her one-of-a-kind tones make her seem destined for great things, yet she seems like she’s holding back.
Miley’s voice and demeanor have clearly blossomed in confidence over time, and as this performance gives fans a vivid glimpse into Miley’s breakthrough era, it’s impossible to ignore her evolution from powerhouse Disney star into a global superstar.
One top commenter even wrote beneath this viral YouTube clip, “She should have never left the girl next door image and jumped into the sexually infused entertainment side. Oh, the choices we make!”
But fans were quick to take Miley’s side, replying, “If Miley hadn’t released the Bangerz album she would’ve never been able to transition to an adult pop singer, she needed that to break away from her Disney image and she succeeded.”
Even more controversy has been spurred in the comments, with countless fans picking up on her “nasal singing,” contrasted by fans spellbound by her inspirational lyrics, writing, “This song keeps me going.”