When approached by a brown-haired news reporter in a smart grey suit, pedestrians on Hollywood Boulevard had no idea they were actually being approached by Miley Cyrus in disguise. This meant that, when she asked about their opinions on her, they had no hesitation in telling her exactly what they thought straight to her face. Some of the responses to her questions are sure to have Music Man readers in stitches, while others are bound to shock.
In 2015, the year the disguised street interviews took place, Miley was two years into her Bangerz era—a period of her career that sparked controversy. This came through in some of the interview responses, as one interviewee said they wouldn’t let their daughter act like her, while another went so far as to accuse her of not stopping the “fabric of America” from “falling apart.” One online viewer commented, “Awww, no, I felt bad for her,” as they watched her take the criticism on the chin.
I remember Miley’s controversial Bangerz era well myself, and it feels shocking to look back on how the singer was talked about during this time. While there have been many conversations on reclaiming female sexuality and rejecting respectability politics in the years since, it is shocking to realize how much misogyny Miley was subjected to at the time. Despite the fact that times have moved on in the last 10 years, some of the comments made by interviewees still feel far too familiar.
Despite facing the judgment of the public, Miley didn’t let that put her off sticking to her guns when she hosted the VMAs that weekend. Performing ‘Dooo it!’ from her 2015 album ‘Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz,’ Miley took to the stage in a bright pink leotard and created a performance alongside the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race that turned the VMAs into one big party. It’s clear that, no matter what, Miley was not going to allow herself to be shamed into giving up on what she wanted to do.
While Miley Cyrus has moved on from the eccentric outfits and performances of the mid-2010s, this is likely to be a time of her career that stands out in Music Man readers’ minds, thanks to its controversial impact. However, when it comes to Miley, it’s undeniable that she has had iconic eras throughout her career, from her beginnings in Hannah Montana to her recent viral cover of Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass.’ What’s clear from her disguised interviews to her openness to change is that Miley Cyrus is an artist who will forge her own path, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Miley Cyrus’s boldness in disguising herself and listening to public opinion firsthand shines a light on the scrutiny she faced in her Bangerz era. Her ability to handle criticism is commendable, and the interviews still prompt reflection on societal attitudes towards women in the limelight. To delve deeper into Miley’s journey and those transformative years, check out the insightful links below.