Miley Cyrus had a major 2013. Whether you were a fan of her music and/or antics or not, you have to admit that much. Opening up in a no-holds-barred interview with the New York Times this weekend, Cyrus looked back at not only her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards and allegations that she was racist or copying Black culture, but Joe Jonas, Ariana Grande and answering to entities like The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.
The VMAs, Racism and people, like Wendy Williams, saying she's appropriated Black culture:
"It’s actually really funny how many people could watch my performance, and they think it was, like, sexist and degrading to women, and somehow people found that it was racist, which I couldn’t even wrap my mind around. Because I’m like: “How do I win? If I have white dancers, then I’m racist. If I have black girl dancers, then I’m racist.” We know we’re not racist, and I know I’m not putting down women. People got a rise out of me saying that I was a feminist, but I am. I’m telling women be whoever you want to be."
"My grandma, who is alive, was living in a time where there was no way in hell that she would’ve ever thought there would’ve been a black president. I mean, never. And my grandma’s like, not even 80, so this is in a short period of time that things have changed so much. I really thought about it a lot when Nelson Mandela passed away, because I couldn’t even imagine living this life and seeing how much it’s changed. So, you know, I look forward to when I’m older, my kids being like, “What do you mean people ever even talked about what color your dancers were?”"
Jealousy, being put in a box and being forced to delete pictures:
"I was so jealous of what everyone else got to do, because I didn’t get to truly be myself yet. But now I realize how much they’re not being themselves either. You don’t have to be signed to Disney Channel to be put in a box, or to be rated PG. I’m with artists sometimes, and I’ll take a picture of them or whatever. They make me delete it."
"Yeah, it’s insane. I’ll get someone to, like, flash me, and they’ll be, like, “You have to delete it!” I had to do that when I was 14 or 15, but even then I didn’t care. Like, if someone was videoing me ripping a bong, I didn’t care, so it’s just funny to me. I’m like: “Dude, you’re 30. Like, why can’t someone see a picture of your [breasts]?”
Celebs, including Ariana Grande and Joe Jonas, and contracts:
"I don’t have a bunch of celeb friends, because I feel like some of them are a little scared of the association. This is terrible. I was backstage with [the rising pop star] Ariana Grande. I’m like, “Walk out with me right now and get this picture, and this will be the best thing that happens to you, because just you associating with me makes you a little less sweet… She’s trying. I see her wearing the shorter things. She comes in, and she goes, “This made me feel like you.” And I’m like, “That was like my sixth grade prom dress.” She’s, I think, still on Nickelodeon. She has people that she has to kind of respect. And answer to, exactly. Things came out that happened — like, you know, bong videos — when I was on Disney. But I never wanted to do that to Disney. When I was no longer employed by anyone, that’s when I was like, “O.K., I’m going to do my own thing.” But I waited until I felt like I had respectfully finished out what I was supposed to do, you know?"
"(Joe Jonas) If you want to smoke weed, you’re going to smoke weed. There’s nothing that two little girls are going to get you to do that you don’t want to do. I thought maybe he was saying that like it was going to make him look badass…. We were so young that it’s actually like, “How did you get peer pressured by me?”
For Miley's full interview visit the NY Times.
Are you curious to hear what Miley Cyrus has to say about racism in the music industry?
In a recent interview, the pop star opened up about her experiences and observations of the issue. Cyrus revealed that she has witnessed firsthand how people of color are often overlooked or undervalued in the industry, and that it’s time for a change. She also emphasized the importance of using her platform to raise awareness and advocate for equality.
But that’s not all Cyrus talked about in this interview. She also shared insights into her relationships with other pop stars such as Ariana Grande and Jonas Brothers, as well as her experience ‘answering to’ Disney during her early days on Hannah Montana.
With candid honesty and refreshing self-awareness, Cyrus offers fans a glimpse into both the challenges and triumphs of navigating fame in today’s music industry.
Racism in the Music Industry
It’s sad that racism still exists in the music industry, even today. Despite progress being made in other areas of society, it seems as though the music world is lagging behind.
Artists of color often face discrimination and marginalization, which can limit their career opportunities and prevent them from achieving the same level of success as their white counterparts.
Miley Cyrus recently spoke out about this issue, acknowledging that she herself has benefitted from her white privilege within the industry. She emphasized the importance of listening to and amplifying voices of color, rather than simply paying lip service to diversity and inclusion. It’s refreshing to see a white artist using their platform to call attention to these issues and work towards creating a more equitable music industry.
Of course, there are also many talented artists of color who have achieved great success despite facing racism and discrimination. Ariana Grande is one such artist who has broken down barriers and become a major force in pop music.
However, it’s important for us all to recognize that not everyone has had the same opportunities or experiences within the industry. By acknowledging these issues and working together towards change, we can create a more just and inclusive future for music.
Relationships with Other Pop Stars and Experience with Disney
From collaborating with fellow musicians to navigating the pressures of a massive corporation, Miley has had her fair share of experiences in the pop world. One aspect of her career that stands out is her relationships with other pop stars.
Miley has worked with Ariana Grande on their hit song ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ and she’s also toured with the Jonas Brothers. In interviews, Miley has spoken highly of both artists and their talents.
However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Miley in terms of her relationships with other pop stars. In particular, there were reports of tension between Miley and Selena Gomez when they were both on Disney Channel shows. Additionally, some people have criticized Miley for distancing herself from her Hannah Montana persona after leaving Disney behind.
Despite these challenges, Miley continues to collaborate with other artists and evolve as a musician. Overall, it’s clear that Miley’s experience working within the confines of Disney has shaped her approach to collaborations and relationships within the music industry.
While there have been challenges along the way, she continues to grow as an artist and push boundaries in her work. As fans eagerly await new music from Miley, it’ll be exciting to see what collaborations she chooses next and how she continues to navigate this ever-changing industry.
Conclusion
So there you have it, you’ve heard Miley Cyrus’s thoughts on racism in the music industry, her relationships with other pop stars, and her experience with Disney.
It’s always interesting to hear from someone who’s grown up in the spotlight and is willing to share their experiences and opinions. Whether you agree with everything she said or not, it’s important to listen to different perspectives and continue having open conversations about these topics.
Who knows what insights we might gain from listening to those who’ve been directly impacted by these issues? Keep an open mind and keep learning.
