Podcast Summary: "Miley Cyrus Told Us to Ask Her Anything"
The Interview by The New York Times features an in-depth conversation with pop icon Miley Cyrus, hosted by Lulu Garcia-Navarro. Released on May 31, 2025, this episode delves into Miley's multifaceted career, personal growth, family dynamics, and her latest creative endeavors. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and notable moments from the episode.
1. Introduction to Miley Cyrus's Journey
The episode begins with Lulu Garcia-Navarro introducing Miley Cyrus, highlighting her evolution from Disney's Hannah Montana to a Grammy-winning artist. Miley's recent projects, including her ninth album "Something Beautiful," are introduced as significant milestones in her career.
Notable Quote:
"Miley Cyrus has spent almost her entire life in the limelight... She just released her ninth album, Something Beautiful."
[00:29] Lulu Garcia Navarro
2. Experiences at the Met Gala
Miley shares her experience attending the Met Gala, expressing feelings of being a "misfit" at the event. She discusses the challenges of navigating high-profile events without the support of a stylist, reflecting on her adaptability and comfort in unique situations.
Notable Quote:
"I was kind of the misfit, which I'm always okay with. I'm used to that."
[03:04] Miley Cyrus
3. Personal Growth and Emotional Safety
The conversation shifts to Miley's personal development, particularly her journey through trauma therapy. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for herself, leading to greater clarity and honesty in her life.
Notable Quote:
"I've got a pretty good compass of like where I feel at home now. And so just being able to sit in a space where you feel really safe always, you get more clarity and more honesty."
[04:29] Miley Cyrus
4. Reflections on Recognition and Achievements
Miley discusses the significance of winning her first Grammy for "Flowers," highlighting the emotional impact of being formally recognized for her work. She reflects on the challenges of breaking away from her Disney persona to be acknowledged as a legitimate artist.
Notable Quote:
"I never admitted to myself how much it hurt me to not always be recognized for my work... when I finally did get recognized again, it was just like an extra layer of that bandage over something that I didn't even know really hurt me."
[08:06] Miley Cyrus
5. Exploring "Something Beautiful"
Delving into her latest album, Miley explains her intention to redefine the concept of beauty. She shares personal anecdotes, including the emotional significance of her mother's adoption and the loss of her grandmother, which inspired the album's themes.
Notable Quote:
"I wanted to reclaim and reimagine the word beautiful and what it means to me. Some of the most beautiful moments in my life... birth is beautiful. I think death is beautiful."
[12:55] Miley Cyrus
6. Embracing Rage and Emotional Expression
Miley opens up about the role of anger and rage in her emotional well-being. She advocates for acknowledging and utilizing these emotions constructively, drawing parallels between her experiences and those of other women dealing with suppression.
Notable Quote:
"Rage and anger is something that we should let ourselves feel. But it's just, you know, keep it to yourself, you know, Use it."
[14:27] Miley Cyrus
7. The Impact of Therapy and EMDR
A significant portion of the interview focuses on Miley's experience with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. She describes transformative sessions that helped her overcome stage fright and address deep-seated trauma related to her mother's adoption.
Notable Quote:
"I saw myself in the womb of my biological grandmother... And I've never had stage fright again, ever."
[43:58] Miley Cyrus
8. Family Dynamics and Public Scrutiny
Miley candidly discusses the complexities of her family relationships under the public eye. She touches upon her father's relationships, her mother's remarriage, and the challenges of maintaining personal connections amidst fame.
Notable Quote:
"I try to just be more compassionate to my parents. Cause I hate that for them... it's worth it."
[38:06] Miley Cyrus
9. Sobriety and Personal Health
Addressing her sobriety journey, Miley explains how it has positively impacted her vocal health and overall well-being. She reflects on her family's varied experiences with sobriety and the importance of support systems in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Notable Quote:
"We don't avoid it, but it's just not, you know, not really something. That's our table talk."
[51:48] Miley Cyrus
10. Future Directions and Mainstream Success
Concluding the conversation, Miley shares her thoughts on mainstream success and her plans for the future. She expresses a desire to reduce the pressure associated with fame and hints at a personal rebirth in her upcoming projects.
Notable Quote:
"This album, it's not... I'm taking a big bet on this one... next year for me is going to be kind of this, like rebirth of how I, you know, how I do things and how I look at my career."
[53:47] Miley Cyrus
Conclusion
The interview offers a comprehensive look into Miley Cyrus's life beyond the stage. From her artistic endeavors and emotional resilience to her reflections on family and sobriety, Miley presents herself as a multifaceted individual striving for authenticity and personal growth.
Notable Additional Quotes:
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"It's animalistic. It's like, you know, everything will change the moment that anyone or any animal is unsafe."
[05:49] Miley Cyrus -
"Diva does not mean difficult for no reason."
[33:28] Miley Cyrus -
"My grandma... she just is so happy and has so much joy."
[35:48] Miley Cyrus -
"I have a hard time pinning myself down, too."
[12:55] Miley Cyrus
This episode of The Interview provides listeners with an intimate portrayal of Miley Cyrus's continuous evolution as an artist and individual. Her openness about personal struggles, therapeutic journeys, and professional milestones offers valuable insights into the complexity of maintaining authenticity in the spotlight.