It’s no secret that Miley Cyrus dominated the pop music charts all throughout the past year, and many fans on social media attribute this success to her commitment to being authentic. The Grammy winner’s confessional lyrics and clear vocal talents have resulted in several hit songs from the early 2010s to present day.
In her latest single, “Used To Be Young,” Cyrus, 31, reflects on how she has evolved and grown personally and professionally over the years. A notable example of this is when Cyrus revealed that she stopped using drugs after feeling embarrassed by past appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
As seen in a resurfaced clip of the “Flowers” hitmaker on the show in 2017, she told host Jimmy Fallon, 49, that she stopped smoking weed so that she could be taken seriously as an artist and promote her record at the time (Younger Now) with a more professional image.
Miley Cyrus Tells Jimmy Fallon That She Stopped Smoking Weed After Seeing Clips Of Herself On His Show
In the video, the Last Song alum opened up to the comedian about finding older clips of herself “high” and dressed like a bunny rabbit on his show. After finding these, Cyrus said she decided to “stop smoking weed” as she wanted to be “clear” and “sound smart” when telling him and the world about her hard work and album.
“You know what, I, I was just saying that you, without knowing it, were kind of a reason for this,” she said to Fallon about her quitting smoking. “I’ve always been very stoned on your shows, I don’t know if you know this. It’s weird to be here. Remember the last time, I was here, I was dressed like a bunny rabbit and then a cat? There’s a reason for that. I was high.”
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Cyrus went on: “I want to be really clear because I’m actually the most passionate about what I’m doing with this record. I loved making this record so, so much. This record for me at this moment is the most important album I’ve ever made. I wanted to make sure I was super clear when I’m talking.”
During a 2020 interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music, Cyrus admitted to consuming alcohol despite being asked about her sobriety. Fans quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to applaud her relatable and honest approach.
“I like a lot of people, being completely honest, during the pandemic fell off… and I would never sit here and go, ‘I’ve been f—g sober,'” she said. Cyrus added: “I realize that I’m now back on sobriety, two weeks sober, and I feel like I’ve really accepted that time and one of the things I’ve used is: ‘Don’t get furious, get curious’. So don’t be mad at yourself, but ask yourself, ‘What happened?'”
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Back in August 2023, Cyrus went viral after sharing her music video for her ballad, “Used to Be Young.” It showcases an emotive performance as she sings about her personal struggles with the intense scrutiny of the media throughout her career. The fourth track off her latest album, Endless Summer Vacation, focuses on her evolution from a teenage star on Disney Channel to an adult pop artist.
The song’s lyrics contain poignant references to her controversial transition and 2013 Bangerz era. In 2011, after departing from her iconic role in Hannah Montana, Cyrus garnered criticism for her provocative image and music that contained explicit content. This notoriety led to her being labeled a partier and wild girl.
In the visual for the song, Cyrus is seen singing directly to the camera, with tears streaming down her face, as she delivers emotionally raw lyrics. This vulnerability has resonated with her fans, who then took to social media to express their thoughts. Some believed that people were “too harsh” when criticizing Cyrus at such a young age, as one tweeted, and others said that the “world owes her an apology,” as another devotee wrote on Instagram.
The song starts off melancholic in both its instrumentals and lyrics, but towards the end, Cyrus reflects on this time in her life with fondness and optimism. The authenticity and sincerity in both the song and its visual, fans believe, demonstrate Cyrus’ ability to overcome challenges and develop as an artist.
