2006: 13-year-old Disney Channel star, $15,000 per episode.
2013: VMAs performance with Robin Thicke, foam finger, shocked the world.
2013: "Wrecking Ball" video, naked on wrecking ball.
2024: Grammy-winning artist, $160 million net worth, completely in control.
The journey: From wholesome Disney princess to pop culture provocateur—by design.
This is how Miley Cyrus executed the most deliberate transformation in pop history—from Hannah Montana to the woman who swung naked on a wrecking ball and won.
The Disney Beginning (1992-2011)
Born November 23, 1992
Full name: Destiny Hope Cyrus
Nickname: "Smiley" → "Miley"
Father: Billy Ray Cyrus ("Achy Breaky Heart")
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Childhood: Growing up on film sets
Early exposure: Music industry from birth
Hannah Montana Audition (2005)
Age: 12
Auditioned for: Lily (best friend role)
Disney's response: Too young for any role
Her persistence: Kept auditioning
Final decision: Created lead role for her
The show: Hannah Montana
Concept: Ordinary girl with secret pop star identity
March 24, 2006: Hannah Montana Premieres
Network: Disney Channel
Premise: Miley Stewart lives double life as Hannah Montana
Target audience: 6-14 year olds
Her salary: $15,000 per episode (Season 1)
Seasons: 4 (2006-2011)
Episodes: 98 total
Total earnings from show: ~$15 million
The Phenomenon
Ratings: Massive (peaked at 5.4 million viewers)
Merchandise: $1 billion in sales
Tours: Sold-out worldwide
Albums: Multi-platinum
The brand: Wholesome, family-friendly
Her image: Perfect Disney princess
Age during run: 13-18 years old
The Disney Money
Show salary: $15 million
Concert tours: $50+ million (2007-2011)
Merchandise cut: $20+ million
Album sales: $30+ million
Total Disney era: $100+ million earned
Status by 2011: Worth $150 million at age 18
The First Rebellion: Can't Be Tamed (2010)
The Video
Released: May 2010
Miley's age: 17
Content: Caged bird breaking free (literal metaphor)
Costume: Revealing feathers
Tone: Sexual
Parents' reaction: Concerned
Disney's reaction: Not happy
Public response: "What happened to Hannah Montana?"
The Album
Sales: Disappointing compared to Hannah Montana albums
Critics: Mixed
Her statement: "I'm growing up"
The problem: Too soon
Fans: Not ready
Timing: Still under Disney contract
The Transition Period (2011-2013)
Hannah Montana Ends (2011)
Final episode: January 16, 2011
Her age: 18
Freedom: No longer under Disney contract
Plan: Complete image transformation
The strategy: Calculated, deliberate
The Last Song & Liam Hemsworth (2010-2013)
Film: Nicholas Sparks romantic drama
Co-star: Liam Hemsworth
Relationship: Started during filming
Public image: Wholesome romance
Engagement: June 2012
The importance: Last "good girl" moment
LOL and So Undercover (2012)
Box office: Both flopped
Reviews: Terrible
Problem: Couldn't transition to serious actress
Her realization: Need to go nuclear
The plan: Complete transformation
The 2013 Explosion
August 25, 2013: VMAs Performance
Song: "We Can't Stop"
Co-performer: Robin Thicke ("Blurred Lines")
The performance:
- Twerking
- Foam finger
- Tongue constantly out
- Grinding on Robin Thicke
- Teddy bear dancers
Duration: 5 minutes
Impact: Changed pop culture forever
The Reaction
Twitter: Crashed
Parents: Horrified
Think pieces: Thousands
Memes: Instant
The tongue: Became her trademark
Cultural impact: Dominated conversation for weeks
MTV response: Most-watched VMA performance ever
Her goal: Achieved - everyone talking about her
"Wrecking Ball" (September 9, 2013)
Director: Terry Richardson
The video:
- Miley naked on actual wrecking ball
- Swinging
- Licking sledgehammer
- Crying
Views in 24 hours: 19.3 million (record)
Total views: 1+ billion
The song: #1 for 3 weeks
Certification: Diamond (10 million)
Grammy nomination: Yes
Her statement: "Art"
Bangerz Album (October 4, 2013)
Singles:
- "We Can't Stop" (#2)
- "Wrecking Ball" (#1)
- "Adore You"
Production: Mike Will Made-It, Pharrell
Sound: Hip-hop influenced pop
Sales: Platinum
Tour: Controversial, provocative
Age: 20-21
The transformation: Complete
The Aftermath (2014-2015)
The Backlash
Parents: Banned kids from listening
Former fans: Felt betrayed
Disney: Distanced themselves
Sinéad O'Connor: Open letter warning about exploitation
Her response: Didn't care
The Bangerz Tour (2014)
Costumes: Barely there
Props: Giant tongue slide, hot dog cannons
Content: Highly sexualized
Controversy: Every show
Revenue: $62 million
The statement: Unapologetic
The Liam Hemsworth Breakup (2013)
Engagement: Called off September 2013
Timing: Right before Bangerz release
Public perception: Wild Miley drove him away
Her freedom: Could be even more provocative
The split: Lasted until 2016
The Artistic Phase (2015-2017)
Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz (2015)
Release: Free on SoundCloud
Genre: Experimental psychedelic
Commercial: Failure
Critical: Mixed
Her purpose: Artistic expression, not commercial
Sales: Free = no sales
The experiment: Proved she could do what she wanted
The Happy Hippie Foundation (2014-present)
Mission: LGBTQ+ youth homelessness
Her advocacy: Genuine, committed
Fundraising: Millions
The contrast: Wild performer, serious activist
The Voice (2016-2017)
Role: Coach on The Voice
Seasons: 11, 13
Salary: $13 million per season
Image: Toned down, mentoring
The shift: More mature
The Comeback to Liam (2016-2018)
Reconciliation (2016)
Timing: After experimental phase
Public: More private
Image: Settled down
Engagement: Back on
Younger Now (2017)
Sound: Country-influenced pop
Tone: Mature, reflective
Singles: "Malibu" (about Liam)
Commercial: Moderate success
The message: "I've grown up"
The Wedding (December 23, 2018)
Location: Nashville home
Style: Small, intimate
Social media: Low-key announcement
Public reaction: Happy for her
The narrative: Wild child settled down
The Divorce (August 2019)
Duration: Less than 8 months married
Announcement: "Ever-evolving"
Reason: Never fully explained
Her rebound: Kaitlynn Carter (brief)
Then: Cody Simpson (brief)
Pattern: Doesn't stay tied down
The Mature Artist (2020-2024)
Plastic Hearts (2020)
Sound: Rock
Influences: Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks
Features: Billy Idol, Dua Lipa
Critical response: Best reviews of career
Commercial: Solid
The evolution: Serious artist
"Flowers" (January 2023)
Release: January 13, 2023
Lyrics: "I can buy myself flowers"
Subtext: About Liam Hemsworth
Chart: #1 for 10 weeks
Grammy: Record of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance (2024)
Certification: Diamond
Total streams: 3+ billion
The achievement: Biggest hit of career at age 30
Endless Summer Vacation (2023)
Release: March 10, 2023
Sound: Mature pop
Reception: Strong
Sales: Platinum
Age: 30
Status: Respected artist
The Grammy Wins (2024)
Awards: Record of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance
Her speech: Gracious, humble
The validation: Finally respected
Full circle: From Disney kid to Grammy winner
The Numbers
Disney era (2006-2011): $100 million
Transformation era (2013-2015): $50 million
Voice/comeback (2016-2019): $40 million
Mature artist (2020-2024): $30 million
Total career earnings: $220+ million
Current net worth: $160 million
Age: 31
What Made It Work
The Deliberate Strategy
Not accidental: Every move calculated
Goal: Break from Disney
Method: Nuclear transformation
Risk: Could have destroyed career
Result: Worked perfectly
The Authenticity
Wild phase: Real, not act
Advocacy: Genuine
Music: Actually good
Evolution: Natural
Current: Still herself
The Survival
Most child stars: Crash and burn
Miley: Thrived through transformation
The difference: Owned every phase
Never apologized: For any of it
Result: Respect
From $15K to Grammy Winner
2006: Disney kid, $15,000 per episode
2013: "Wrecking Ball," naked transformation
2019: Divorced, searching
2023: "Flowers," biggest hit ever
2024: Grammy winner
Time span: 18 years from child star to respected artist
The Lesson
Child star survival:
Accept you can't stay innocent
-
Transform on YOUR terms
-
Ignore the pearl-clutching
-
Make good music
-
Evolve naturally
= Respect + Grammy + $160 million
From Hannah Montana to Wrecking Ball.
From Disney princess to Grammy winner.
From $15,000 per episode to $160 million.
By refusing to stay in the box.
That's Miley Cyrus.
The most successful Disney transformation ever.
Because she did it her way.
