Miley Cyrus Reveals How She Overcame 2013 Fame That Nearly Destroyed Her Personal Life

Pop superstar Miley Cyrus recently opened up about the devastating personal toll her 2013 career transformation took on her family relationships and dating life during an appearance on the Wondery podcast “Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky.” The 32-year-old singer reflected on how her controversial “Bangerz” era, which included the infamous “Wrecking Ball” music video and provocative VMA performance, created unexpected challenges in her personal world, according to People.

The period marked a dramatic departure from her Disney Channel persona, featuring bold artistic choices that generated widespread media coverage and public conversation. However, behind the headlines, Cyrus experienced extreme isolation as her professional decisions began affecting her closest relationships.

“That was the time where I just got hit so hard and I was so embarrassed,” Cyrus shared during the podcast interview, as reported by People. The impact extended beyond her own feelings, affecting her five siblings who found themselves dealing with unwanted attention at school and in their daily lives.

Family Struggles and Sibling Support

The entertainer revealed that her siblings faced harassment and embarrassment because of their connection to her during this highly publicized period. Her brother and sister even considered avoiding school due to the uncomfortable situations they encountered from peers and others who associated them with Miley’s public image.

“There was even a time where my brother and sister didn’t want to go to school because of how humiliated they were to be related to me,” Cyrus admitted.

Despite the difficulties, her family maintained supportive dialogue during this challenging time. “I remember my brother at one point he was saying, ‘I don’t judge you, but you could understand how hard it is for me to go to school, and you be my sister,'” she recalled.

The singer acknowledged the irony of the situation and admitted that she had been a challenging sibling even before fame complicated their family dynamics.

Professional Choices, Personal Consequences

Cyrus said she lost important relationships during this time because her artistic choices clashed with what others expected from her. Her open sexuality and provocative performances made dating difficult, as potential partners had trouble accepting her public image.

“I lost everything during that time in my personal life because of the choices I was making professionally,” she explained to the podcast, according to People. “If I kept dressing or acting a certain way, my relationships fell apart.”

The singer explained that men she tried to date often felt uncomfortable with how openly sexual she was in public, wanting to keep that side of her private instead of sharing it with the world through her music and performances.

Her changing image also caused problems within her family, making even basic conversations feel awkward. She said she felt embarrassed when visiting her father and couldn’t look him in the eye because she knew how her public behavior might affect him.

Meanwhile, Cyrus has moved beyond her Disney restrictions, recently regaining permission to perform “Hannah Montana” songs after being inducted as a Disney Legend in August 2024, according to the New York Post.