What’s more, Miley Cyrus just opened up about her past struggles with substance use and how they affected her art. She particularly meditated on this relationship during the creation of her 2015 record Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. In a candid discussion, she described drug use as a “super-important part” of her artistic process, revealing how it influenced her music and lifestyle during that time.
Following the release of Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz Cyrus’s relationship with drugs became more complex. That change played out over the next several years. She bought a huge amount of vintage clothing, including insane pieces like an original John Lennon T-shirt for $15,000. These purchases became the talk of the town, particularly when her accountant would start asking questions about these purchases.
“Every time she saw me, she’d be like, ‘Where’s that $15,000 original John Lennon T-shirt that you bought?’” – Miley Cyrus
Cyrus never got caught because she disguised her drug expenses as expenses for vintage clothing. She once confessed to purchasing 365 vintage dresses from one year! Later, she shared how she was able to provide a low-key answer when her accountant started asking questions.
“It’s like, ‘Oh, it’s upstairs. Would you like some?’ So I bought a lot of vintage clothes that year.” – Miley Cyrus
In an interview on the album’s release, the artist lamented the ways drug abuse hindered her ability to make songs. She challenged herself to write pop songs in a sober state of mind. Nonetheless, she thought some experiences and inspirations only visited her while she was high.
“I feel like the things that I was able to find — I can write songs as well [while sober], but I can’t find things like ‘Tangerine.’” – Miley Cyrus
Cyrus adopted a sober lifestyle, calling sobriety “my new faith” and “like my god.” She explained why she avoids typical recovery circles.
“That was a little dramatic, because someone used that as a quote, and I was like, ‘Okay, I wouldn’t say it’s my god. I’m not gonna go into — I don’t do meetings or anything.’” – Miley Cyrus
The pressure to maintain her reputation as a rebellious figure in pop culture has often conflicted with her desire for sobriety. An unnamed associate noted the expectations surrounding her image during the Bangerz era, emphasizing the challenge of being perceived as “cool” without substance use.
“It’s okay if you’re sober, but just don’t tell anybody, because the kids won’t think you’re cool anymore,” – unnamed associate
Cyrus hasn’t gone back into her shell—much like her Dead Petz era. She followed it up with the albums Bangerz in 2013, Younger Now in 2017 and an EP called She Is Coming in 2019. Now she’s set to release her truly phenomenal brand new album, Something Beautiful. It’s an incredible story to follow—most strikingly, she made her big return to the Grammy stage performing at the 2024 Grammys in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024.
