In a recent interview with British Vogue, Miley Cyrus expressed her feelings of “guilt and shame” over the controversial actions she took during her early 20s. After gaining fame as the lead in Disney’s Hannah Montana, the singer-songwriter attempted to alter her image at 20 by appearing nude in the Wrecking Ball music video and performing a provocative dance at the 2013 MTV Music Video Awards.
Reflecting on the backlash she received over that performance, she shared with British Vogue, “I was seeking attention for myself because I wanted to distance myself from the character I had played. Anyone at the age of 20 or 21 has more to prove. ‘I am not like my parents.’ ‘I am who I am.'”
Now 30 years old, Miley shared that she carried around feelings of “guilt and shame” for years due to the controversy and upset she caused. She also mentioned the harsh judgments she faced as a child from adults and how that affected her. “Now that I am an adult, I realize how harshly I was judged. I would never judge a child so harshly,” said the Flowers singer in her interview with Vogue.
Miley also talked about how she no longer seeks the world’s approval. “Do I want to live my life for anyone else’s pleasure or fulfillment other than my own?” the singer posed rhetorically. She ended the interview mysteriously by saying, “And, you know what…”
