Miley Cyrus grew up on Disney Channel with her hit show, Hannah Montana. Like many childhood stars before her, she is not shy of controversy and scandal. However, unlike these childhood celebrities, Cyrus strategically dresses herself to match the current image of her career. With a team behind the hair, clothes, and makeup, Cyrus can become highly recognizable in her image as a strategy to sell her albums.

The Start of a Teen Icon

Disney producers struggled to find an actress to cast as Hannah Montana until they met Cyrus. She had the full package; she could sing, dance, and act. From its first airing in 2005 to its last episode in January 2011, Hannah Montana was the most popular show on Disney Channel with merchandise and world tours. 

Cyrus influenced many aspects of her character such as her southern roots, her father cast as her on-screen dad, and the use of her name as the character. In reality, these aspects blurred the lines between Hannah Montana as a fictional character and Miley Cyrus as a completely different person. Cyrus’ style during her time with Hannah Montana closely reflected the style of her character. She often opted for sparkly tops with jeans or flowy dresses with no sense of real style direction.

Breaking from Disney’s Chains

In 2010, Cyrus released her single, “Can’t Be Tamed”. Cyrus was distinguishing herself from the character she played for over five years. Cyrus traded in the sequin tops for studs and skull graphics to give a more grunge aesthetic. 

Her new single was symbolic of her leaving the reign of Disney’s controls and neon costumes. Cyrus chose more black clothes and form-fitting crop tops. The switch in appearances was her way of proving she is no longer the Disney child star, but a fully grown woman with the freedom to choose for herself. Joan Jett, singer and punk rock guitarist, and Taylor Monsen, singer, and actress, became a major style influence for Miley Cyrus during her “Can’t Be Tamed Era” with notes of leather and corset tops to create a sexy and edgy motif. 

Bangerz Era

2013 marked the year of Cyrus’ new album, Bangerz. Instead of the punk-rock goddess Miley was portraying before, she switched to more influences from hip-hop to sell her most recent album. Cyrus is well-familiar with criticism of her being “too sexual”, however, criticism for her Bangerz album included the appropriation of Black culture in order to sell her music and current look. In the “We Can’t Stop” music video, Cyrus is seen putting in gold grills, a dental accessory popularized by Black rappers in the 1980s. Since the premiere of her music video, other white celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Madonna have been seen appropriating the accessory as a form of entertainment trend. While performing, Cyrus wore skin-tight, sequin bodysuits often referencing drug use. 

Southern Roots

Flash forward to 2017, Cyrus releases her newest album, “Younger Now”. The album highlights her southern roots with songs like “Rainbowland” and “Week Without You”. Cyrus was separating herself from her controversial image during her Can’t Be Tamed and Bangerz era. Music videos featured her in white linen to give a wholesome look in a field of yellow flowers. Cyrus was distancing herself from the Black culture she had profited off of before to give herself a better reputation. Her style transformed from skin-tight clothes to neutral colors and long ruffled dresses.

Miley Cyrus may not be your favorite artist, but she has successfully made her image distinguishable by the current album she is working on. If you see a picture of Miley in a blonde pixie cut and wearing drug references, that is her Bangerz era. If she is paparazzied wearing more neutral colors and natural makeup, she was working on her “Younger Now” album. Cyrus can market her image whether it’s by separating herself from a character or a way to get a wholesome reputation through her fashion sense.