Miley Cyrus, the iconic pop star, reveals a lesser-known side to her controversial 2008 Vanity Fair cover photo shoot, which sparked a lot of controversy at the time. The young artist was just 15 years old and best known as Disney Channel star Hannah Montana when she posed for the magazine wrapped in nothing but a blanket. Now, years later, Miley considers the choice “brilliant” and shares the backstory of that memorable photo shoot.
Behind the scenes of Miley Cyrus’ controversial 2008 Vanity Fair photoshoot
On an episode of her “Used to Be Young” TikTok series, Miley shares previously unseen details of this turning point in her career. She explains that the decision to pose in such a bold way was dictated by the desire to “distance” from her character “Hannah Montana” and experiment with a new image. Photographer Annie Leibovitz immortalized the artist, while Miley’s younger sister Noah sat on her lap and took pictures. Miley’s entire family was on set.
Miley also reveals a curious detail: in this photo shoot, she wore red lipstick for the first time. This choice, suggested by makeup artist Patty Dubroff, aimed to create a clear distinction between her image as a young Disney star and that of an emancipated young woman.
Although at the time Miley was initially shocked by the new image emerging from the photos, today she considers the choice to be “really brilliant.” This bold move helped define her creative identity and set her apart from the “Hannah Montana” figure in an unforgettable way.
The 2008 Vanity Fair photo shoot has remained in the collective memory as a watershed moment for Miley Cyrus. Bold choices and a willingness to defy convention have defined her artistic career and allowed her to emerge as an icon of music and entertainment.
Miley Cyrus today not only celebrates this moment of her creative growth, but also celebrates it as a milestone in her career. This behind-the-scenes report offers a unique insight into the mind of an artist who is not afraid to break the rules and embrace change.