Miley Cyrus Claims Public Image Harmed Her Siblings

Miley Cyrus says her controversial image shift in 2013 didn’t just shake pop culture, it also hurt the people closest to her.

“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 said during a recent appearance on Reclaimed with Monica Lewinsky. “I remember even my brother, at one point, he was saying, ‘I don’t judge you. But you can understand how hard it is for me to go to school and you be my sister.’”

Cyrus, now 31, has long since distanced herself from the wild-child persona she adopted in her early 20s. But during the interview, she opened up about the heavy personal cost of that chapter. Not just to her, but to her entire family.

‘Wrecking Ball’ Wrecks Cyrus

In 2013, the former Hannah Montana star famously shed her Disney image in dramatic fashion. She made global headlines after a provocative MTV Video Music Awards performance with Robin Thicke that featured twerking and a foam finger. Hours later, she dropped the “Wrecking Ball” music video, appearing nude on a swinging demolition ball.

The backlash was swift. And while the video helped propel her Bangerz album to the top of the charts, Cyrus said the fallout at home was painful.

“It was really hard for me in 2013,” she said. “I lost everything during that time in my personal life because of the choices I was making professionally.”

Relationships Fractured

Cyrus also reflected on how her sexualized image alienated romantic partners.

“No one wanted to date me,” she said. “I was sharing a part of myself that men wanted to be saved for them only. The fact that I would pose nude or dance in very little clothes made them feel like I was taking something away that was meant to be for them.”

Family gatherings became tense. Cyrus admitted it was difficult facing her father, country star Billy Ray Cyrus, and especially her grandmother, whom she called her best friend.

“Having that and going home and seeing my grandparents was just mortifying,” she said. “Or Thanksgiving with my uncle.”

New Chapter

Cyrus says she doesn’t regret the artistic risks she took, but acknowledges the pain it caused. Today, she appears focused on leaving the chaos behind and letting her music — and voice — speak louder than headlines.

“I was proud of the work,” she said. “But I know it hurt people I love.”