It’s been nearly eight years since Hannah Montana aired its final episode, but for Miley Cyrus, the experience of being one of the most iconic Disney Channel stars of all time continues to shape how she sees herself—and how she moves forward as an artist.
In a candid and introspective new interview with Elle for their August cover story, the singer, actress, and cultural icon reflected on the exact moment she knew it was time to leave the Hannah Montana persona behind. And it wasn’t about ratings or contracts—it was about personal growth.
“The Minute I Had Sex, I Knew I Couldn't Be Hannah Montana Anymore”
Speaking to Elle, Miley recalled that turning point vividly. “The minute I had sex, I was kind of like, ‘I can’t put the f*cking wig on again,’” she said, referring to the blonde wig that transformed her into the beloved fictional teen pop star, Hannah Montana. “It felt ridiculous. I had grown up.”
She explained that, at 18, the duality of her real self and her Disney persona began to feel increasingly surreal and uncomfortable. “It just felt like...I was grown up. It felt weird.”
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Though Cyrus has often spoken out about the impact Hannah Montana had on her life and identity, her reflections in this interview underline just how challenging it was to transition from child star to adult artist.
Being Seen as a “Disney Mascot” — Not a Person
Cyrus expressed the internal conflict she felt during and after her time on the Disney Channel. “People viewed me as a Disney mascot rather than a person,” she said. For many years, her public image was so tightly bound to Hannah Montana that she struggled to establish her own identity outside of it.
Still, she carries a deep sense of pride in what she accomplished as a teenager on the show. “It’s pretty cool when you hear Cardi B was listening to Hannah Montana when she was in high school,” she said. “That sh*t makes me happy.”
Trying On Identities: Miley Cyrus and the Search for Self
Despite now being widely respected for her music and fearless performances, Cyrus admits that she’s still figuring out who she truly is—both as a person and a performer. “I guess that’s what I’m still doing—trying on identities and seeing what fits,” she said. “The fires forced me out of my comfort zone, to find a new place to call home, to say, ‘Listen, I have collected all this sh*t, all these years, but that doesn’t make me who I am.’”
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This metaphor extends beyond the literal loss of her home in the California wildfires—it's about shedding the material and psychological baggage that came with early fame.
A Life in the Spotlight: From Disney Darling to Complex Pop Icon
Miley has spoken before about the emotional and psychological challenges of growing up in the public eye. In a previous interview with CBS This Morning, she discussed how difficult it was to balance her real life with the fictional character she portrayed.
“I think it got harder when I started touring as both—I toured as Hannah Montana and as myself,” she explained. “That’s probably what’s a little bit wrong with me now! I mark that up to doing some extreme damage in my psyche as an adult person.”
But even with the struggles, Miley doesn’t harbor regret for her early career. “I liked being in the Disney universe because I didn’t know anything else. I knew I was getting to live what I wanted to do,” she said.
Evolving Through Eras: From Hannah to “Wrecking Ball” and Beyond
Since officially stepping away from her Disney roots, Cyrus has embarked on a fearless and often controversial artistic journey. From her boundary-pushing Bangerz era to her acclaimed rock-influenced albums like Plastic Hearts, Miley has continued to reinvent herself with every project—proving that she’s much more than just a former child star.
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Her role in Black Mirror, her stripped-down backyard sessions during the pandemic, and her unwavering support of the LGBTQ+ community all speak to an artist who is constantly evolving—and unafraid to embrace complexity.
Respect Earned on Her Own Terms
As she’s built her career post-Hannah Montana, Miley believes she has finally earned respect in the music industry—on her own terms. But that doesn’t mean the journey has been easy, or that it’s over. She’s still exploring who she is behind the fame, the wigs, and the headlines.
Cyrus’ openness about her past continues to resonate with fans who grew up alongside her. And for many who once knew her only as Hannah Montana, it’s a powerful reminder that even pop icons are human—figuring it out one day at a time.
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