Miley Cyrus is back with big news and even bigger reflections. The 31-year-old pop icon, who shot to stardom as a child and has since become a powerhouse artist, opened up to Harper’s Bazaar for their December/January 2025 issue. Miley didn’t hold back as she discussed her highly anticipated new album, her romance with Maxx Morando, and what it’s like to live in the public eye while embracing a more private life.
Miley has been candid about her experience as a child star and the unique challenges it brought. Reflecting on how it shaped her relationships and worldview, she said:
“Obviously, [being a child star] shaped me into a very different adult than some of my peers or my friends. It is just a really different childhood to have. For a while, I thought it got in the way of me connecting with people.”
Miley also opened up about her boyfriend, musician Maxx Morando, who has played a significant role in both her personal and professional life. Describing their dynamic, she revealed how Maxx helps bridge the generational gap between them.
“He looks at life really differently than I do. He grew up with a laptop. I had a desktop computer that I shared with my brothers and sisters.… Honestly, he’s raised our dog off Reddit. I’m like, Are you sure we’re supposed to be doing this? And he’s like, On Reddit it says blah, blah, blah.”
Their relationship, she says, is refreshingly uncomplicated.
“He’s very similar to me. We just don’t take life too seriously.”
The couple’s bond extends to their creative work as well, with Maxx contributing to Miley’s upcoming album.
“I worked with my dad forever. That’s how me and my ex-husband met each other. I’ve always worked with the people that I love. And Maxx just inspires me so much.”
Miley’s new album, Something Beautiful, is a concept project she describes as an attempt to bring healing through music.
“It’s a concept album that’s an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music,” Miley explained.
The visual aspects of the album are deeply intertwined with its sound.
“The visual component of this is driving the sound. It was important for me that every song has these healing sound properties. The songs, whether they’re about destruction or heartbreak or death, they’re presented in a way that is beautiful, because the nastiest times of our life do have a point of beauty. They are the shadow, they are the charcoal, they are the shading. You can’t have a painting without highlights and contrast.”
Through this project, Miley aims to connect with her listeners in a profound way.
“I would like to be a human psychedelic for people. I don’t want anyone trying to be like me or imitate me or even be inspired by me. I want to impact frequencies in your body that make you vibrate at a different level.”
Miley’s godmother, the legendary Dolly Parton, has always been a guiding light in her life. Miley touched on their discussions about her recent single, “Used to Be Young,” a deeply personal song that left her feeling vulnerable.
“I actually listened to that song yesterday, and I was asking myself, Did I really need to put this out? It was one of those things that maybe now that I’m a bit more private, I would’ve kept private, but I’m happy to have shared it. It just feels like a song that’s so personal that it’s hard for people to relate.”
Dolly, ever the humorist, had her own take on the song.
“[Dolly] goes, ‘I don’t know if I like that new “Used to Be Young” song because it’s not fair that you’re singing about not being young when you’re young and beautiful. And here I am—I’m like 80—and I’m like, That should have been my song!’”
Between her introspective songwriting, evolving outlook on fame, and fulfilling relationship, Miley Cyrus is embracing her next chapter with purpose and clarity. With Something Beautiful set to deliver a mix of healing and honesty, Miley proves she’s not just growing as an artist—she’s creating something transformative.
