PHOTO: Miley Cyrus covers 'Elle'
Miley Cyrus opens up in the May “Women in Music” issue of Elle about her childhood, depression, sex and much more.
The singer sat down with 17-year-old Rookie magazine founder Tavi Gevinson during the Phoenix stop on her BANGERZ tour, telling Gevinson she’s come a long way since her days on “Hannah Montana” and her split from Liam Hemsworth.
Cyrus shares, “I'm really thankful that I started on Disney. I got the most intense training. There’s times where I wish I could have just started as a new artist, but the world has kind of allowed me to do that. I feel really lucky — a lot of kid stars get all crazy or stuck in what they were, so they can’t actually become what they’re meant to be.”
The star reveals, “When I went through a really intense breakup — you know, I was engaged — and when I was with him or when I was on Disney, the thing that gave me the most anxiety was not knowing what to do with myself when Disney wasn't there to carry me anymore or if I didn't have him.”
She continues, “And now I’m free of both of those things, and I’m fine. Like, I lay in bed at night by myself and I’m totally okay, and that’s so much stronger than the person three years ago, who would have thought they would have died if they didn't have a boyfriend.”
Cyrus goes on to talk about her connection with her fans, saying its one of the most important aspects of her career.
The performer tells Gevinson, “I have guys and girls that come out, and they’re like, ‘The only reason I’m able to admit that I’m gay is because you’ve made me feel like that’s okay.’ That is so intense, because that is a part of this generation — it wasn't always accepted — and I feel like I am a big part of that change.”
“Or they know that I've struggled with depression, and that helped them get over theirs,”
admits Cyrus, adding, “That gives me a big purpose — a reason to wake up in the morning that’s bigger than to put on my f** king feathers and my little outfits.”
The “We Can’t Stop” singer goes on to discuss feminism, offering, “I’m just about equality, period. It’s not like, I’m a woman, women should be in charge! I just want there to be equality for everybody.”
Cyrus says she gets frustrated by the double standard among male and female artists, noting, “Guy rappers grab their crotch all f**king day and have hos around them, but no one talks about it. But if I grab my crotch and I have hot model b**ches around me, I’m degrading women? I’m a woman - I should be able to have girls around me! But I’m part of the evolution of that. I hope.”
The issue hits newsstands on April 22.
