“Miley Cyrus’s Top 11 Scandals Over the Years: A Look Back at the Controversies That Shocked the Internet”

Miley Cyrus’ public transition from Disney darling to adult hit fans like a wrecking ball, and she has no regrets about it.

The “Prisoner” songstress, 28, has overcome every scandal a young pop star could face, from a wild Vanity Fair cover to leaked nude photos and drug use.

Though she at first atoned for each controversy as she faced it, she later changed her tune and became proudly unapologetic.

Here are her 11 biggest scandals through the years.

1. Intimate photos get leaked

In 2008, a hacker accessed Cyrus’ personal photos and leaked them across the internet. One photo showed Cyrus intimately posing for then-boyfriend Thomas Sturges.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Cyrus said her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, tried to ignore the scandal at the time while her mom, Tish Cyrus, was infuriated.

“My dad ignored it because it’s just like any teenage girl and their dad’s like, ‘Let’s please not have this conversation,’” she told the magazine. “My mom, I think it made her really angry. I think even she felt it could be distracting from what I was doing.”

2. The nearly nude Vanity Fair cover

For Vanity Fair’s June 2008 cover, Annie Leibovitz photographed then-15-year-old Cyrus in nothing but a sheet.

Then a Disney star on “Hannah Montana,” Cyrus faced immediate controversy for posing so scandalously. At first, the “Malibu” singer caved to the backlash and issued an apology.

“I appreciate all the support of my fans and hope they understand that along the way I am going to make mistakes and I am not perfect,” the statement read. “I never intended for any of this to happen, and I am truly sorry if I have disappointed anyone.”

Ten years later, Cyrus rescinded her apology. Re-sharing a New York Post cover via Twitter, Cyrus wrote, “IM NOT SORRY” and added, “F–k YOU.”

3. She and a friend cyberbully Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato

Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus in 2008WireImage

Cyrus and Lovato had been lifelong friends, but when Lovato was set to make her Disney Channel debut in “Camp Rock” in 2008, the tides turned.

Cyrus and pal Mandy Jiroux uploaded a video to Cyrus’ YouTube in which they mocked Lovato and the “Wizards of Waverly Place” star, fueling rumors that their friendship was on the rocks. She and Jiroux eventually deleted the video and apologized.

4. Cyrus is accused of racism

Miley Cyrus and her friends pose with slanted eyes

In 2009 when she was just 16, Cyrus faced backlash for making “slanted eyes” in a photo with friends, which many took to be offensive against the Asian community. She chalked it up as making “goofy faces,” which didn’t fly.

A group representing LA-based Asians sued Cyrus for the gaffe and demanded $4,000 in damages per complainant. A judge eventually tossed out the lawsuit.

5. Pole dancing at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards

Miley Cyrus at the 2009 Teen Choice AwardsWireImage

It certainly was a party at the Teen Choice Awards.

While performing her mega-hit single “Party in the U.S.A.,” Cyrus, who was still starring on “Hannah Montana” at the time, made headlines by pole dancing. It was a far different image for someone appearing on the Disney Channel.

At the time, Disney Channel had no comment on the sensual dance moves.

6. The infamous bong video

In December 2010, a seemingly now-former friend leaked video of Cyrus smoking salvia from a bong.
Though she first said she was “disappointed” in herself, she later showed her good sense of humor by honoring it on the 10-year anniversary.

“Happy 10 year anniversary to the groundbreaking video of a teenager smoking a bong & saying dumb s–t to their friends,” she captioned the re-shared video.

7. The penis birthday cake for Liam Hemsworth

In 2012, Cyrus purchased a penis-shaped cake for then-boyfriend Liam Hemsworth (whom she’d later marry and divorce).
A picture of her licking the cake went viral and she later admitted the inappropriately sweet treat got her fired from the animated film “Hotel Transylvania.”

8. Twerking on Robin Thicke at the 2013 VMAs

Miley Cyrus twerks on Robin ThickeFilmMagic

‘Twas the dance move seen ’round the world.

Cyrus certified herself as a controversial star during her “Bangerz” era when she twerked all over Robin Thicke during the 2013 MTV VMAs while performing a duet version of “Blurred Lines.”
Scantily dressed in skin-tight shorts and a crop top during the shocking performance, Cyrus caused jaws to drop.

Friends of Cyrus later told Page Six that they suspected she may have been on drugs during the controversial performance.

9. Lighting a joint on stage at the 2013 MTV EMAs

Miley Cyrus lights a joint at the 2013 MTV EMAsWireImage

Cyrus continued to throw caution to the wind in 2013, following up her twerktastic performance at the VMAs with a marijuana-laden one at the MTV EMAs.

While accepting the best video award for her song “Wrecking Ball,” Cyrus told the audience, “‘You know, I couldn’t fit this award in my bag but I did find this,’” before pulling out what appeared to be a joint from her Chanel bag and lighting it.

Years later she said that moment was why she was no longer invited to awards shows.

10. Speaking out on rap and hip-hop music

Miley Cyrus in 2017Isaac Brekken

During her “Malibu” era, Cyrus came under fire for her comments on rap and the hip-hop music genres, which she already had been accused of appropriating during her “Bangerz” album.

“I can’t listen to that anymore. That’s what pushed me out of the hip-hop scene a little,” she told Billboard. “It was too much ‘Lamborghini, got my Rolex, got a girl on my c–k’ — I am so not that.”

She later defended her comments in a since-deleted Instagram post, saying she prefers “uplifting, conscious” rap.

“I have always and will continue to love and celebrate hip-hop as I’ve collaborated with some of the very best,” Cyrus wrote.
“At this point in my life I am expanding personally/musically and gravitating more towards uplifting, conscious rap!
As I get older I understand the effect music has on the world & seeing where we are today I feel the younger generation needs to hear positive powerful lyrics!”

11. Liam Hemsworth cheating scandal

Miley Cyrus and Liam HemsworthWireImage

When Cyrus and Hemsworth announced the shocking news that they were divorcing, rumors swirled that she cheated on him with Kaitlynn Carter.

In a lengthy Twitter thread copping to her many faux pas over the years, Cyrus vehemently denied cheating on Hemsworth.

“I can admit to a lot of things but I refuse to admit that my marriage ended because of cheating.
Liam and I have been together for a decade. I’ve said it before & it remains true, I love Liam and always will,” she wrote.

Though Cyrus has been through the ringer in terms of scandals and controversies, her attitude can be summed up by her tweet: “I am proud to say, I am simply in a different place from where i was when I was a younger.”