Miley’s debt to dolly parton
The Cyrus musical style was formed in her childhood.
WHAT Miley Cyrus is wearing – or not wearing – always makes the showbiz headlines.
One minute she’s sporting a dazzling dress, the next some hotpants and a T-shirt, and the next ... well, nothing much at all.
I interviewed Miley last week, the day after she appeared at a Gay Pride parade in Washington DC where she wore a pair of fabulous sparkly jeans.
We had a lot to talk about – including her new music.
But first I asked Miley – daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus – why she wears what she does. The real reason? Dolly Parton! “I’m from Nashville and places like the Grand Ole Opry which isn’t just a venue but a lifestyle,” she laughed. “So I was growing up listening to Dolly Parton, or my dad listening to Patsy Cline or Tammy Wynette.
“I was growing up in this beach lifestyle which gave me a simplicity. I want people to see me be the same at the airport or the gas station.
“Entertainers can be two people but I want to be one person.
“I’m the person whose priority might be yoga ... or spending time with my pigs!
“I want people to be entertained by the message and not be distracted by what I am – or what I’m not – wearing.”
Dolly is actually her godmother, and the 24-year-old former Hannah Montana star told me she loved her approach to being an entertainer.
“She tells you a story, she tells you the truth – but she also is a little bit of a character herself,” added Miley.
“I want to let people know this is the most true, most grounded version of myself, but also I want to be able to have a little fun with what I wear without distracting from the music!
“If you don’t like Dolly you’re weird. And if I’m telling you you’re weird that’s saying something because I’m the weirdest person I know!
“No one doesn’t like Dolly. She’s all super respectful and love.
“She’s such a great musician and also a great role model.”
The subject of Miley’s love life came up too.
She’s now engaged to Aussie hunk Liam Hemsworth, whom she first met on the set of The Last Song.
“My whole life, I didn’t understand my own gender and my own sexuality,” she confessed.
“I don’t ever think about someone being a boy or someone being a girl.”