
Disney Channel alum and formerly controversial pop star Miley Cyrus recently released a new music video where she nods to her Disney past.
Having a Disney past is certainly not an easy thing to reconcile. Many Disney stars can attest to that reality. Selena Gomez has spoken out before about how she’s still sometimes triggered by her past, Demi Lovato has shared some horrific truths about what happened to her while with the Disney Channel, and even Dove Cameron has shared how challenging and restrictive her time with the Walt Disney Company was.
Wild Child Miley Cyrus Gets Real
Miley Cyrus consistently made headlines as a younger celebrity for acting out in ways people considered “wild” or “crazy” (per the lyrics of Cyrus’s latest song). However, Cyrus has spoken out time and again that while her actions were admittedly on the wilder side, she was too harshly judged, considering she was a child.
While she has mellowed down and grown up over the years, the singer has become more forgiving and gracious towards her past self (think of her performance with Robin Thicke), reflecting on her decisions as a young adult.
Read More: Former Disney Star Dishes on her Reputation: “I Wear My Empowerment at All Times.”
Miley Cyrus Releases “Used To Be Young”
In an Instagram post that served as a teaser for the song, Miley Cyrus explains that she wrote the lyrics to the song two years ago at the beginning of her ESV.
She wrote, “Used To Be Young. August 25th. These lyrics were written almost 2 years ago at the beginning of my ESV. It was at a time I felt misunderstood. I have spent the last 18 months painting a sonic picture of my perspective to share with you. The time has arrived to release a song that I could perfect forever. Although my work is done, this song will continue to write itself everyday. The fact it remains unfinished is a part of its beauty. That is my life at this moment ….. unfinished yet complete.”
View this post on Instagram
Most notably, as fans will notice in the lyrics, Cyrus sings in defense of her younger self,
I know I used to be crazy
I know I used to be fun
You say I used to be wild
I say I used to be young
In addition, Cyrus also spots a Mickey Mouse t-shirt underneath a red body suit, likely a nod to her Disney Channel start where she rose to fame as the beloved Hannah Montana.
Listen to the singer croon away for yourself!
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Cyrus explains with a clip from Endless Summer Vacations Continued (Backyard Sessions) Cyrus explains that her latest song is “optimistic and there’s a sadness. It’s allowing sadness and joy to be happening simultaneously, which happens all the time. More importantly, this song is about looking toward the future and where I’m going.”