Miley Cyrus talks about her controversial Vanity Fair cover photo in a new TikTok video

There are few pop stars today who can match the musical versatility and stardom of Miley Cyrus. The pop sensation is known for constantly reinventing herself, which is the primary reason for her long and successful career in the music industry. Cyrus’ string of musical and public image reinventions arguably started with a very controversial photo shoot in 2008 that nearly annihilated her career.

In 2008, Miley Cyrus was a teen idol, but that image was dented by her appearance on the cover of a Vanity Fair issue, draping nothing but a white blanket. The photograph sparked controversy, and Cyrus was scrutinized for the same. However, Cyrus recently revised the controversial photo shoot in a TikTok video and has claimed she has no regrets over the photo. Cyrus also shared some heartwarming behind-the-scenes details regarding the photo shoot in the new video.

Miley Cyrus Does Not Regret Controversial Magazine Cover

Following the launch of her new single, Used to Be Young, Miley Cyrus did a series of TikTok videos inspired by the song’s theme. In the Used to Be Young TikTok series, Cyrus discusses moments from her past that have shaped her as a person and a musician. She revisited the controversial Vanity Fair photo shoot in one of the videos.

Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana
Cyrus addressed the almost topless Vanity Fair photo shoot in the TikTok video while reiterating that she had no regrets and made the following statement.

“This image of me is a complete opposite of the bubblegum pop star that I had been known for being, and that’s what was so upsetting [to others].”

In 2008, a Vanity Fair cover was released featuring a topless Miley Cyrus sporting red lipstick and draped in a white bedsheet. It sparked controversy given the singer’s young age and predominant fan following of teen girls. At the time, Cyrus was primarily known as the star of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, and the cover dented that image.

Following the widespread negative comments about the photo shoot, Cyrus apologized in 2008. However, Cyrus has admitted over the years that she does not regret the photoshoot. In 2018, Cyrus took to Twitter (now X) to share her feelings about the photo shoot on its tenth anniversary. In her tweet, Cyrus candidly retracted her apology. The Wrecking Ball hitmaker also shared a newspaper headline about her near-nude photo shoot and exclaimed she was not sorry for it.

IM NOT SORRY

Fuck YOU #10yearsago pic.twitter.com/YTJmPHKwLX

— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) April 29, 2018

Miley Cyrus Shares Heartwarming Detail of Vanity Fair Cover Pic

Miley Cyrus

Despite the generally negative response to her photo shoot when the Vanity Fair cover was released, Cyrus revealed she still looks back upon it fondly. In the new TikTok video, Cyrus revealed that she wore red lipstick for the first time during the photo shoot and praised makeup artist Patti Dubroff for the suggestion as it separated her from the Hannah Montana persona.

Cyrus also revealed another special memory associated with the photoshoot in the same video. Cyrus stated that her younger sister, Noah, was also present at the photo shoot.

“My little sister, Noah, was sitting on Annie [Leibovitz]’s lap and actually pushing the button of the camera, taking the pictures. My family was on set.” 

Although photographer Annie Leibovitz is credited for the shoot, Cyrus revealed her sister was also partially involved in what became the most talked about picture of her. Seeing how Cyrus’ family, especially her sister, was a part of the photo shoot, it is easy to understand why Cyrus does not regret the shoot and still looks back at it fondly despite the controversy it generated.