Miley Cyrus Acknowledges Pharrell Williams for Guiding Her Journey Post 'Hannah Montana'

Miley Cyrus Credits Pharrell for Helping Find Herself After Hannah Montana 254

Miley Cyrus, Pharrell. Stewart Cook/CBS ; Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Global Citizen

Miley Cyrus was in a period of self-discovery after her time as Hannah Montana, and Pharrell Williams played a crucial role in guiding her through this journey. During an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1 on Friday, March 1, Cyrus, 31, shared that Pharrell was the only person she felt comfortable expressing her true desires to. She emphasized that he understood her vision, aspirations, and identity, allowing her to explore her authentic self without feeling restricted. In Cyrus' words, Pharrell acted as a supportive force, providing guidance without imposing limitations on her creative expression.

Cyrus recalled that when she was 17 or 18 years old, the producer Williams visited her at her home for a meeting. He was curious about her plans after finishing her time on Hannah Montana. Williams shared with her his "vision" for her as an artist, seeing potential beyond her Disney star image.

Reflecting on their meeting, Williams remembered how Cyrus was often typecast as just Hannah Montana at the time. Despite this, he saw her desire to explore life and break free from expectations. Williams understood her in a way that others didn't, recognizing her complexity and depth beyond her on-screen persona.

Before the Disney series ended in 2011, Cyrus had already dipped her toes into the music industry with the release of her album Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus in 2007, where she introduced herself beyond her TV character. The next year, she came out with her second studio album, Breakout.

As Cyrus found her musical style, she started to explore a different sound with her 2009 EP, The Time of Our Lives. She continued to break away from expectations with the release of her album Can’t Be Tamed in 2010.

Miley Cyrus Credits Pharrell for Helping Find Herself After ‘Hannah Montana 252

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Cyrus continued to explore her artistry, feeling the urge to push herself further. Even though she didn't immediately collaborate with Williams after their first meeting, they stayed in touch. Unsure of her next steps, Cyrus turned to Williams for guidance.

During a conversation with Lowe on Friday, Cyrus shared, "I told Pharrell that I really wanted to make a change. I wanted a significant transformation." She trusted Williams's opinion, knowing that others might discourage her. Williams encouraged her to take action without hesitation, affirming that it was the right move to make.

After their conversation, Cyrus took action. She cut her hair and entered her Bangerz era, where she released hit songs like "Wrecking Ball" and "We Can't Stop."

Williams was a producer on Cyrus' 2013 album. They even worked together on the song "Doctor (Work It Out)" back then. Although the track didn't make it to the album, Cyrus and Williams released it on Friday, more than ten years after it was originally created.

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a vivid picture of the transformative relationship between Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams. Cyrus's journey of self-discovery and artistic evolution is inspiring, and it's evident that Pharrell played a pivotal role in empowering her to embrace her authenticity. Their connection underscores the importance of having mentors who believe in our potential and encourage us to break free from societal expectations.

It's heartwarming to see how Pharrell recognized Cyrus's complexity beyond her Disney persona. His understanding of her aspirations allowed her to explore her true self without feeling confined. Cyrus's willingness to take risks and embrace change, guided by Pharrell's support, is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship. Their collaboration highlights the symbiotic relationship between artists and the mentors who help them navigate the challenges of the creative journey.