For over a decade, Miley Cyrus has been making music accompanied with visuals. Below, we’ve compiled the top 11 music videos that show just how Miley paved the way for herself in the music industry. Miley, whose real name is Destiny Hope Cyrus, was born on November 23, 1992, in Tennessee. Her father is country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, and he and her mother, Tish, gave her the nickname “Smiley,” which they later shortened to “Miley” because she often smiled as an infant. In 2008, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus. Her godmother is country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Amidst the height of Billy Ray’s success and touring alongside Parton, he asked her to be Miley’s godmother in 1992.

Miley’s Early Career

Cyrus auditioned for Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana when she was thirteen years old, initially for the role of the title character’s best friend. However, she was called to audition for the lead role. Despite being denied the part at first because she was “too small and too young” for the role, she was later cast as the lead because of her singing and acting abilities. She became a “teen idol” after the show’s success, which ran for four seasons and ended with a theatrical feature film in 2009. Following her Disney days, Cyrus was hoping to develop a more mature image and starred in Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song. This is where she met her now ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth.

RELATED: Miley Cyrus on Why She Doesn’t Want to Tour

In 2023, Cyrus dropped her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation. She described the record as her “love letter to Los Angeles,” which reflects upon the “strength” she found in focusing on her physical and mental well-being. The music video for the album’s debut single “Flowers” shades her ex-husband for cheating on her with 14 women. She said in March the song reflects a time in her life when she went through a lot emotionally and personally. It started as something that was troubling. Using a metaphor to describe “RIVER,” the songwriter said. “It feels like it’s an April shower. It never stops raining. And then it started raining down like love.” The artist then said bluntly how “they” don’t want her to talk about her ex-husband, whose name is censored.

Keep scrolling below to see our favorite 11 Miley Cyrus music videos:

• Prisoner

  Dua Lipa joins Miley in 2020’s “Prisoner” from Plastic Hearts, where the two bring back the 80’s music era through their aesthetic vibes. Their voices complement each other so well! The video also references The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

• Plastic Hearts

  The slot machine shows the different eras of Mileys in her life, followed by the iconic Hannah Montana sign. This music video is so nostalgic for fans as Cyrus’ sound takes on a new glam rock sound.

• Midnight Sky

  “Midnight Sky,” directed by Miley Cyrus, continues her ’80s-inspired era in Plastic Hearts, evoking her inner Madonna. We are loving the glam, neon lights, and mirrored room.

• Malibu

  Written about a place and person she loved at the time (ex-husband Liam Hemsworth), “Malibu” feels like her anthem of freedom. When Miley expresses raw emotions like in this 2017 track, we connect with her on a deep level between fan and artist.

• Slide Away

  “Slide away” is about letting go of your past, moving forward realizing things won’t go back to how they used to be. The relatable song is accompanied by this music video, where you can see Miley’s raw emotion and pain.

• We Can't Stop

  The first single from Miley’s 2013 Bangerz, “We Can’t Stop” was our first introduction to the bolder Miley that we now have come to know. Despite her hip-hop album being criticized even to the way she dressed in that era, this song was definitely a “banger.”

• Jolene

  Miley’s godmother Dolly Parton wrote “Jolene,” so naturally Miley covered the song as a tribute to her godmother. Her dad Billy Ray collaborated with Lil Nas X on a remix of “Old Town Road,” and Lil Nas X recently did his own cover of “Jolene,” which Dolly says she liked. Everything came full circle thanks to Dolly.

• Can't Be Tamed

  Remember when this music video was controversial because of Miley’s clothing and dance moves?! Arguably, “Can’t Be Tamed” is her most iconic video, giving us the pop version of Black Swan in her own way at 17 years old.

• When I Look At You

  “When I Look At You” debuted over a decade ago, and it was used to promote the Nicholas Sparks film The Last Song, in which she co-starred with Liam Hemsworth. The piano ballad shows clips from the romantic film as Miley and Liam sit at the grand piano.

• Nothing Else Matters

  Featuring WATT, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo, and Chad Smith, Elton said Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” is one of the best songs ever written by anyone. Miley’s 2021 cover shows her more developed, adult voice that gives us chills.

• WITHOUT YOU

  The Kid LAROI adding Miley to the track was a brilliant move, as her voice collides so well with his. The video, along with many of her other music videos, was directed by Miley herself.

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