In anticipation of her MTV Video Music Award hosting gig this Sunday, Miley Cyrus gave an interview with the New York Times, and it’s a doozy. The whole world clutched their pearls after her 2013 performance with Robin Thicke, and Cyrus is ready to up the ante, push the envelope, yadda yadda. MTV has basically given her free reign to do what she wants, and she promises that this award show will be “something new,” more “psychedelic” and “raw” than VMAs past.
In between joints, Cyrus gave a lot of insight into her mindset after the 2013 VMAs and how the public outcry gave her some perspective on her position:
“I remember knowing the night before that it was the first time I would get to perform in this new way. But I didn’t expect it to be what it became. When it was, something clicked in my mind: This many people notice me? If I’m going to be noticed by this many people, what am I really going to say? What I want to say isn’t ‘shake your ass.’ But even if you listen to Can’t Stop,’ it isn’t how I’d say it now, but it is still saying the same thing: ‘I’m going to do whatever I want.’ Now I know how to say that in my own words, not just in the way that’s a hit.”
After confirming that she doesn’t view her twerktacular performance as her crowning VMA achievement, Cyrus was asked to weigh in on the controversy surrounding Nicki Minaj’s snub. In her typical fashion, Cyrus doesn’t hold back or sugarcoat her opinion:
“If you want to make it about race, there’s a way you could do that. But don’t make it just about yourself. Say: ‘This is the reason why I think it’s important to be nominated. There’s girls everywhere with this body type.’ What I read sounded very Nicki Minaj, which, if you know Nicki Minaj is not too kind. It’s not very polite. I think there’s a way you speak to people with openness and love. You don’t have to start this pop star against pop star war. It became Nicki Minaj and Taylor in a fight, so now the story isn’t even on what you wanted it to be about. Now you’ve just given E! News ‘Catfight! Taylor and Nicki Go at It.'”
Cyrus isn’t entirely wrong. While it may have been due to media portrayal, the controversy did become more of a “fight” between pop stars than an honest discussion about racial bias in the entertainment business. People may discount her opinions because of her oddball persona, but Cyrus usually has surprisingly good insight.
People are waiting to see if Cyrus delivers or fails for sure, but either way, this VMA ceremony will be an interesting one. Just don’t ask Cyrus who she’s rooting for. When asked to name her favorite in this crop of nominees, it’s pretty clear that Cyrus isn’t too concerned with the “awards” aspect of the awards show:
“I don’t even really know too much of what’s nominated.”
Alrighty then.
(Via the New York Times)
