Miley Cyrus’ Transformation: Photos of Her Disney Channel Days to Now

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August 12, 2024 3:47PM EDT
Miley Cyrus performs onstage at the A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival
WireImage

Miley Cyrus is one of the music industry’s biggest chameleons. Check out how the star went from her Disney Channel roots to a master of mayhem with some of her best photos over the years!

Miley Cyrus has gone through a major change since her time playing Hannah Montana. The series started in 2006 and lasted until 2011, with a film released in 2009 to boot. But by 2010, Miley was ready to announce herself as a mature pop star. She starred in the film The Last Song with her now-ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth, and released her album Can’t Be Tamed the same year.

By 2013, Miley completely changed her tune to something that suited her with her album Bangerz. She became a sensation with her music videos like “Wrecking Ball” and “Adore You.” She also had one of the most infamous performances on the MTV VMAs in the mid-2010s.

By the latter half of the decade, Miley devoted herself to her philanthropy with her Happy Hippie Foundation and refocused her music career. In 2024, the “Flowers” hitmaker finally won her first Grammy Award. Later that year, she was crowned a Disney Legend at the D23 expo.

It’s no wonder why we can’t stop thinking about Miley! Take a look at her transformation in the images throughout this gallery.

1 of 19

Miley Cyrus at the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards

Miley Cyrus at the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards
Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Oh baby! Miley Cyrus was just a tween when she appeared at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 23, 2006. The daughter of “Achy Breaky Heart” crooner Billy Ray Cyrus looked so cute as she struck a pose in a pink dress with sassy silver Stuart Weitzman.

June 24, 2020, 12:04PM
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Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana

Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana
Charles Sykes/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus would demonstrate her singing skills and comedic chops when she began her run as Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel show. Seen here at the Licensing International Expo in New York on June 19, 2007, the star glitters as her rock star alter-ego.

June 24, 2020, 12:04PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2008 Annual Grammy Awards

Miley Cyrus at the 2008 Annual Grammy Awards
Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus offers a smoldering stare at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2008. She looked great in her white mini dress with rich, brunette curls. Her piercing look would later become a meme.

June 24, 2020, 12:04PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2009 Academy Awards

Miley Cyrus at the 2009 Academy Awards
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus at the 81st Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2009. She looked stunning in her Zuhair Murhad, which featured petals of sequined fabric.

June 24, 2020, 12:04PM
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Miley Cyrus in ‘The Last Song’

Miley Cyrus in ‘The Last Song’
Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus in ‘The Last Song.’ She starred alongside Future-husband Liam Hemsworth in the 2010 film.

The duo would fall head-over-heels, getting engaged in 2012, but they called off their engagement in fall of 2013. Things weren’t over for the duo, however. They reunited again in 2016 and secretly married in Dec. 2018, only to split less than a year later.

Liam was the first to break his silence on the split in Aug. 2019, posting an Instagram that said, “Just a quick note to say that Miley and I have recently separated and I wish her nothing but health and happiness going forward. This is a private matter and I have not made, nor will I be making, any comments to any journalists or media outlets. Any reported quotes attributed to me are false.”

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2011 American Giving Awards

Miley Cyrus at the 2011 American Giving Awards
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus glows in Jenny Packham at the American Giving Awards in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 2011. She looked stunning in this beige, chiffon gown with a sequin neckline and worn with Alaia heels.

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2012 Academy Awards Vanity Fair Party

Miley Cyrus at the 2012 Academy Awards Vanity Fair Party
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus was breathtaking in soft Roberto Cavalli at the 84th Annual Academy Awards Vanity Fair Party in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2012. She was stunning the formfitting, long-sleeved, grey-blue gown which she teamed with bombshell curls, art deco earrings and red lips.

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards

Miley Cyrus at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards
Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP/Shut

Miley Cyrus bares nearly all onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclay Center in New York on Aug. 24, 2013. She gave one of the most infamous performances in MTV VMA history!

Her raunchy performance with Robin Thicke would become a cultural touchstone. Talking about the moment in March 2018 with Wonderland, Miley said, “Not only was culture changed, but my life and career were changed forever…It inspired me to use my platform for something much bigger.”

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2014 Jeremy Scott Show

Miley Cyrus at the 2014 Jeremy Scott Show
Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus is psychedelic chic at the Jeremy Scott show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York on Sept. 10, 2014. She wore head-to-toe looks from the designer, who is known for his wild, pop-art-influenced looks.

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
10 of 19

Miley Cyrus at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards

Miley Cyrus at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards
Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Aug. 30, 2015. She wore barely-there Versace and definitely stole the show with her wild silver and crystal look!

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
11 of 19

Miley Cyrus at Variety’s 2016 Power of Women Event

Miley Cyrus at Variety’s 2016 Power of Women Event
Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterst

Miley Cyrus at Variety’s Power of Women Presented by Lifetime Los Angeles event on Oct. 14, 2016. She rocked her white and cream floral jumpsuit with a plunging neckline.  

At the event, Miley was honored for her work with her Happy Hippie Foundation, which helps homeless and LGBT youth. She told the audience, “I just want to say to anyone who has ever felt like they’re different or they don’t fit in, I want you to take that victory and feel like you’re not alone. I’m wishing for peace and love on our planet because hate and war has gone on way too long.”

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus Performs on NBC’s ‘Today’ Show in 2017

Miley Cyrus Performs on NBC’s ‘Today’ Show in 2017
Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus performs on NBC’s ‘Today’ show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York on May 26, 2017. She wore this white and cream look with a matching hat while she sang! 

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2018 Met Gala

Miley Cyrus at the 2018 Met Gala
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” in New York on May 7, 2018.

She wore a breathtaking, black Stella McCartney design with a plunging front and flowing train. Her jewelry was on-theme, featuring custom Sydney Evan hoop earrings, with a large cross, a pyramid spike cross charm, small cross studs, and a pave chain link ring and necklace.

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
14 of 19

Miley Cyrus at the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Film Premiere in 2019

Miley Cyrus at the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Film Premiere in 2019
Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus at the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Film Premiere in Los Angeles on April 22, 2019. She wore Saint Laurent and stunned on the purple carpet. There to support Liam, Miley would announce they were splitting just months later. They were wed for only 8 months.

Looking back on the relationship with Rolling Stone, Miley would say, “In early 2018, I was playing house, which felt really good at the time. Now I have this healthy perspective that I didn’t have before. I learned a lot about what I can and cannot be for someone else and what I can and cannot accept for myself.”

She would also tell Howard Stern, “I really do and did love him very, very, very much and still do, always will.”

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2020 Tom Ford show

Miley Cyrus at the 2020 Tom Ford show
Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus at the Tom Ford show in Los Angeles on Feb. 7, 2020. She wore Tom Ford and looked so powerful in her plunging black jumpsuit.

 

June 24, 2020, 12:03PM
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Miley Cyrus at the 2019 Met Gala

Miley Cyrus at the 2019 Met Gala
Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus rocked this green & black striped sequin Saint Laurent mini dress with sheer tights & black platforms at the Met Gala celebrating “Camp: Notes on Fashion” in New York City on May 6, 2019.

August 30, 2023, 1:25PM
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Miley Cyrus at the Saint Laurent Show

Miley Cyrus at the Saint Laurent Show
Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus wore these distress black leather skinny jeans with a black tank top, a sparkly silver blazer & boots to the Saint Laurent Spring Summer 2020 fashion show in Los Angeles on June 6, 2019.

August 30, 2023, 1:25PM
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Miley Cyrus at the LACMA: Art + Film Gala

Miley Cyrus at the LACMA: Art + Film Gala
Shutterstock

Miley Cyrus wore this colorful, floral Balenciaga suit with a sheer white turtleneck underneath to the LACMA: Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles on November 6, 2021.

August 30, 2023, 1:25PM
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Miley Cyrus Attending the 2024 Grammy Awards

Miley Cyrus Attending the 2024 Grammy Awards
Getty Images for The Recording Academy

While attending the 2024 Grammys, Miley won her first-ever award after years in the music business. 

August 12, 2024, 3:46PM