Lasting Legacy of Miley Cyrus: A Look at the Influence on History

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 25, 2026

How the contributions of Miley Cyrus continue to shape the world today.

Miley Cyrus is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her influential role in popular music and constant reinvention. She began her career as a child actress and rose to prominence as a teen idol, starring as Miley Stewart in Disney's 'Hannah Montana' (2006-2011). This role launched a successful franchise, including two number-one soundtracks on the Billboard 200, solidifying her presence in the entertainment industry.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2008: Recognition in Time 100

In 2008, Miley Cyrus was recognized in the Time 100 list.

2010: Forbes Celebrity 100 Recognition

In 2010, Miley Cyrus was featured in the Forbes Celebrity 100.

2011: Paul McCartney compares Miley Cyrus' success to that of the Beatles

In 2011, Paul McCartney compared the success of Miley Cyrus to that of The Beatles, noting that teenagers identify with new sensations like Miley Cyrus in the same way boys identified with The Beatles.

2012: Rolling Stone Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments

In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked Miley Cyrus as one of the top 25 teen idol breakout moments of the rock era, noting the meteoric rise of her career and comparing her potential to that of Britney Spears.

2013: Controversy and Impact of Bangerz Album

In 2013, Miley Cyrus's album Bangerz and its promotional events sparked significant controversy in popular culture and established her as a controversial figure of the decade. The album was recognized for its artistic evolution and impact on the music scene.

March 2014: Sociology Course on Miley Cyrus at Skidmore College

In March 2014, Skidmore College in New York began offering a special topics sociology course entitled "The Sociology of Miley Cyrus: Race, Class, Gender and Media," using Miley Cyrus as a lens to explore sociological thinking about identity, entertainment, media, and fame.

2014: Founding of Happy Hippie Foundation and Recognition in Time 100

In 2014, Miley Cyrus founded the Happy Hippie Foundation, which focuses on the LGBTQ community and youth homelessness. Also in 2014, she was recognized in the Time 100 list.

2015: Forbes Celebrity 100 Recognition

In 2015, Miley Cyrus was featured in the Forbes Celebrity 100.

2015: Comparison to Madonna and Disney Star Ranking

In 2015, Rebecca Nicholson from The Guardian called Miley Cyrus the Madonna of her generation. In November of the same year, Vulture ranked Cyrus number one on its "Disney and Nickelodeon Stars Gone Pop" listicle.

2017: Named a "Queer Superhero"

In 2017, Billboard published an article naming Miley Cyrus a "Queer Superhero" for her philanthropic fight for the LGBTQ+ community.

2019: Billboard Ranking

In 2019, Billboard ranked Miley Cyrus 62nd on its "Greatest of All Time Artists" chart, and 55th on the 2010s decade-end chart of Top Artists, signifying the most successful acts of the decade.

2019: Public Declaration as Childfree

Since 2019, Miley Cyrus has been vocally childfree, expressing her choice not to have children.

2021: Revision of ranking

In 2021, Vulture revised its ranking of Disney and Nickelodeon Stars Gone Pop, naming her as one of the few child stars with a successful music career as an adult, calling her "the archetype for Disney 2.0 stars" who "picked up the child-star trap of getting pigeonholed and set it on fire".

2023: "Pop Chameleon" Nickname and Billboard Recognition

In 2023, Miley Cyrus was nicknamed the "Pop Chameleon" by media and various publications. The Hollywood Reporter named Cyrus as one of its "Platinum Players" in music. Billboard included Cyrus in its "Greatest Pop Stars of 2023" listicle, naming her the "Comeback Artist of the Year" due to the success of "Flowers".

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March 2024: Miley Cyrus Bratz Doll

In March 2024, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of International Women's Day, Miley Cyrus was one of a number of celebrities who had their likeness turned into a Bratz doll.

2024: Disney Legends Award

In 2024, at age 31, Miley Cyrus became the youngest recipient of the Disney Legends award, for her outstanding contributions to the Walt Disney Company. In the same year, Billboard ranked her number 15 on its "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century".

2025: Billboard Ranking

In 2025, Billboard ranked Miley Cyrus twenty-first on its "Top Artists of the 21st Century" list, and ninth on its "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list.