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

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

Miley Cyrus is an American singer, songwriter, and actress recognized for her significant influence in popular music and her ability to reinvent her artistic image. She gained initial fame as a child actress before transitioning to a successful adult career. Cyrus achieved teen idol status through her role as Miley Stewart in the Disney Channel's 'Hannah Montana' (2006–2011), which spawned a profitable franchise and two chart-topping soundtracks on the Billboard 200, establishing her as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (6)

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

2001: Comparison to Britney's "Britney" album

Glamour writer Mickey Woods likened the promotional "era" for the album to those of Britney Spears's third studio album Britney in 2001.

2002: Comparison to Christina Aguilera's "Stripped" album

Glamour writer Mickey Woods likened the promotional "era" for the album to those of Christina Aguilera's fourth studio albums Stripped in 2002.

2008: Recognition in Time 100

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

2010: Recognition in Forbes Celebrity 100

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

2011: Paul McCartney compares Miley Cyrus to The Beatles

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

2012: Rolling Stone Ranking

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

2013: Controversy and Influence of "Bangerz" Album

Miley Cyrus's album Bangerz (2013), along with its promotional events, is considered to be one of the most controversial moments in the 2010s wider popular culture and established Cyrus among the decade's most controversial figures. Billboard listed Bangerz as one of the greatest and most influential albums of the 2010s noting that "with this pivotal album release, Cyrus took control of her public persona, surprising less with her provocative antics than with her constant artistic evolution".

2014: Happy Hippie Foundation Founded and Recognition in Time 100

In 2014, Miley Cyrus founded the Happy Hippie Foundation and was featured in the Time 100 list.

2015: Recognition in Forbes Celebrity 100

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

2015: Cyrus as the Madonna of Her Generation

In 2015, Rebecca Nicholson from The Guardian published an article calling Miley Cyrus the Madonna of her generation, citing her fluid approach to gender identity and ability to give good quote.

2017: Billboard names Cyrus 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's "Greatest of All Time Artists" 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.

2021: Vulture's Ranking of Disney and Nickelodeon Stars Gone Pop

In 2021, Vulture ranked Miley Cyrus number eight on its "Disney and Nickelodeon Stars Gone Pop" list, naming her as one of the few child stars with a successful music career as an adult and calling her "the archetype for Disney 2.0 stars".

2023: "Pop Chameleon" and "Comeback Artist of the Year"

In 2023, Miley Cyrus was nicknamed the "Pop Chameleon" by media and various publications, and Billboard named her the "Comeback Artist of the Year", noting that her 2023 single "Flowers" was the biggest chart smash of her career.

March 2024: Bratz Doll Likeness

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

2024: Disney Legends Award and Billboard Ranking

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

2025: Billboard's "Top Artists of the 21st Century" List

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.