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How Twerking at the VMAs Made Miley Cyrus an Activist
She reflects on her past during Carpool Karaoke with James Corden.
2013 was the year of twerking, largely pushed into the mainstream by former Disney star Miley Cyrus. During the infamous performance of "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke, Cyrus stuck her tongue out, twerked all over the stage, and completely shook off her former image.
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Fast forward to 2017, and it seems Miley is reverting back to her country, girl next door, roots. But she hasn't completely forgotten the image that shot her into superstardom.
"The first VMAs in 2013–Robin Thicke, twerking–led me to be the activist I am today," she told James Corden during the latest episode of Carpool Karaoke. "I realized that if that many people were going to talk about something that I did, then I should make it a good thing."
"I should make it something that can change people’s lives, rather than be a controversial conversation that does nothing but become a fun Halloween costume for people."
And that she has. The pansexual musician launched her Happy Hippie Foundation, which advocated on behalf of young trans people at the 2015 VMAs. She campaigned for the federal equalities act last year with the Human Rights Campaign and with "Make America Gay Again" merchandise, on top of many other pro-LGBT projects.
"I think everyone should embrace who they used to be, because it’s made you who you are now," she explained during the car ride, moments before telling James Corden "it would’ve been more fun if we’d hotboxed this thing."
Watch the Carpool Karaoke episode below:
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Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
