Miley Cyrus unveiled fresh imagery from the music video for the track Used to Be Young and shared the visuals across her social channels, inviting fans into a broader look at her creative process. The surface of the shots shows a deliberate stylistic choice, signaling a blend of nostalgia and contemporary boldness as she revisits a chapter in her career with a new lens.
In the photos, Cyrus stands before the lens dressed in a bespoke Maison Margiela ensemble created by designer John Galliano. The look centers on a striking red jumpsuit that carries a dramatic, fashion-forward energy, layered over a ripped Mickey Mouse T-shirt that adds a playful, rebellious edge. The makeup is vivid and intense, with multi-colored shadows that sweep across the eyelids, while the hairstyle features short, lively curls that give the whole aesthetic a modern, textured finish. The styling choices emphasize a willingness to mix refined couture with street-inspired elements, signaling a desire to fuse high fashion with pop-forward attitude.
At age 30, Cyrus uses the video’s two bright, reflective pages to trace a dual arc in her career. One part recalls the kinetic, provocative moments that gathered attention at the MTV Video Music Awards back in 2013, when her performances pushed boundaries and sparked conversation. The other part looks at the more intimate and personal expressions that have accompanied her since then, including bold visual statements like the memorable scene in which she rode a swinging balloon while a ram-like figure hit walls in the accompanying visuals for Wrecking Ball. Together, these moments illustrate a career marked by risk-taking, reinvention, and a persistent urge to challenge norms within the music industry.
As she sings, the lyrics emphasize a self-aware confidence: “I know I’m crazy, I know I’m funny. You say I’m wild, I’ll say I’m young.” The refrain underscores a self-portrait of someone who embraces individuality and estrogen-fueled energy with unapologetic honesty, framing youth as a core facet of her evolving artistic persona. The message resonates as a declaration that dualities can coexist—playful humor alongside serious artistry—while inviting listeners to reflect on how identity intersects with fame over time.
Beyond the performance narrative, the piece also includes candid reflections on past party scenes and the relationship to alcohol. Cyrus discusses how those experiences have shaped her perspective and how they influence the arc she intends to tell about her life and career. The sense conveyed is that the song and its visuals are part of a broader storytelling effort—one that acknowledges complexity, growth, and the path toward greater personal balance as a public figure who has spent years in the spotlight.
In conversations tied to the project, there is also a sense of boundary-setting. Cyrus hints at a shift away from the demand for large-scale tours or extravagant public appearances, suggesting a preference for more intentional, meaningful performances and a focus on artistry over spectacle. This stance aligns with a mature phase in her career where artistic expression and connection with listeners take precedence over ever-larger show formats. The overarching narrative points to a deliberate recalibration, prioritizing authenticity and a closer relationship with audiences as central pillars of her ongoing creative journey.
Taken together, the imagery, the accompanying lyrics, and the behind-the-scenes reflections offer a cohesive portrait of a performer who has navigated fame with resilience and adaptability. The visual choices, the references to landmark moments, and the candid discussions about personal experiences contribute to a richer understanding of Miley Cyrus as an artist who continually redefines herself while staying true to a distinctive, recognizable voice in the pop landscape.