Miley Cyrus would like you to know that she's grown up. The dark, edgy (dare we say Gaga-esque?) video for "Can't Be Tamed" might've tipped you off, but if not, this week's Billboard cover story ought to do the trick.
"I'm just at a certain place where I've changed a lot as a person," the 17-year-old told Billboard. "I've grown up a lot, which everyone does."
With "Hannah Montana" ending this year, the June 22 release of Miley's new album on Hollywood Records will introduce Miley's post-Disney era. Her main concern? Not looking fake.
"With anything — the clothes I wear or the way I want to look — I don't plan it," she said. "Even with the video [for "Can't Be Tamed"] I had the treatment, but beyond that, it was whatever comes. We didn't have all the choreography set in stone because I didn't want it to end up looking fake and polished. Everything in life has to come naturally or I feel like it's just been done."
Though she may sing pop music, Miley said she doesn't listen actually listen to pop music — except for Lady Gaga. (For the record, she's more of a Poison kind of girl — Bret Michaels and co. were her first concert.)
"I listen to zero pop music, which is really weird for someone who makes pop music," she said. "My 13-year-old self would have beaten up my 17-year-old self because she would be like, 'You're a sellout!' But that's not what it is. It's not dance music that's just about, 'Ooh, I'm in the club and everyone's looking at me.' It means something. I'm not just sitting here trying to sell glitz and glamour...because no one lives that life. A lot of [pop] songs are super shallow, but this music isn't."
Another thing Miley doesn't like? "Glee." Yes, it's surprising since she sings and dances on a show that has four soundtrack albums, but Miley is no Gleek.
"Honestly, musicals? I just can't. What if this was real life and I was just walking down the street on Rodeo Drive and all of a sudden I just burst into song about how much I love shoes? ...It would get hits on YouTube."
Though "Hannah" first brought her success, Miley said her life without "Hannah" will be a little less hectic.
"It's hard when you're doing a show and you're going to London for two days and then you come back and you're doing the show again," she said. "I can kind of bounce around everywhere and I don't really have something that's tying me back here."
Are you digging Miley's edgier side? Will you buy her new album?
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