Miley Cyrus reveals why her parents 'never needed' her fame to survive

Miley Cyrus has defended her parents against long-standing allegations that they relied on her childhood fame for financial stability. In a candid interview with Vogue, the former Disney star reflected on her formative years headlining the hit series Hannah Montana.

Addressing critics directly, she clarified that neither her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, nor her mother, Tish, viewed her career as a primary source of income.

“My parents didn’t need me to be famous to survive or to be stable,” Cyrus asserted, ensuring that her personal earnings remained under her own control from the outset.

The "Flowers" singer explained that she avoided the common pitfalls of child stardom where parents often prioritise their own ambitions over their children's wellbeing.

“What happens to a lot of these kids is their parents want it more than they do, or the kids become responsible for the entire income of the family. That was never my job. Every penny I ever made went into my bank account because my parents were good,” she stated.

Cyrus also highlighted the protective environment her father maintained during her time on the Disney set. She noted that his constant presence served as a safeguard against the vulnerabilities often faced by young performers in the industry.

“My dad was on set every single day, so there was nothing that could happen that he wouldn’t know about. There was never a time where I was going to be alone in that dressing room,” she recalled.

These reflections come just as the "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" prepares for its release on 24 March.