Miley Cyrus transformed her Innovator Award victory at the iHeartRadio Music Awards into a poignant tribute to her roots in 'Hannah Montana.' For those unfamiliar, the sitcom revolves around Cyrus's character, Miley Stewart, a teenage girl leading a double life as the famous pop singer Hannah Montana. On Thursday, March 26, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Cyrus delivered a heartfelt speech following her award win.
For the 33-year-old American singer-songwriter, completing 20 years of 'Hannah Montana' was a "dream come true." She humorously added, "My double denim and gold scarf thank you, as they've been waiting over a decade to leave the house." Cyrus acknowledged that 'Hannah Montana' had a profound impact on her real life, as she drew inspiration from her character in her music career. She further shared, "I fell in love with the idea that you can create a persona that gives you the confidence and courage to perform authentically, and sometimes the fake you can actually reveal the real you."
The 'Heart of Glass' crooner spoke candidly about her concept of innovation, which she has been implementing throughout her career. She explained, "Innovation for me hasn't been about leaving who I've been behind, but about keeping the journey of finding myself a lot of fun. I've always written songs and told stories because I love it, and winning awards for that work is of course rewarding, but it's not my compass. If it was, I'm sure I'd end up very lost."
"When the win isn't recognition but making art that reaches the hearts of people I may never meet, it brings me a kind of joy that is deeply meaningful. Younger me is so honored to share this moment with you. I'm proud to stand here and tell you how much you mean to me," she concluded.
It's worth noting that artists who have brought positive change in music and global culture throughout their careers have been receiving the iHeartRadio Innovator Award since its inception in 2014. Notably, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, U2, and Chance the Rapper have all received this prestigious award.
