During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 22, Miley Cyrus offered a thoughtful and often humorous reflection on her years in the spotlight, from her early days as Hannah Montana to the upcoming release of her new visual album.

While speaking about her early days on the Disney Channel, Miley Cyrus described the character of Hannah Montana as “a teenage pop star wearing a wig, being the most famous drag queen for kids ever.” She joked about the difference between fans who grew up watching Nickelodeon and those who liked Disney better, noting that Nickelodeon leaned more toward silly humor, while Disney often embraced flashier, more glamorous characters. Cyrus shared that she was surprised to learn some of her gay friends hadn’t grown up with Hannah Montana and according to her, they quickly became fans. She also added that characters like Hannah, High School Musical’s Sharpay Evans, and London Tipton from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody played a significant role in childhood for many.

The conversation also touched on Cyrus’s relationship with performance and the ways in which her career has shifted. She revisited her controversial 2013 MTV VMA performance with Robin Thicke, explaining that her appearance on Kimmel’s show earlier that summer served as a creative rehearsal for that moment. Reflecting on that period, she acknowledged how it shaped her approach to art and public image, and how much her perspective has evolved since then, something noticeable when you listen to her discography in chronological order.

Now, as an adult artist, Miley Cyrus says she is stepping into what she sees as a more grounded stage of her life and career. She briefly spoke about her connection with fans, mentioning the wide variety of autograph requests she receives, from typical items to more unexpected body parts, and joked, “I’ll pretty much do anything.” Even in these lighter moments, she showed an understanding of the challenges that come with being in the public eye for so many years.

Cyrus is currently preparing for the release of Something Beautiful, a visual album she describes as a story told through music, movement, and emotion rather than a traditional narrative. Influenced by projects like Pink Floyd’s The Wall, the album explores themes of personal growth and emotional recovery. will be released on May 30, with an accompanying film set to premiere on June 6.