Miley Cyrus has experienced more than her fair share of wild-child moments. But in between the crazy costumes, ridiculous Instagram posts and silly tongue-out faces, the singer has also become an important social activist. From her thoughts on feminism to her messages of acceptance and equality, here are eight times Cyrus has proved she can be a good role model.
1. The start of her Happy Hippie Foundation
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Cyrus launched the nonprofit organization, which supports LGBTQ and homeless youth, earlier this year. The mantra of the organization reads, “Our mission is to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBT youth and other vulnerable populations.”
It’s a cause that’s dear to Cyrus, who doesn’t consider herself either gay or straight, and wants to help other young teens feel free to express their own sexuality the way they wish. As she wrote in an op-ed for the foundation, “No one should have to hide who they really are, no matter what his or her name, gender, status or orientation. “
2. Being unashamed of her sexuality
Cyrus has been candid about her open view of sexuality several times. Most recently, she identified herself as pansexual, telling Elle UK, “I’m very open about it — I’m pansexual. But I’m not in a relationship. I’m 22, I’m going on dates, but I change my style every two weeks, let alone who I’m with.”
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3. Valuing love and acceptance over the norm
Cyrus has continuously discussed the importance of being open and accepting of other people’s differences, instead of being judgmental or critical. It’s a lesson that she’s had to relearn herself in recent months, as she recently told Marie Claire. “Lately, I’ve been talking a lot about my being gender-fluid and gender-neutral. And some people snarl at that,” she said. “They want to judge me. People need more conventional role models, I guess. But I just don’t care to be that person.”
4. Being unafraid to be herself
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“I don’t really stress too much about being out there. There’s nothing left to catch me doing,” she said. “You want to hack my e-mail so you can find my nude pictures? I’ll just f***ing put them up.”
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5. Being open about her own evolution
While Cyrus has certainly come a long way from her Hannah Montana days, her evolution isn’t over yet and she’s admitted that time and time again. Looking back on her now-infamous 2013 VMAs performance, she told The New York Times, “I still love it. But I now watch it, and I see someone that isn’t me now.”
6. Proving that fame isn’t everything
“People get more famous, so that they can make their brand more famous, so that they can sell more shit, so that they can make more money. It’s a never-ending cycle,” she said. “Getting more money, having more hits, being the lead in the movie — those things might stimulate you, but they don’t make you happy. I’ve experienced it all already, and I’m telling you firsthand, it doesn’t.”
7. Acknowledging the importance of independence
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“There are times in my life where I’ve had boyfriends or girlfriends. And there are times where I just love being with myself and don’t want to give part of myself away to someone else,” Cyrus told Time earlier this year. “I think that’s a new freedom for women, especially. I don’t know that my mother would have been able to be 22 and secure in being alone. But my future doesn’t rely on having a partner.”
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8. Embracing female empowerment
“Being a woman, that’s everything to me,” Cyrus told Out. “Without women there is no life. I’m empowered as well, because I really feel like I hold something that’s the secret in all of life and the power of it.”
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