Pop icon Miley Cyrus is opening up about her past work with a candid reflection on her 2020 album Plastic Hearts, revealing she regrets writing nearly half of its songs — and says much of the music came from a place of pain.
In a recent interview, the 31-year-old singer and songwriter shared that many tracks from Plastic Hearts were written during a turbulent period in her life, calling them a “trauma response.”
Raw Emotions Behind the Music
Cyrus admitted that, while Plastic Hearts was a commercial success and praised for its edgy rock-influenced sound, much of it came from emotional turmoil.
“I regret writing half the songs on Plastic Hearts. Honestly, a lot of it was a trauma response,” she said.
The album, released in November 2020, followed a series of personal challenges for the singer, including her highly publicized divorce from actor Liam Hemsworth and the destruction of her Malibu home in a wildfire. The emotional weight of that time, she now says, heavily influenced the songwriting process.
Looking Back with Clarity
Now in a more stable phase of her life, Miley says she has a different perspective on her creative output.
“I was just trying to survive emotionally. The music reflects that, but not necessarily in a way I want to relive,” she explained.
Despite the regret, Cyrus acknowledged the album played a crucial role in her healing journey. Songs like “WTF Do I Know,” “Midnight Sky,” and “Angels Like You” captured the chaos, defiance, and vulnerability she felt at the time.
Fans Appreciate the Honesty
While some artists shy away from publicly criticizing their own work, fans have praised Cyrus for her honesty and self-awareness. Social media was abuzz with support after her admission, with many saying it makes the album even more meaningful knowing the context behind it.
A New Chapter for Miley
Since Plastic Hearts, Cyrus has released Endless Summer Vacation (2023) — a more mature, reflective body of work that marked a shift in tone and style. Her hit single Flowers from that album topped global charts and earned her a Grammy.
As Miley continues evolving both personally and professionally, she says she’s learned not to create solely from a place of pain.
“Now, I’m writing from clarity, from joy. It’s different. It’s healing in a whole new way.”
