5 Times Miley Cyrus Used Nudity To Reclaim Her Narrative: From Bangerz Controversy To The 2025 Margiela Campaign

Miley Cyrus has consistently been one of the most provocative and fiercely independent figures in pop culture, and as of late 2025, her use of nudity in artistic and fashion contexts continues to dominate headlines. Unlike many celebrity controversies, Cyrus's decision to bare all—whether in a music video, a magazine cover, or a high-fashion campaign—is almost always rooted in a deliberate statement about self-expression, artistic freedom, and reclaiming her image from the 'Hannah Montana' past. This deep dive explores the full timeline and philosophical context behind her most famous and recent nude moments, revealing how she has transformed public exposure into a tool of personal and artistic power. The most recent instance, a daring collaboration with a luxury fashion house in 2025, serves as a powerful bookend to a decade of image shifts, demonstrating a maturity and control over her narrative that was often missing during her tumultuous 'Bangerz' era. To truly understand the impact of these moments, one must first appreciate the journey of the artist behind the controversy.

Miley Ray Cyrus: The Evolving Artist Profile

Miley Ray Cyrus, born Destiny Hope Cyrus, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her distinctive voice and constant artistic reinvention.

• Full Name: Miley Ray Cyrus (Born Destiny Hope Cyrus)
• Date of Birth: November 23, 1992
• Birthplace: Franklin, Tennessee, U.S.
• Parents: Billy Ray Cyrus (Father, Country Singer) and Leticia "Tish" Jean Cyrus (Mother)
• Godmother: Dolly Parton
• Key Career Milestones: Rose to global fame as the star of the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana (2006–2011). She has released eight studio albums, secured two No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and won two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for "Flowers" at the 66th Grammy Awards.
• Artistic Signature: Known for her evolving artistry and image, transitioning from a teen idol to a controversial pop star, and ultimately, to a respected rock-and-roll and pop icon.

The Anatomy of Controversy: 5 Pivotal Nude Moments in Miley's Career

Miley Cyrus's choice to appear nude has rarely been a simple publicity stunt. Instead, it has served as a marker for a new artistic era, a form of protest, or a deeply personal expression of vulnerability and freedom. These five moments define her relationship with public scrutiny and her own body image.

1. The Wrecking Ball Music Video (2013)

The "Wrecking Ball" music video remains arguably the most famous and controversial instance of Miley Cyrus's nudity. Released during her pivotal Bangerz era, the video features Cyrus swinging on a wrecking ball completely nude, staring directly into the camera.

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The Context: This moment was a deliberate, explosive break from her squeaky-clean Disney image, a time when she was determined to shed the persona of Hannah Montana.

The Reclamation: While initially criticized as "raunchy" and "objectified," Cyrus later explained the deeper, emotional meaning. She stated that the difficulty of making the video was emotional, not physical, and the nudity was meant to convey how vulnerable her past relationship had left her, stripping her of her identity.

2. The Bangerz Era and VMA Performance (2013)

While not strictly nude, the entire Bangerz era was defined by a highly sexualized, provocative aesthetic that included minimal clothing, latex, and a constant flirtation with nudity. The infamous VMA performance with Robin Thicke cemented her "Hot Mess era" and drew massive controversy, including accusations of cultural appropriation.

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The Context: This period was characterized by a chaotic, maximalist approach to self-expression, where she pushed every boundary available to a pop star.

The Reflection: Years later, Cyrus reflected on this time, admitting she "carried some guilt and shame" for the public scandal, but ultimately she views it as a necessary, if harshly judged, period of artistic growth.

3. The Perfect Magazine Cover (2022)

A more recent and powerful example of her intentional nudity was her cover shoot for Perfect Magazine. In the images, she is completely nude, covering her modesty with one hand, embracing her natural hair and body.

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The Context: This shoot marked a clear shift from the chaotic energy of the Bangerz era to a more confident, mature statement on body image and self-acceptance.

The Reclamation: Cyrus explicitly framed this moment around the concept of self-worth, stating, "Even if I'm wearing nothing, there still feels like a force field of protection around me." This perspective positions her nudity not as exposure, but as an armor of self-love and body positivity.

4. The Hacked/Leaked Photos Contrast

It is important to note the distinction between Miley's artistic choices and past incidents of privacy violation. Like many celebrities, Cyrus has been a victim of unauthorized sharing and hacking of private, naked pictures.

The Context: This context is crucial because it highlights the difference between forced exposure and willful, artistic self-expression. Her deliberate nudity in music and art is a way of taking control back from a public that has, at times, sought to exploit her image.

The Statement: By choosing to be naked in high-profile, curated settings, she reclaims the narrative, ensuring that her body is viewed through her own artistic lens, not through the invasive, non-consensual lens of a hacker.

5. The Maison Margiela Autumn-Winter 2025 Campaign (2025)

The most current and high-profile instance of Cyrus's nudity is her collaboration for the Maison Margiela Autumn-Winter 2025 collection.

The Context: This campaign places her nudity squarely within the realm of high fashion and conceptual art. Collaborating with a brand known for its avant-garde and deconstructed approach, her images are presented as a sophisticated, artistic statement rather than a pop scandal.

The Legacy of Control: Posing fully nude for a major campaign in 2025 signifies the ultimate control over her image. It is not the desperate cry for attention of a star trying to escape her past, but the confident, measured choice of an established icon. She is using her body as a canvas to express the themes of the designer, blending her personal history of boundary-pushing with the elite world of luxury fashion. This act closes the loop on her decade-long style evolution, proving that her body is her own tool for authentic, unapologetic expression.

The Deeper Meaning: Nudity as Body Positivity and Artistic Expression

The recurring theme throughout Miley Cyrus’s career is the use of her body as a vehicle for artistic and personal freedom. Her highly publicized moments of nudity are often tied to broader conversations about body positivity and female autonomy in the entertainment industry.

Her transformation from the restrictive Disney-era wardrobe to her current, fluid, and often minimal style is one of the most authentic style evolutions in modern pop.

She has consistently demonstrated that her fashion and body choices reflect her emotional and life journey, often in real-time.

Whether in a magazine or a music video, the act of baring her body is, for Miley Cyrus, a form of radical honesty. It is a refusal to be packaged or censored by the expectations of the public or the industry. It’s a statement that her art, her body, and her narrative are entirely her own, a powerful message that continues to resonate with fans and critics alike in the mid-2020s.

Her openness challenges the double standards placed on female artists, demanding that her work be judged on its merit, not on the amount of clothing she chooses to wear. This enduring commitment to self-expression ensures that every "nude" moment from Miley Cyrus is not just a picture, but a headline-making piece of performance art.