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Miley Cyrus’ Surprise Album Is Bigger Than the VMAs

2 minute read

It’s been almost two years since Beyoncé purportedly changed the music industry with her surprise drop of her self-titled album in December of 2013—and it seemed, until now, that she hadn’t, really. In the months following the release of Beyoncé, artists of a similar caliber were treated as time bombs. Surely, soon, one of them would follow suit and surprise us all with a new album. But none of them ever did. Until tonight, when Miley Cyrus announced her new album, apparently titled Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz, such hopes went unanswered.

Cyrus plays on the same field as fellow singers including Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift, but all of her contemporaries have remained bound by a rigid schedule dictated by record companies or by their own reliance on old-school promotional cycles. Her drop of a new album isn’t imaginative, strictly speaking—after all, Beyoncé did it first—but her hijacking an awards show to promote suddenly-released material feels new. All artists at the VMAs want to get someone to buy their music, but only Cyrus declared that her new music was the real, more interesting show, and bigger news than the ceremony itself. (Indeed, her hosting of the ceremony felt lackluster, as though she were saving her charisma for her big announcement.)

See the Evolution of Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus on Oct. 8, 1994 at Pyramid Arena in Memphis.Ron Galella, Ltd.—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus in New York City on Feb. 9, 2006.Paul Hawthorne—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus and Vanessa Hutchinson
Vanessa Hudgens and Miley Cyrus in Los Angeles on Apr. 30, 2006.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 23, 2006.Kevin Winter—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus in Westwood, Calif., on July 17, 2006.Vince Bucci—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana on Nov. 2, 2008.Disney
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus in New York City on Oct. 23, 2006.Peter Kramer—Getty Images
Ashley Tisdale Miley Cyrus - MTV TRL
Miley Cyrus and Ashley Tisdale on MTV's TRL in New York City on June 20, 2006.Michael Loccisano—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus performs as Hannah Montana in Uniondale, N.Y., on Dec. 27, 2007.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 80th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 24, 2008.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Dolly Parton
Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton in an episode of Disney's Hannah Montana on Dec. 7, 2007.Disney/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Sweet Sixteen
Miley Cyrus celebrates her 16th birthday during the 2008 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 23, 2008.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Taylor Swift
Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift perform onstage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2009.John Shearer—WireImage/Getty Images
Billy Ray Cyrus Miley Cyrus
Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus in the 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie.Disney
Miley Cyrus Billy Ray Cyrus Golden Globe
Tish, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2009.NBC/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2010.Larry Busacca—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus - Teen Choice Award 2009
Miley Cyrus performs onstage during the 2009 Teen Choice Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif., on Aug. 9, 2009.Kevin Winter—Fox/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Sheryl Crow
Miley Cyrus and Sheryl Crow on stage at Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City on Sept. 17, 2009.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Much Music
Miley Cyrus performs at the 21st Annual MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto on June 20, 2010.George Pimentel—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 2009 VH1 Divas in New York City on Sept. 17, 2009.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber perform at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Aug. 31, 2010.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Dancing with the Star
Miley Cyrus performs on an episode of ABC's Dancing with the Stars on May 2010.Adam Larkey—ABC/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Liam Hemsworth
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth in the 2010 film The Last Song.Touchstone Pictures
Miley Cyrus Tish Cyrus
Miley and Tish Cyrus at The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2011.Lester Cohen—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 2012 People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2012.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Liam Hemsworth
Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2012.Christopher Polk—VF/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 20, 2012.Denise Truscello—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 6, 2012.Christopher Polk—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus performs during 2012 VH1 Divas in Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2012.Kevin Winter—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus poses with fans in London on July 18, 2013.Ben Pruchnie—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the Fashion Group International's 30th annual "Night Of Stars" awards gala in New York City on Oct. 22, 2013. Evan Agostini—Invision/AP
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus performs on NBC's Today show on Oct. 7, 2013 in New York City.NBC/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus dances at Compound Entertainment and Malibu Red Grammy Midnight Brunch at Bagatelle/STK in Los Angeles on Feb. 9, 2013.Johnny Nunez—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus attends the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013.Stephen Lovekin—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 19, 2013.Jon Kopaloff—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus attends Rachel Zoe during Fall 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in New York City on Feb. 13, 2013.Jamie McCarthy—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the SiriusXM Studios in New York City on June 27, 2013.Slaven Vlasic—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City on Aug. 25, 2013.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Robin Thicke Miley Cyrus
Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus perform during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in New York City on Aug. 25, 2013.Rick Diamond—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus performs at the 2013 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 24, 2013.Christopher Polk—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus performs at the Time Square's New Year's Eve 2014 ball drop celebration in New York City on Dec. 31, 2013.Steve Mack—FilmMagic/Getty Image
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus at the 56th annual Grammy Awards Pre-Grammy Gala in Los Angeles on Jan. 25, 2014.Jeffrey Mayer—WireImage/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus: MTV Unplugged - Fixed Show
Miley Cyrus performs during Miley Cyrus: MTV Unplugged in Los Angeles on Jan. 28, 2014.Christopher Polk—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Bangerz Concert
Miley Cyrus performs at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., on Aug. 1, 2014.Taylor Hill—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Wayne Coyne
Miley Cyrus and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips perform in Los Angeles on Feb. 22, 2014.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus MTV VMA
Miley Cyrus at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug. 24, 2014. Mario Anzuoni—Reuters
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus and My Friend's Place representative Jesse Helt at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug. 24, 2014.Christopher Polk—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus Jeremy Scott
Miley Cyrus walks with Jeremy Scott after a presentation of his Spring/Summer 2015 collection during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 10, 2014. Lucas Jackson—Reuters
Miley Cyrus Met Gala
Miley Cyrus attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 4, 2015 .Dimitrios Kambouris—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus - VMA
Miley Cyrus performs onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Michael Tran—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus hosts the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.
Miley Cyrus hosts the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Michael Tran—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus performs on Saturday Night Live in New York City on Oct. 3, 2015.
Miley Cyrus performs on Saturday Night Live in New York City on Oct. 3, 2015.Dana Edelson—Getty Images
Honoree Miley Cyrus accepts the Vanguard Award at the Los Angeles LGBT Center 46th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards on Nov. 7, 2015 in Century City, Calif.
Honoree Miley Cyrus accepts the Vanguard Award at the Los Angeles LGBT Center 46th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards on Nov. 7, 2015 in Century City, Calif.Joe Scarnici—Getty Images
Miley Cyrus on The Voice on Feb. 4, 2016.
Miley Cyrus on The Voice on Feb. 4, 2016. Trae Patton—Getty Images

Other big stars could have taken a lesson from Cyrus. Two years ago, the VMAs were widely promoted around the idea that Gaga and Perry, both promoting new albums, were in a “chart battle” of sorts. Their performances, buttressing the ceremony, were meant to be the point of a show that Cyrus stole with a specific awareness of the degree to which young people (and people) respond to boundaries being pushed. Whether her new album will live up to fan expectations remains to be seen, but once again, Cyrus has forced the culture to catch up with her.

See Celebrities on the Red Carpet at MTV's 2015 VMAs

2015 MTV Video Music Awards Miley Cyrus
Host Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—;Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jason MerrittGetty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Taylor Swift Bad Blood
From left: Models Gigi Hadid, Martha Hunt, actress Hailee Steinfeld, model Cara Delevingne, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, model Serayah, Mariska Hargitay, models Lily Aldridge and Karlie Kloss attend the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Rita Ora arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
From left: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet
Kylie Jenner arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Justin Bieber arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Britney Spears arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Tyga arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
FKA twigs arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Austin Butler attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015, in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
From left: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Pharrell
From left: Model Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Kourtney Kardashian arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Kris Jenner arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Holland Roden
Holland Roden arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Rebel Wilson arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music AwardsEmily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jordan Strauss—Invision/AP
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Melissa Rivers
Melissa Rivers arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Brooklyn Beckham
Brooklyn Beckham arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet Brandi Cyrus
Actress Brandi Cyrus, sister of host Miley Cyrus, attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet
Singer Tori Kelly arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Maria Menounos
Maria Menounos arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Jeremy Scott
Designer Jeremy Scott arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards Miguel
Miguel attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet
From left: Blac Chyna and Amber Rose arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Larry Busacca—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Internet personality Baddie Winkle arrives at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
From left: Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy arrive at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Actress Kat Graham attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
Kat Graham attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Musician Vance Joy attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
Vance Joy attends the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Aug. 30, 2015 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images

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