Miley Cyrus checks her privilege on coronavirus’ devastation: ‘I have no idea what this pandemic is like’
Miley Cyrus has opened up about the coronavirus outbreak and insisted she has no clue about the pandemic's devastation because of the privilege that comes along with being a celebrity.
The 27-year-old former 'Hannah Montana' star talked about the crisis that has enveloped the world and how she's found an outlet to discuss that, as well as more, through her new Instagram live talk show 'Bright Minded.'
"This isn't Covid-19, what I'm experiencing. My life has been pushed pause on, but really I have no idea what this pandemic is like," she told the Wall Street Journal for its June cover story.
The 'Wrecking Ball' singer went on to admit that she is aware she is not witnessing the full scale of the pandemic because of her high social status and wealth.
"I am comfortable in my space and able to put food on my table and [I am] financially stable, and that's just not the story for a lot of people," she said, speaking from her California home.
Cyrus has been able to boast of celebrities of the ilk of Elton John, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, as well as politicians like Sen. Elizabeth Warren on her show so far and said she had been able to book the high-profile stars just by "sliding in" to their direct messages on social media.
She has had candid conversations about mental health and staying positive during these trying times but said she knows that many entertainers may be hesitant to participate because they did not want to come across as tone-deaf.
"I'm sure a lot of the hesitation for other people saying yes to doing the show is because it almost doesn't feel right for celebrities to share our experience. Because it just doesn't compare," she shared.
The 27-year-old may very well have been referring to how Gal Gadot and other A-listers like Natalie Portman, Amy Adams, and Zoe Kravitz were slammed for being "out of touch" on social media after they joined together to sing a version of John Lennon's 'Imagine.'
Many felt that the choosing 'Imagine,' which was released amidst the Vietnam war and whose lyrics encourage the listener to imagine a world at peace and consider the possibility of the entirety of humanity living without the attachment to material possessions, was inappropriate.
"I don't know how millionaires singing about 'no possessions' from their mansions is supposed to ease my anxiety," one user wrote.
"Just seen the celeb Imagine video and now coronavirus no longer scares me," another added sarcastically. "This is so cursed how did this even come to happen do they have a gc [group chat] and Gal Gadot was like hey you know what would lift everyone's spirits? An awkward rendition of Imagine."
Cyrus, on the other hand, has taken to social media to call people to be more thoughtful and kind during the pandemic.
"Be thoughtful. Respectful. Compassionate. HUMAN, while preparing for social distancing... NO ONE needs every soup in the store," she posted. "The more we hoard the more expensive and sparse necessities will become, leaving many without essentials. This is a great time to practice restraint... it’s incredibly difficult to make smart decisions while panicking but think twice before following the fear and being inconsiderate. There is enough to go around if we take care of one another. This is a beautiful time to LEAD!"