Was Miley Cyrus subjected to sexism at VMAs for ‘wanting to be treated like a guy’? Fans slam ‘toxic industry’
Singer Miley Cyrus gave a stunning performance at the MTV VMAs 2020, as she owned the stage with her ‘Midnight Sky’ performance, and fans couldn't stop gushing over her ‘Wrecking Ball’ reference. Cyrus opened about an ‘embarrassing’ incident during the performance while making an appearance on Joe Rogan's ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast.
In the podcast, the singer says that the lighting of the room was supposed to be “lighting her” and she didn't want the beauty light. She explains, “Beauty light is always used on women and I said, ‘Turn the f**king lights off. You would never tell Travis Scott or Adam Levine that he couldn’t turn the beauty light off’. I just want the red lighting. The same thing that we do with the guys – that’s exactly what I want.” She continued, “My bracelets kept getting caught and they said, ‘You want to be treated like a guy we wouldn’t be dealing with this if a guy was doing this’.” She added, “I said a guy wouldn’t be doing this because a guy doesn’t sell your show with sex, the way I am going to. I am aware of that.” The host was talking about the boundaries of her ‘music persona’ among other things Cyrus narrated. She added that she has been learning a lot about lighting through directors and would want to write and direct in the future.
Rogan enquired, “You were having these conversations with the directors?” to which she responded affirmatively. Rogan added, “That’s a ridiculous conversation.” To which Cyrus said, “It is also embarrassing.” She even said that she was asked, “How long is glam gonna take?” Cyrus elucidated that she loves pop culture and escapism, and the VMAs is a pop culture show and that’s why she wanted her fans to experience ‘escapism’ – especially during these times.
When asked how does she get things done according to her vision, Cyrus said by balancing being firm and kind. Cyrus stated, “I don’t lose my kindness but I am firm about what I want.” She also said that she might be labeled a ‘diva’ or ‘bi**h’ but if The Weeknd or Kanye West did it, they would be called ‘creative god’. Then she explained that this is one of the reasons why she directed her own video.
Pop Crave shared that one particular bit about the VMAs on Twitter and wrote: “Miley Cyrus tells Joe Rogan the directors for her #VMAs performance made disrespectful comments after she asked to be treated like a guy: ‘They said, ‘you want to be treated and lit like a guy, we wouldn’t be dealing with this if a guy was doing it.’”
Miley Cyrus tells Joe Rogan the directors for her #VMAs performance made disrespectful comments after she asked to be treated like a guy:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 3, 2020
“They said, ‘you want to be treated and lit like a guy, we wouldn’t be dealing with this if a guy was doing it.’” pic.twitter.com/XiF5zgnnnv
Twitter weighed in on this revelation, as one user commented, “This is absolutely disgusting. Miley deserves such much better like queen Shakira.”
this is absolutely disgusting. miley deserves such much better like queen Shakira.
— the dead pet🐺 sila prieto stan (@thedeadpet) September 3, 2020
Another added, “Misogyny is really the problem in this world.”
Misogyny is really the problem in this world pic.twitter.com/AWNHSsdFkB
— TRICONIC 가가와 🧚♀️ (@sourcannedyx) September 3, 2020
“The fact that these males behind the scenes treat female artists who are giving their show ratings and support like this just proves how sexist and toxic this industry still is,” wrote a user.
The fact that these males behind the scenes treat female artists who are giving their show ratings and support like this just proves how sexist and toxic this industry still is.
— Jerry (@JerryT0ThisTay) September 3, 2020
One fan said, “I’m so sorry that happened to you Miley- you did amazing at the vmas!!!! We see your hard work and we appreciate every moment.”
I’m so sorry that happened to you Miley- you did amazing at the vmas!!!! We see your hard work and we appreciate every moment
— Love, Millie- inactive, wake me for Madonna (@snagglesthebat) September 3, 2020
Another fan said, “Loved when she talked about directors thinking if girls share their opinion about a project they are called 'divas' but when it comes to a man, they think he is so creative and know what he wants, so unfair.”
loved when she talked about directors thinking if girls share their opinion about a project they are called "divas" but when it comes to a man, they think he is so creative and know what he wants, so unfair.
— needy nostalgia. (@prettyunholy) September 3, 2020
In the podcast, as reported by Elle, Cyrus also opened up about her divorce without mentioning Liam Hemsworth. She said, “I recently just went through a very public divorce that f**king sucked.” She continued, “What really sucked about it wasn't the fact that me and someone that I loved realized that we don't love each other the way that we used to anymore. That’s okay. I can accept that.” Cyrus added, “I can't accept the villainizing and all those stories that like—it's just amazing to me that the public kind of thinks that there's no gap of time that they didn't see that could possibly be what led to this. Like it’s not 'one day you were happy on the carpet and the next day you were making out with your friend in Italy! What the f**k?' Well, there was a lot of time between that that you didn't see—it didn’t go. I didn't, you know.”