Miley Cyrus' 2013 VMA: Shocking Performance & Bangerz Era | Relive It Now

Was 2013 the year Miley Cyrus truly broke free?

It's a statement that, for many, still resonates: 2013 belonged to Miley Cyrus. That year, the former Disney star shed her past and, in a blaze of controversy and reinvention, redefined pop culture.

Miley Cyrus's performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards remains etched in the collective memory. The stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on August 25th, 2013, was set for an unforgettable spectacle. The world watched with bated breath as the pop singer, making her debut at the VMAs, delivered a duet performance with singer Robin Thicke that sparked both media frenzy and widespread public scrutiny. This wasn't just a performance; it was a cultural moment, a turning point that would forever alter perceptions of the artist.

The performance of "We Can't Stop" was a precursor, setting the stage for the more provocative moments to come. However, it was the duet with Robin Thicke that truly ignited the firestorm. The now-infamous foam finger, the suggestive dance moves these elements combined to create a moment that dominated headlines and social media feeds, becoming a symbol of the transformation Cyrus was undergoing. Almost five years after the event, the media and public were still talking about the show, and it remains unforgettable.

Cyrus's metamorphosis wasn't merely cosmetic; it was a complete artistic overhaul. Having spent years under the constraints of her "Hannah Montana" persona, she dismantled her previous image and embraced a more mature, boundary-pushing persona. This act of reinvention was, in large part, driven by necessity. The desire to escape the trappings of her past and to establish herself as a serious artist. The 2013 VMAs were the grand unveiling of this new Miley Cyrus.

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on that Sunday, August 25th, offered a platform for this evolution. While other artists like Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, and Lorde had their moments, it was Miley Cyrus who ultimately commanded the narrative, dominating the conversation and, arguably, the year. The singer had already established a reputation for shocking the crowds, she "stole Gagas outrageous performance crown" with the 2013 VMA performance.

The fourth studio album, "Bangerz," released in October 2013, was the culmination of this transformation. The album, released through RCA Records, topped charts in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Tracks like "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball" became anthems, further solidifying Cyrus's position in the pop landscape.

In January 2013, Cyrus parted ways with Hollywood Records. She then signed with RCA Records, a move that signaled her commitment to a new musical direction. The decision allowed her to embrace a more mature sound, and it came to fruition in October 2013, with the release of "Bangerz" and also with her performance at the 2013 VMA.

The controversy surrounding the performance overshadowed, to a degree, the other achievements of the night. Justin Timberlake, for example, was a major winner, taking home four awards, including Video of the Year for "Mirrors" and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. But the next morning, it was Miley Cyrus who was on everyone's lips, the subject of countless memes, think pieces, and water-cooler conversations.

The spectacle, while divisive, was undeniably impactful. The event generated an enormous amount of publicity, cementing Cyrus's new image and reigniting interest in her music. The event was a daring assertion of artistic freedom and a gamble that paid off, launching Cyrus into a new phase of her career.

The VMAs, hosted at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, presented a remarkable moment of change and artistic evolution. The year 2013 became synonymous with Miley Cyrus's name. Her commitment to artistic reinvention, and her knack for generating headlines had a clear impact on the music industry and pop culture as a whole. The show became a cornerstone of her career. Her intergalactic quest to save her beloved teddy bears from captivity was set to her 2013 VMA performance of "We Can't Stop". The 2013 VMA and "Bangerz" are both part of cementing her new image. More than just a performance, it was a statement. And it worked.

Leading the nominees were Justin Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, with six nominations each, followed by Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, and Robin Thicke with four nominations. As the world continued to comment on the show, there was no doubt that Miley Cyrus had truly owned 2013.

Related: ["Born in 1994, bieber won\u2019t even be 30 until 2024.","If you roll it back to 2010, that means justin bieber was only 16 when \u201cbaby\u201d launched his career to new heights.","Baby is a song by canadian singer justin bieber featuring american rapper ludacris.","It was released as the lead single on bieber's debut studio album, my world 2.0.","When justin bieber sang \u201cbaby,\u201d he was just 15 years old.","This popular song was released on january 18, 2010, and considering that bieber was born on march 1, 1994, he was approximately 15 years and 11 months old when he recorded this track.","Bieber was only 15 years old when the debut album was released, consisting of his famous song baby that shocked the world.","His song baby was relased on january 18 2010.","He has secured his place on the billboard hot 100 since the release of 2009 single.","Also who first said never say never?","Justin bieber\u2019s rise to fame began with a series of unforgettable hits, but one song that truly set the stage for his superstardom was \u201cbaby.\u201d released on january 18, 2010, and recorded in 2009, the song is now 15 years old and remains a cornerstone of bieber\u2019s legacy.","How old was justin bieber when he sang baby?","Justin bieber was merely 15 years old when he recorded his first hit single, \u201cbaby\u201d ft.","Ludacris in 2009, at the triangle sound studios the ludaplex","Up to 4k!official music video for baby performed by justin bieber (ft.","He was 16 when the song released.","He was recording music until he was 15 or so.so it was over the age of 13","Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on youtube.","We would like to show you a description here but the site won\u2019t allow us.","Justin bieber is celebrating 10 years of \u201cbaby\u2026 baby, baby!\u201d saturday (january 18) marked a whole decade since the biebs released his smash hit single \u201cbaby,\u201d which debuted back on january 18, 2010.","Bieber, who was just 14 years old when he released the record, shared a subtle tribute on instagram to honor of one of the greatest hits","Ludacris admitted to mtv news that he had to dig deep to come up with lyrics appropriate for justin's song.","He's talking about [how] he's mad that his girl left him and he still cares for her, he said.","Facts about \u201cbaby\u201d \u201cbaby\u201d was released as the lead single from the justin bieber\u2019s debut album, my world 2.0.this album also contains bieber\u2019s autobiographical track \u201cwhere are you now\u201c.","He was raised by his christian single mother pattie mallette, who became pregnant at the age of seventeen.","His father is jeremy bieber.","He got engaged to hailey bieber in july of 2018 and the two secretly tied the knot two months later","Justin bieber is 29 years old as of 2023.","How old was justin bieber when he sang 'baby'?","Bieber, who was a mere 14 years old when he unveiled the track, posted an understated tribute on","Justin bieber has been famous in the music industry for over a decade, and his debut single one time is the song that started it all.","Bieber was discovered by usher and scooter braun after he began sharing covers of songs on youtube.","Usher helped mold justin bieber into the musical artist he is today, and even got him a record deal.","Justin bieber old songs list:","A walk down memory lane.","Let\u2019s get into the heart of this blog:","The justin bieber old songs list.","These songs made history, broke records, and gave us all major feels.","Here are some of his most unforgettable tracks:","Baby (2010) if you were around in 2010, you\u2019ll remember the absolute craze that \u201cbaby","I still can\u2019t believe that this was the most disliked video on youtube until like 2018.","Like why did people hate this song so much compared to all of the other pop songs at the time.","People aren\u2019t too hot on yummy today but public reaction was even worse w baby imo.","Grown ass men were making fun of a 16 year old for literally anything","One time is the debut single by canadian singer justin bieber.","It is the lead single from his debut ep, my world (2009).","It was first solicited to mainstream and rhythmic radio on may 18, 2009.","Justin\u2019s parents, who were both 18 years old at the time of their son\u2019s birth, were never married and broke up soon after he was born.","Getty images justin bieber with his mom, pattie mallette","Hit justin bieber song featuring ludacris from bieber's debut album.","The song reached #1 in france and charted in the top 10 in several other countries.","Bieber was just 15 years old when the music video was released.","Justin bieber, who turned 16 three weeks earlier, releases his debut album, my world 2.0, with the hit baby.the album debuts at #1, setting the stage for a massive tour and 3d concert film, justin bieber:","Born march 1, 1994) [2] [3] is a canadian singer.","[4] [5] he was discovered by record executive scooter braun in 2008 and subsequently brought to the united states by singer usher, both of whom formed the record label rbmg records to sign bieber in october of that"] | ["Justin bieber was merely 15 years old when he recorded his first hit single, \u201cbaby\u201d ft.","Ludacris in 2009, at the triangle sound studios the ludaplex in atlanta, georgia.","Up to 4k!official music video for baby performed by justin bieber (ft.","In october 2013, he released a sequel to 'never say never\u2019, a biographical concert film titled 'justin bieber's believe'.","Justin bieber is celebrating 10 years of \u201cbaby\u2026 baby, baby!\u201d saturday (january 18) marked a whole decade since the biebs released his smash hit single \u201cbaby,\u201d which debuted back on january 18, 2010.","Bieber, who was just 14 years old when he released the record, shared a subtle tribute on instagram to honor of one of the greatest hits","The day bieber fever caught fire:","Justin bieber's baby turns 10 he had just released his first single, one time, which debuted at no.","95 on billboard's hot 100.","\u201cbaby\u201d was released as the lead single from the justin bieber\u2019s debut album, my world 2.0.","This album also contains bieber\u2019s autobiographical track \u201c where are you now \u201c.","The young age of 16 when justin bieber released baby played a pivotal role in shaping the song's impact and his subsequent career.","Bieber's youthful appearance and voice resonated with teenage audiences, propelling him to teen idol status.","Born in 1994, bieber won\u2019t even be 30 until 2024.","If you roll it back to 2010, that means justin bieber was only 16 when \u201cbaby\u201d launched his career to new heights.","Baby is a song by canadian singer justin bieber featuring american rapper ludacris.","It was released as the lead single on bieber's debut studio album, my world 2.0.","When justin bieber sang \u201cbaby,\u201d he was just 15 years old.","This popular song was released on january 18, 2010, and considering that bieber was born on march 1, 1994, he was approximately 15 years and 11 months old when he recorded this track.","Faqs about justin bieber\u2019s baby song.","Who wrote the song baby?","How old was justin bieber when he released baby?","Justin bieber was just 15 years old when the song came out.","Why is baby so iconic?","Released on january 18, 2010, and recorded in 2009, the song is now 15 years old and remains a cornerstone of bieber\u2019s legacy.","Justin bieber was born on march 1, 1994.","The song 'baby' was released on january 18, 2010.","So, he was 15 years, 10 months, 17 days when he sung the song 'baby'.","Justin bieber's age at the release of 'baby' is not just a numerical detail but a testament to his early success.","This part of the guide explores the milestones and achievements bieber attained at such a young age, emphasizing the impact of his breakthrough track.","Last year, justin was forced to cancel the remaining dates of his justice world tour","About justin bieber justin bieber.","Pop singer justin bieber was born in london, canada on march 1, 1994.","He's 31 years old today.","Pop phenomenon whose 2010 youtube single song baby became an international hit catapulted him to stardom.","His debut album, my world 2.0, debuted at number one on the billboard 200 in the united states and went on","Justin bieber was born as \u2018justin drew bieber \u2018 on tuesday, march 1, 1994 (age 30 years;","As of 2024) in the london city of canada.justin was raised in stratford, ontario.","While bieber was recording his debut album he released his first single \u201cone time\u201d on the radio.","The album was on the canadian hot 100 during its first week of release.","In 2009, the song was a great success in international markets and reached 17 on the billboard hot 100 chart in the us and was also certified platinum in both us and canada.","In october 2010, bieber released his first book, justin bieber:","My story, an autobiography with text from bieber and photographs from robert caplin.","Never say never, was released on february 11, 2011, directed by step up 3d director jon m.","In october 2013, he released a sequel to 'never say never\u2019, a biographical concert film titled 'justin bieber's believe'.","Justin bieber had a dog, named, sammy in the past.","Justin bieber was discovered on youtube by scooter braun.","His mother used to post bieber\u2019s videos on youtube and soon he became popular there.","As of 2019, justin bieber had sold over 150 million records.","The followers of justin bieber are called","Bieber\u2019s first single \u201cone time\u201d was released on the radio when he was still recording the album.","It reached at number 10 on canadian hot list and surged to number 17 on billboards hot 100.","It reached at number 10 on canadian hot list and surged to number 17 on billboards hot 100.","Justin bieber is a canadian pop singer who rose to fame with his breakout hit baby in 2010.","He has since become one of the world's most popular music acts, selling millions of albums and singles worldwide.","Justin bieber released the single \u2018baby\u2019.","It reached number 3 in canada, number 3 in the uk and number 5 in the us charts.","He was 16 when the song released.","He was recording music until he was 15 or so.so it was over the age of 13","Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on youtube.","Bieber\u2019s celebration comes two weeks after he released his new track \u201cyummy\u201d \u2014 the first single he\u2019s dropped in four years.","Bieber also recently revealed that he has been quietly","Justin bieber was born on march 1, 1994, he is 31 years old as of 2025.","Justin\u2019s parents, jeremy jack bieber and pattie mallette, were both 18 years old when he was born but separated shortly after."] | ["A photo of bon iver\u2019s justin vernon and actress cristin milioti holding a baby has led to fan speculation about a possible personal connection or hidden meaning in the band's new visual material.","Justin vernon\u2019s mysterious love life:","The truth about bon iver\u2019s \u2018wife\u2019 rumors.","In 2020, a new girlfriend name entered the conversation:","Seraya berkovich, a creative director and photographer who had been quietly appearing in vernon\u2019s orbit since at least 2015.","The images are believed to be part of a creative concept for bon iver's new album sable, fable.","Justin vernon has publicly stated that he does not have a wife or children, but has revealed it's","Justin vernon\u2019s new bon iver album sable, fable is out now.","\u201cboohoo, i thought i\u2019d have kids and a wife and like, that kind of love in my life.","But i have my health.","In this article, we will unravel the details surrounding bon iver's wife, exploring her background, their relationship, and how she has impacted justin's career and personal life.","In the winter of 2006, justin vernon entered his father's wisconsin cabin a lost and broken man.","Bon iver fans are confused after a photograph showing band leader justin vernon and actor cristin milioti with a baby has been shared on social media by a record store.","Emma is the wife of musician justin vernon, best known as the frontman of the indie folk band bon iver.","The couple has been together for several years, and their relationship has been fairly private.","The first bon iver album, \u201cfor emma, forever ago,\u201d was a nearly solitary work.","Vernon wrote and recorded it after the breakup of both his longtime band and a relationship, in his father","Since the album very bluntly \u2014 and poetically, and hauntingly \u2014 details the dissolution of her marriage and quite possibly the rekindling of romance with justin vernon, who records as bon iver","Today marks 15 years since bon iver released for emma, forever ago.","Justin vernon, the enigmatic frontman of the popular indie folk band bon iver, has captivated audiences worldwide with his haunting melodies and profound lyrics.","While much attention is given to his musical career, the life of justin vernon\u2019s wife remains a mystery to many fans.","Who is she, and what role does she play in his life?","Despite being known for an album done in isolation, bon iver has dueted with some pretty famous friends.","In 2010, west tapped bon iver to collaborate on several songs on the rapper's album my beautiful dark twister fantasy, including the song monster. bon iver also worked with st.","Vincent for a song that was featured in the second twilight movie.","Justin vernon\u2019s new bon iver album sable, fable is out now.","Last night (april 10), a wisconsin record store celebrated the release by noting they\u2019ll be giving out a few \u201cbehind the scenes","Bon iver, vernon said, is \u201ca sentiment\u201d more than a music project.","Vernon is regularly approached by fans who tell him how his music healed them.","**this product will only be available until nov 11 2025specific description:","Bon iver) was born in eau claire, wisconsin, united states.","He made his 5 million dollar fortune with bon iver, bon iver, de oro, all of us free.","The musician is dating kathleen edwards, his starsign is taurus and he is now 43 years of age.","But he\u2019s been doing a lot of press behind his extremely good new bon iver album sable, fable, as well as the one bazillion brand collaborations associated with the lp, and he hasn\u2019t said","But women in music pt.","But in november of 2007 i blogged about how much i was anticipating the debut album from wisconsin folkie bon iver.","Sung in falsetto, its lyrics are mostly incomprehensible, but always evocative;","We would like to show you a description here but the site won\u2019t allow us.","Bekannt wurde bon iver durch das 2008 ver\u00f6ffentlichte album for emma, forever ago, das vernon alleine in einer jagdh\u00fctte im us","Bon iver is the alias of justin vernon, a singer, songwriter, and producer from eau claire, wisconsin.","Since 2007, when vernon released \u201cfor emma, forever ago,\u201d his d\u00e9but lp as bon iver, he","Sean carey is an american musician from lake geneva, wisconsin, best known as the drummer and supporting vocalist of indie folk band bon iver.","In august 2010, carey released his first solo album, all we grow, which he began working on in 2008 during hiatuses from performing with the band.","Hello, at 57, i'm probably one of the older bon iver fans.","I live in australia and was lucky enough to be at that opera house concert with the staves back in 2016.","My question is shallow as hell, i'll admit, but sometimes i think about justin's relationships, like with kathleen edwards (who i love) and wonder if you think he might settle down","Justin vernon, the celebrated frontman of bon iver, is known for his soulful music and enigmatic persona.","While his music often takes center stage, there's a growing curiosity about his personal life, especially about justin vernon wife.","Fans and followers are eager to learn more about the person who shares his life and perhaps influences his art."]