Miley Cyrus has a weird history with 30 Rock. Honestly, she’s grown up there. From a teen idol trying to shake off the Disney dust to a Grammy-winning rock star, the Miley Cyrus SNL performance timeline is basically a map of her entire life. But nothing—absolutely nothing—hit quite like her appearance for the show’s 50th anniversary.
It wasn't just another musical guest slot. It felt like a graduation.
The Sinead O’Connor Moment Nobody Saw Coming
If you’ve followed Miley for a decade, you know about the feud. Back in 2013, Sinead O'Connor wrote that famous open letter warning Miley about the music industry's "prostitution" of her image. Miley, being 20 and defensive, didn’t take it well.
Fast forward to February 2025.
Miley stood on that stage for the SNL50: The Anniversary Special and did the unthinkable. She covered "Nothing Compares 2 U." She didn't just sing it; she channeled it. Dressed in a custom purple Gucci sequined halter dress and a massive shearling boa, she turned the room into a cathedral.
It was a total olive branch. A public apology to a late legend.
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She teamed up with Brittany Howard, and let’s be real, that duo is dangerous. Their voices together? Pure gravel and soul. They also tore through Queen’s "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" during the Homecoming Concert on February 14th. Miley was slithering around in vintage Roberto Cavalli from the 2004 runway. She looked like she owned the place. Because, at this point, she kinda does.
The Spontaneity of Studio 8H
Most performers show up with a rigid plan. Not Miley.
Cydney McQuillan-Grace, one of the backup singers for the SNL50 shows, recently shared that Miley revamped her entire arrangement on the fly. They had about 40 minutes to prep. Miley walks in, decides to change the vibe, and everyone just has to keep up.
That’s the difference between a "pop star" and a musician.
She even called out Paul Rudd in the audience during "Flowers." "I love you Paul Rudd!" she shouted mid-song. It was chaotic. It was loud. It was exactly what Saturday Night Live is supposed to be.
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Remembering the "Wrecking Ball" Era
It’s easy to forget how much people hated her SNL appearances in the early 2010s. Remember 2013? The "Bangerz" era?
She pulled double duty as host and musical guest. People were genuinely worried she was having a breakdown. She performed "Wrecking Ball" and "We Can’t Stop," and the sketches were... a lot. There was that "Miley Cyrus Show" sketch where she met the "old" Miley (Vanessa Bayer) and basically told her the childhood version of her was dead.
It was uncomfortable. It was also genius marketing.
A Timeline of Evolution
Miley has been on that stage more times than most cast members. Look at the range:
- 2011: Her hosting debut. The "I'm Sorry That I'm Not Perfect" monologue. She was 18.
- 2013: The infamous VMA-aftermath episode. Total "double duty" chaos.
- 2015: The Dead Petz era. She performed "The Twinkle Song" solo and it was devastatingly raw.
- 2017: A Larry David-hosted episode where she went full country-pop with "Bad Mood."
- 2020: The "At Home" episode. Her cover of "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd was the only good thing about that lockdown month.
- 2021: Elon Musk hosted. She sang "Plastic Hearts" and "Without You" with The Kid LAROI.
Why the 2025 Performances Mattered
By the time the SNL 50th anniversary rolled around, Miley had three Grammys under her belt. She wasn't the girl trying to shock you anymore. She was the woman who had survived the shock.
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During the special, she reflected on her "detours." She told the audience she wouldn't change a thing. You could see it in her eyes during "Nothing Compares 2 U"—she’s at peace with the girl who licked the sledgehammer.
She even called out the celebrity-heavy crowd at Radio City for being too "famous" to sing along. "Are y'all doing that Grammys thing where you guys are famous and s--- and you don't sing along?" Classic Miley.
What to Watch Next
If you missed the SNL50 live broadcast, you need to find the clip of Miley and Brittany Howard. Specifically the Prince-penned Sinead cover. It’s a masterclass in vocal control.
Also, keep an eye on her 2026 fashion choices. She’s leaning hard into this "goth-rock" vintage archive look. She wore four different outfits over the SNL50 weekend, including that Jean Paul Gaultier suit-dress. It’s a clear sign that her next musical era is going to be darker, heavier, and probably involve a lot more leather.
To see the full impact of her growth, go back and watch her 2011 monologue right after watching her 2025 set. The voice is deeper. The confidence is quieter. She doesn't need the tongue-out gimmick anymore. The voice is enough.