You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve probably seen the TikToks where fans are practically begging for a "Miley’s Version" of Bangerz. But when it comes to the question of miley cyrus who owns my, things get messy. Really messy. Most people think "owning" music is a simple yes-or-no thing. It isn't.
Honestly, the music industry is designed to be a labyrinth. For an artist like Miley, who has been in the game since she was literally a child, the "ownership" of her songs is spread across multiple corporations, old Disney contracts, and new high-powered deals. If you're looking for a simple "she owns it all," I've got some bad news. But if you want to know who is actually cashing the checks when you stream "Flowers" or "Party in the U.S.A.," let’s get into the weeds.
The Disney Days: Who Owns the Hannah Montana Era?
Let’s go back to the beginning. When Miley was under the mouse ears, she was signed to Hollywood Records and Walt Disney Records. This is the era of "See You Again" and "7 Things."
Basically, Disney owns that stuff. 100%.
They own the masters (the actual recordings) of those early albums. This is why you see so many Disney-era songs used in commercials or theme park promos without Miley having much of a say. There’s been a lot of talk lately about Miley re-recording her old hits—kinda like Taylor Swift—especially since 2026 marks some major anniversaries for the franchise. While she could technically re-record some of these tracks if her "re-recording restriction" periods have expired, Disney still holds the keys to the originals.
✨ Don't miss: Enrique Iglesias Height: Why Most People Get His Size Totally Wrong
The RCA Pivot and the Bangerz Rights
In 2013, Miley made a massive jump to RCA Records (a subsidiary of Sony Music). This was the Bangerz era. Think "Wrecking Ball" and "We Can't Stop."
Under this deal, RCA/Sony owns the masters for:
- Bangerz (2013)
- Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz (2015 - though this was an independent-style release, Sony still has distribution ties)
- Younger Now (2017)
- Plastic Hearts (2020)
When people ask miley cyrus who owns my, specifically regarding her mid-career hits, the answer is Sony Music Entertainment. Miley was famously frustrated with RCA during the promotion of Plastic Hearts, even hinting on social media that the label wasn't getting the physical albums into stores. That tension is likely why she jumped ship.
The Columbia Era: Did She Finally Get Control?
In 2021, Miley signed a major deal with Columbia Records. This was a lateral move within the Sony family, but the terms were very different. Her first album with them, Endless Summer Vacation, was a global juggernaut.
🔗 Read more: Elisabeth Harnois: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Relationship Status
Here’s where it gets interesting. Modern deals for superstars often include "licensing" agreements rather than the label owning the masters forever. While the exact details of Miley's Columbia contract are private, it is widely believed in the industry that she has significantly more leverage—and potentially a path to ownership—for her newer work like "Flowers."
The Lawsuit: "Flowers" vs. Bruno Mars
We can't talk about ownership without mentioning the legal drama. In 2024 and 2025, a company called Tempo Music Investments sued Miley, claiming "Flowers" ripped off Bruno Mars’ "When I Was Your Man."
This case is a masterclass in how fragmented ownership is. Tempo Music doesn't even own the whole Bruno Mars song; they bought a fractional share from one of the co-writers. Miley’s legal team tried to get the case tossed by arguing that a part-owner shouldn't be allowed to sue her. In March 2025, a judge basically said, "Actually, they can."
This lawsuit highlights why "ownership" is so complicated. Even if Miley "owns" her side of a song, another entity can claim a piece of it through copyright law. It’s a constant battle of defense.
💡 You might also like: Don Toliver and Kali Uchis: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
What About the Publishing?
There are two sides to every song: the Master (the recording) and the Publishing (the lyrics and melody).
Miley is a writer on most of her songs. This means even if Sony owns the recording of "Wrecking Ball," she still owns a portion of the songwriting. Every time that song is played on the radio, covered by another artist, or used in a movie, Miley gets a "writer’s share" check. She hasn't sold her publishing catalog yet—unlike artists like Katy Perry or Justin Bieber—which is a huge power move. It means she still has a seat at the table for how her songs are used.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Investors
If you're trying to figure out how to support Miley or understand the value of her "brand," keep these points in mind:
- Check the Label: If you want to support her most "independent" feeling work, look at her Columbia Records releases (2021-present).
- The Re-recording Rumors: Keep an eye on the trades. If Miley announces a "re-imagined" project, it’s a sign she’s trying to reclaim the value of her Disney-era masters.
- Publishing is King: As long as Miley keeps her publishing rights, she remains one of the wealthiest and most influential women in music. She doesn't need to "own" the MP3 to own the legacy.
Basically, the answer to miley cyrus who owns my depends on the year the song was recorded. She's moving toward total independence, but the road back to 2006 is still paved with Disney gold.
The best way to stay updated on her ownership status is to follow the filings of Smiley Miley, Inc., which is her personal corporate entity used for her business ventures. As contracts expire and she continues to dominate the charts, don't be surprised if she eventually buys back her early work to settle the score for good.