They were sitting on an inflatable green couch, surrounded by plastic mushrooms, wearing animal onesies. Miley was a unicorn. Ariana was a "bear-mouse." It’s one of the most iconic images of 2010s pop culture, but it wasn't a high-budget music video. It was just a backyard in Los Angeles.
Honestly, the connection between Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande is one of the few celebrity friendships that doesn't feel like a PR stunt. Most "collabs" you see today are basically just legal contracts signed by managers who want to maximize streaming numbers. But with these two? It’s different. They’ve been through the absolute ringer of child stardom—one at Disney, one at Nickelodeon—and emerged as the last two titans standing.
The Onesie Performance That Changed Everything
If you search for miley cyrus with ariana grande, the first thing that probably pops up is their 2015 cover of Crowded House’s "Don’t Dream It’s Over." This was part of Miley’s Backyard Sessions to support her Happy Hippie Foundation.
It was raw. It was slightly pitchy in the best way. And it was hilarious.
At one point, Miley gets so distracted flirting with Ariana that she misses her cue. She literally stops the song to ask Ariana if she’s a mouse or a bear. Ariana, looking genuinely flustered, laughs it off. Miley later admitted in a 2023 TikTok series that she was "flirting with her and she was a little scared."
That moment has racked up over 114 million views. Why? Because it showed two of the most powerful vocalists in the world just... hanging out. No Auto-Tune. No choreographed dancing. Just a unicorn and a bear-mouse trying to remember the lyrics.
One Love Manchester: When Friendship Became a Lifeline
Fast forward to 2017. The vibe changed from playful to heavy.
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After the horrific bombing at Ariana’s concert in Manchester, the world watched to see if she would ever perform again. When she announced the One Love Manchester benefit, Miley was one of the first people she called.
Seeing them perform "Don't Dream It's Over" again on that massive stage was different. The "bear-mouse" and "unicorn" were gone. They were grown women now, holding hands in front of 50,000 people, using their voices to heal a city. Miley also performed "Happy" with Pharrell that night, but the duet with Ariana was the emotional anchor.
Miley has said repeatedly that Ariana is a "real friend." What does that mean in Hollywood? It means when Miley asks for something important, Ariana shows up. Every. Single. Time.
The 2025 Golden Globes Reunion
People always ask: "Are they still friends?"
The answer came loud and clear at the 82nd and 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards. Just a few days ago, on January 11, 2026, the internet basically broke when Selena Gomez posted a fan edit comparing herself, Miley, and Ariana to the Powerpuff Girls.
At the 2025 ceremony, Miley (nominated for her work on The Last Showgirl) and Ariana (there for Wicked) were caught on camera sharing a massive hug and a long chat on the red carpet. They weren't just posing. They were whispering and laughing like they were back on that inflatable couch.
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Why the "Don’t Call Me Angel" Era Was Weird
We have to talk about the 2019 collab with Lana Del Rey.
On paper, "Don't Call Me Angel" was a guaranteed #1 hit. You had the three biggest female stars of the moment doing a song for the Charlie's Angels reboot. But if you look at the fans' reactions, it’s kinda polarizing.
- The Contrast: Ariana’s high-frequency pop didn't perfectly mesh with Lana’s "sad girl" cinematic vibe.
- Miley’s Verse: Miley brought a gritty, rock-infused energy that many felt saved the track.
- The Music Video: They looked like they were having fun, but the chemistry felt a bit more "produced" than their backyard sessions.
Even though the song was a commercial success, it highlighted how much better Miley and Ariana work when they aren't trying to fit into a movie's marketing machine. Their best work happens when it's stripped back.
Real Talk: The "Rivalry" That Never Was
The media loves a good catfight. For years, tabloids tried to pit the Disney girl against the Nickelodeon girl. They looked for "shades" in lyrics and analyzed who followed who on Instagram.
But they failed.
The reality is that Miley and Ariana have a "survivor" bond. They both navigated the transition from teen idols to serious artists. Miley went through the Bangerz era rebellion; Ariana went through the intense scrutiny of her personal life and the Manchester tragedy.
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Miley told Howard Stern back in 2018 that she doesn't do "fake" celebrity friendships. She said if she sees something crazy in the news about Ariana, she doesn't tweet about it—she texts her privately to make sure she's okay. That's a level of maturity you don't often see in the pop world.
What’s Next for the Duo?
In early 2026, rumors started swirling about a potential joint project. While nothing is confirmed (don't believe every "leak" on X), the timing is perfect.
Ariana is currently riding the massive wave of the Wicked films, and Miley is in her "Flowers" victory lap era. They are both at the peak of their vocal abilities. A full-length acoustic album or a joint "Unplugged" special would likely be the biggest music event of the year.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 2015 Backyard Sessions again: Pay attention to the bridge of the song where they start talking; it's the most authentic look at their dynamic.
- Check out the 2026 Golden Globes photos: Look for the "Powerpuff Girls" post by Selena Gomez to see how the three of them are supporting each other these days.
- Listen to Miley’s "Used To Be Young" series: She breaks down the "Don't Dream It's Over" performance in detail and explains why Ariana is one of her favorite people in the industry.
Stop looking for drama where there isn't any. Miley and Ariana aren't rivals; they’re the blueprint for how to stay friends in a business designed to tear people apart.