Honestly, walking onto the Studio 8H stage is basically a death trap for most artists. You’re either too stiff, too quiet, or the mix makes you sound like you’re singing inside a tin can. But Miley Cyrus? She’s different. When we look back at every SNL Miley Cyrus performance, it’s clear she treats that stage like her own living room—just with more sequins and a much higher stakes audience.
Her most recent appearance for the SNL 50: The Anniversary Celebration in February 2025 was no exception. It was peak Miley. She didn't just sing; she caused a full-blown internet meltdown.
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The Performance Everyone Is Still Arguing About
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the purple Gucci sequined dress in the room. For the SNL 50th special, Miley teamed up with Brittany Howard and The Roots to cover "Nothing Compares 2 U."
It was a tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor.
The choice was... bold. Sinéad and Saturday Night Live have a history that is, put lightly, radioactive. We all remember the 1992 photo-ripping incident. By choosing that specific song on that specific stage, Miley wasn't just doing a cover. She was poking a very old, very famous bruise.
Some people loved the grit. They loved how Miley’s raspy, rock-inflected belt meshed with Howard’s soulful power. But if you scroll through Reddit or X, you’ll see plenty of purists who thought it was "messy." There were rumors of missed chords and a vocal mix that didn't quite sit right.
Miley's response? According to insiders, she thought she killed it. And honestly? She kind of did. She stayed true to her 2025 "goth-rock" era, rocking a hime cut and a shearling boa that made her look like a high-fashion rock star from the future.
Why Miley and SNL Just Work
Miley has been on the show 11 times. Think about that.
She’s hosted, she’s been the musical guest, and she’s pulled "double duty" more than once. Most stars look terrified during the monologue. Miley looks like she’s about to tell a secret.
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- The 2013 Redemption: Back when everyone was clutching their pearls over her VMA twerking, she showed up on SNL and mocked herself. She played Michele Bachmann in a "We Can’t Stop" parody. It was the moment she proved she was in on the joke.
- The 2021 Mother’s Day Special: Who could forget her covering her godmother Dolly Parton’s "Light of a Clear Blue Morning"? She brought her mom, Tish, on stage. It was raw, it was sweet, and it reminded everyone that behind the "Bangerz" and the "Plastic Hearts," she has one of the best voices in the business.
- The "Flowers" Call-Out: During the SNL 50th "Homecoming Concert" at Radio City, she actually stopped mid-song to yell at the celebrity-filled audience. "Are y'all doing that Grammys thing where you guys are famous and s--- and you don't sing along?" she asked. Classic Miley. She doesn't care if Paul Rudd is in the front row; she wants you to participate.
The Evolution of the SNL Miley Cyrus Performance
If you watch her performances chronologically, you’re essentially watching the history of 21st-century pop. You go from the "Hannah Montana" transition era to the psychedelic "Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz" phase (remember the flamingos and the glitter for "Karen Don't Be Sad"?).
Then came the rock pivot.
Her 2021 performance of "Plastic Hearts" is widely considered one of the best musical guest spots of the last decade. She wasn't hiding behind backup dancers or flashy pyrotechnics. It was just a woman, a microphone, and a lot of attitude.
What Critics Get Wrong
People love to say Miley is "too much." They say her SNL 50 tribute was "disrespectful" because of Sinéad's history with the show.
But here’s the thing: Miley Cyrus is a student of music history. She knows exactly what Sinéad O’Connor meant to the industry. By performing that song, she was reclaiming the space for a woman who was once exiled from it. It was a messy, loud, imperfect tribute—which is exactly what rock and roll is supposed to be.
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How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going back to watch the SNL Miley Cyrus performance archives, don’t just look at the singing. Watch the sketches.
She is a surprisingly good actress. Her "The Miley Cyrus Show" sketches with Vanessa Bayer are legendary for a reason. Most celebrities would be offended by someone parodying them that hard. Miley just jumped in and played the fan club president.
Pro-tip for fans: If you want the best audio, skip the YouTube rips and go straight to Peacock or the official SNL site. The 2025 performances, especially the one with Brittany Howard, have been "re-mixed" in some digital versions to fix those "sour notes" the internet was complaining about.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Miley Experience
If you want to dive deeper into why her SNL appearances matter, here is what you should do:
- Compare the Covers: Watch her 2020 "At Home" version of Pink Floyd’s "Wish You Were Here" and then watch the 2025 "Nothing Compares 2 U." You’ll see how much her lower register has developed.
- Check the Credits: Look for the name Maxx Morando. Her boyfriend and collaborator has been heavily involved in her musical direction lately, and you can hear his influence in the more "goth-rock" arrangements she’s bringing to the SNL stage.
- Track the Fashion: Miley uses SNL to debut new "eras." Her 2025 Jean Paul Gaultier suit-dress wasn't just a costume; it was a signal that the "Endless Summer Vacation" era is over and something darker is coming.
Miley Cyrus doesn't just "do" SNL. She uses it as a playground. Whether she’s making fun of her own "twerk" era or paying tribute to a fallen legend, she ensures that nobody—not even the stars in the front row—can look away.