Former Disney Star, Miley Cyrus, Takes Aim at Mickey Mouse in Latest Song

There are few former Disney stars with as controversial a past as singer Miley Cyrus. Britney Spears comes to mind, but Miley Cyrus has definitely had a troubled history since her Disney departure. The former lead of 2005’s Hannah Montana, alongside her real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus, hasn’t had the cleanest reputation upon her exit from the Disney Channel. Although her time on Hannah Montana explored a funnier side of Miley Cyrus, as she reached adulthood, some would say that she rebelled from the “good-girl image” that followed her during her time with Disney. Completely separating herself from Disney, Miley Cyrus made it known to the world that she wasn’t going to fit into her family-friendly persona anymore when she famously twerked alongside Robin Thicke at the 2013 VMAs following a topless cover shoot for Vanity Fair, and who could forget her nude music video for the hit song “Wrecking Ball?”

Although Cyrus has matured, now 30 years old, she has been very vocal about her relationship with Disney. Noting that she must have been one the least paid people working for Disney at one point and blaming Disney for an identity crisis after Hannah Montana was finished, Cyrus hasn’t had many nice things to say about the entertainment company or her time working with them. Interestingly enough, her husband Liam Hemsworth, who’s done some lesser-known work for Disney, has been less vocal about the company, presumably due to his brother, Chris Hemsworth’s, huge role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Credit: Disney

Drawing from the likes of Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus hasn’t exactly hidden from confrontation in the media. In fact, she’s embraced it as part of who she is. As her roles for Disney go way past Hannah Montana, including voicing Penny in Disney’s 2008 animated film Bolt and a brief cameo in High School Musical 2 (2007), the actress’ Disney influence is often the focal point of some of the brash and seemingly outlandish comments she has made. Cyrus is not above making a statement, even at Disney’s expense. 

Credit: D23

For this reason, fans are clamoring all over social media after a teaser for her upcoming single release, “Used to Be Young,” on Spotify featured the singer “taking back her Disney ears” by rocking a Mickey Mouse shirt. PageSix was quick to point out that many believe this is a nod to the singer’s time at Disney, and they expect some wild things to be referenced in the new single. The shirt in question was originally made in a collaborative effort between Disney and designers like Tommy Hilfiger to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. However, always controversial, Cyrus can be seen wearing a deconstructed version of the T-shirt under what looks like a red-sequined top.

Miley Cyrus wears a Disney Mickey Mouse shirt in Spotify teaser for her upcoming single ‘Used To Be Young.’ pic.twitter.com/UGmF4ZPzD4

— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 16, 2023

According to Pop Base and PageSix, the top is a one-of-a-kind item donated by Maison Margiela, who has been creating deconstructed looks as part of its “recicla” line since the Los Angeles-based company was founded in the 1980s. Despite the shirt or where it came from, fans who follow Miley Cyrus are certain that the Spotify images reference a soon-to-be bashing of her earlier years at Disney. Some even suggested that “Mickey better hide” as the famed singer aims her one-time Mouse boss.