Miley Cyrus admitted in a candid interview that she struggled with her identity and self-worth because of her role as Hannah Montana.
While it was the role that catapulted her into stardom, it wasn't easy for the young Miley to understand her fame. It certainly didn't help that she was playing a character that had two identities.
Hannah Montana aired on Disney channel from 2006 - 2011. The sitcom was one of the most successful shows of its time, launching Miley's musical career and making her a teen idol at 13 years old.
The series centers on famous teen pop star Hannah Montana, who created alter ego Miley Stewart to maintain her anonymity and live like a normal teenager.
While Hannah Montana became an icon for millions of young girls, Miley was having problems with her own identity.
Hint: It's Not An Overall!
In a podcast, Miley opened up about her experience after the series ended.
"Talk about an identity crisis. The concept of the show is that when you're this character, when you have this alter ego, you're valuable. You've got millions of fans, you're the biggest star in the world," the singer shared.
"And then the concept was that when I looked like myself, when I didn't have the wig on anymore, that no one cared about me. I wasn't a star anymore. So that was drilled into my head [that] without being Hannah Montana, no one cares about you. That was the concept. I really had to break that."
The Plastic Hearts singer also admitted that her tongue-out pose was out of frustration from trying to break free from her Disney character.
"When I noticed that people gave a shit that I would stick my tongue out, when they told me, 'Stop sticking your fucking tongue out,' I would do it more…when people are pissed, that means they care, so that makes you want to do it, too."
Despite the struggles she endured, Miley still has a deep love for the character that launched her to stardom. Early this year, she wrote a heartfelt letter to Hannah to honor the show's 15th anniversary.
"It's been a while. 15 years to be exact. Since the first time I slid those blonde bangs over my forehead in the best attempt to conceal my identity.." Miley wrote.
"Hannah, I hope you hear me + believe those words are true. You have all my love + upmost gratitude. Breathing life into you for those 6 years was an honor," she added. "I love you Hannah Montana."
