That Was Then & This Is Now: Miley

There aren’t many artists who have transformed as much in front of the entire world as Miley.

From Disney Channel star to teen-pop sensation to one of the most distinctive artists in modern pop music, Miley has spent nearly two decades constantly reinventing herself.

So for this edition of That Was Then & This Is Now, we’re going back to 2009 — and then jumping all the way to 2026.

THAT WAS THEN: “Party in the U.S.A.”

In 2009, Miley Cyrus was still just 16 years old when she released “Party in the U.S.A.”

The song became an enormous pop hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the defining songs of Miley’s early career. It was also released during the height of her transition from Hannah Montana star to a solo pop artist in her own right.

At the time, it was hard to imagine just how much Miley’s sound and her career would change over the next 17 years.

THIS IS NOW: “Bass Persuades”

Fast-forward to 2026, and we’re hearing a very different Miley.

“Bass Persuades” is the title track and first single from Miley’s upcoming 10th studio album, and it kicks off an entirely new era for the artist. The track leans into gritty, dance-driven production with an ’80s-inspired synth sound, while Miley has also begun professionally going simply by Miley rather than Miley Cyrus.

The new album arrives tomorrow, September 18th, making “Bass Persuades” about as current as it gets for our “NOW.”

From “Party in the U.S.A.” to “Bass Persuades” — that’s 17 years of Miley Cyrus. That was then. This is now.