Miley Cyrus' Best And Worst Red-Carpet Hairstyles

Gen Z knows Miley Cyrus as an edgy pop star who wears risqué 'fits, but younger folks may not recall that she got her start as a Disney Channel star. Back then, she wore the standard Y2K attire, like flared jeans, and had long, wavy locks. However, since growing up before the world's eyes, Miley Cyrus has had a stunning hair transformation. In 2012, the "Party in the U.S.A." singer debuted a shocking platinum-blond pixie with a shaved cut at the back of her head that created a lot of buzz from fans. "I love having it short. I feel like when you wake up, your hair's always done," Cyrus said on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" at the time.

Over the years, the pop star has rocked many different hairstyles on red carpets, from a pouffy bouffant to dreamy waves. However, just like some of Miley Cyrus' biggest makeup mistakes, her hairstyles have had some major flubs at big events like the Met Gala and the Grammys. That said, at other events, her hairstyles have shone like the star she is, so let's break down the good, the bad, and the ones that should never be replicated.

At 20 years old, Miley Cyrus was shedding her Disney Channel image, and she proved just how grown-up and glamorous she was at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. With her shoulder-length hair in large waves and a deep side part, Cyrus looked just like an Old-Hollywood starlet. Cyrus' large, diamond-shaped earrings were the perfect accessories for her hairstyle, and her makeup was flawless, proving once again that red lipstick is always a good idea.

Miley Cyrus has a rebellious nature, but what was she thinking with her spiky strands at the 2013 Met Gala? The "We Can't Stop" singer looked like she had just rubbed her hair with a balloon and ended up with a bad case of static electricity. The theme that year was "Punk: Chaos to Couture," so we give her props for trying to stay on the theme. However, it was a little too chaotic without giving couture at all.

Miley Cyrus proved that she looks good with all hair lengths, as well as that a short style is super striking on her, at the 2015 Grammy Awards. She slicked her blond hair back into a slightly elevated bouffant, which, while simple, was oh-so elegant. That year, Cyrus kept her makeup minimal as well, showing that she doesn't need all the bells and whistles to stand out.

Miley Cyrus went big with her hair at the 2024 Grammys, and while we love a teased 'do, her finished look was a big mess. Her hairstylist, Bob Recene, told People that he was aiming for a "Barbarella" feel, but it looked like Cyrus stuck her head out of the limo on the way to the Crypto.com Arena and let the wind do its thing. Her hairstyle had many mixed reviews with fans, and for those who want to recreate Miley Cyrus' "Barbarella"-inspired Grammys hair, all you need are a few tools and extra-strong hairspray.

Miley Cyrus has yet to be nominated for an Academy Award, but she's a frequent attendee at both the show and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. In 2013, she showed up to the latter in a gold-and-black gown with her lob parted to one side and flowing down to her shoulders in gorgeous waves. The shade of her hair complemented her dress perfectly and glowed under the lights. From the color to the cut, Cyrus' hair that night was pure perfection.

Miley Cyrus turned a lot of heads at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — but not for a good reason. She walked the red carpet with a sleek ponytail and curiously decided that choppy baby bangs were a good idea. The uneven fringe appeared to have been cut only from one side of her face but was styled to cover her whole forehead. Cyrus' hairstyle may have been part of her edgy aesthetic, but it just looked like she cut her own bangs on the way to the event, which isn't so far-fetched given that she had an entirely different look at the Oscars just hours before.

When Miley Cyrus brings it with her hairstyles, she slays. The "Flowers" singer proved to be ahead of her time when she brought mermaidcore hair to the "Avengers: Endgame" premiere in 2019. Her bangs were cut in long, wispy layers, and the rest of her hair was curled loosely into beachy waves that fell down her back. The complete effect was a slightly tousled yet glamorous style that was executed flawlessly.

Trust Miley Cyrus to show off a new hairstyle on the red carpet, and she didn't disappoint at the 2025 Grammys. This time, she had her hair in several lengths that was reminiscent of the hime fringe haircut that was popular in 2023. Cyrus' wavy bangs reached past her bleached eyebrows, and the sides of her hair fell to her cheeks. As if the look wasn't disjointed enough, the rest of her locks were super long. Her stylist, Bob Recine, explained to Harper's Bazaar that she was trying to grow her hair out, but some graduated layers would have looked much more cohesive.