Miley Cyrus’ Disney Channel Scandals: A Wild Ride from Child Star to Rebel Queen

Miley Cyrus didn’t just leave Disney Channel. She burned the whole house down on her way out. From leaked photos to lap dances and bong rips, her journey from America’s sweetheart to Hollywood’s most unpredictable pop provocateur was anything but smooth.

Let’s take a deep dive into the chaos, controversy, and absolute cunty energy that defined her Disney departure.

Leaked Photos: The Beginning of the End (2008)

Before she even had the chance to properly rebel, a hacker decided to kickstart the scandal era for her. In 2008, Miley’s private photos were leaked online, some showing her in intimate and suggestive poses. Parents lost their damn minds. Disney started sweating bullets. Miley, just 15 at the time, was thrust into controversy without ever asking for it. The backlash was immediate and brutal.

Vanity Fair’s “Scandalous” Photoshoot (2008)

Because one photo scandal wasn’t enough, Miley teamed up with Vanity Fair and legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz for a shoot that sent the world into a tailspin. Draped in nothing but a satin sheet, Miley, once again a literal child, was accused of being too provocative. Disney went into full panic mode and publicly condemned the cover, trying to distance themselves from the mess. Miley, meanwhile, apologized, saying she felt embarrassed by the backlash. But let’s be real, she ate that shoot up.

YouTube Feud: The Selena and Demi Roast (2008)

Miley and her ride-or-die bestie Mandy Jiroux thought it would be so funny to hop on YouTube and clown their fellow Disney darlings Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. The video, which was basically just them giggling and mocking Selena and Demi’s style, did not go over well with fans. After facing backlash, Miley and Mandy deleted the video and hit everyone with the classic, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.” Sure, Jan.

Pole Dancing at the Teen Choice Awards (2009)

Miley was 16 when she decided to hop onstage at the Teen Choice Awards and serve up some stripper-chic realness. Singing Party in the U.S.A., she strutted around in hot pants while holding onto a pole attached to an ice cream cart. The audience was mostly tweens and their horrified parents. Disney Channel, now in full damage control mode, refused to comment. Years later, Miley clarified that the pole was just for “stability.” Babe, sure.

The Infamous Bong Video (2010)

Five days after her 18th birthday, the internet imploded when a video surfaced of Miley taking massive hits from a bong. The substance was salvia, a legal but psychedelic herb that had her giggling uncontrollably on camera. The former Disney princess was now officially that girl at the party. After the video leaked, Miley issued a half-apology, saying, “I’m not perfect. I made a mistake and I’m disappointed in myself for disappointing my fans.” Meanwhile, her fans were just trying to process the fact that Hannah Montana was tripping balls on camera.

Losing the Walmart Bag (2010)

Turns out, getting caught in bong-gate comes with consequences. Miley later revealed that her leaked salvia video cost her a major merchandising deal with Walmart. She spilled the tea in Marie Claire, calling out the hypocrisy of people judging her when plenty of other celebrities were out here doing worse. But Walmart wasn’t interested in nuance. They were out.

“Can’t Be Tamed” and the Disney Ban (2010)

At 17, Miley made it crystal clear that she was done with the Disney princess act. She dropped Can’t Be Tamed, a music video that had her writhing around in a birdcage, serving goth pop star realness. Parents lost their entire minds. Disney executives reportedly panicked so hard that they banned their employees from even mentioning Miley’s name or playing her songs. They were done with her and honestly, the feeling was mutual.

The Director Lap Dance Scandal (2010)

Because one scandal a year wasn’t enough, footage surfaced of 16-year-old Miley grinding on The Last Song director Adam Shankman, who was 45. The video, taken at a party, was sold to TMZ and promptly caused yet another firestorm. Parents were outraged. Critics were clutching their pearls. Miley kept it moving like nothing happened.

Messy 18th Birthday: Kissing, Drinking, and More (2010)

The second Miley turned 18, she did not hold back. First, paparazzi caught her making out with Victorious star Avan Jogia at her birthday party. Then, photos emerged of her drinking in a Spanish nightclub where the legal drinking age is lower, so technically not illegal but definitely not Disney-approved. At this point, her good-girl image was officially deceased.

The NSFW Birthday Cake (2012)

By 2012, Miley had fully embraced her chaotic energy. For fiancé Liam Hemsworth’s birthday, she bought him a penis-shaped cake and went full send with the photos, licking it for the cameras. Naturally, the internet went feral. But the scandal didn’t stop there. Miley later revealed that after the photos leaked, she was fired from Hotel Transylvania.

Caught Smoking Cigarettes (2011)

In her 2009 autobiography Miles to Go, Miley had confidently declared that she would never smoke. Fast forward two years, and paparazzi caught her puffing away. The internet loved the irony, and the wholesome Disney narrative continued to crumble.

The Nose Ring That Launched a Thousand Complaints (2010)

If you thought parents were dramatic, wait until you hear about Disney Channel executives. When Miley showed up to film Hannah Montana Forever with a tiny little nose ring, the backlash was wild. Parents were livid. Disney was over it. Miley was so obviously counting down the days until she could finally leave the franchise behind.

The End of Hannah Montana and the Rest is History (2012)

By 2012, Hannah Montana was officially done, and Miley was free to be whoever the hell she wanted to be. What followed was the shaved-head, twerking, wrecking-ball-riding era that cemented her as one of pop culture’s most unpredictable and fascinating figures.

Disney tried to control her. Parents tried to scold her. The media tried to shame her. But Miley did what she always does. Whatever the f*ck she wanted.