Miley Cyrus' Post-Divorce Style Transformation Is A Sight To See

Miley Cyrus had a long and complicated relationship with Liam Hemsworth, but her post-divorce style transformation proves that fashion can love her better than anyone else can. The two celebs first met as teens in 2009 when they starred together in "The Last Song," a Nicholas Sparks-adapted movie. While their resulting on-and-off again relationship would span over a decade, their marriage was much shorter, with Cyrus and Hemsworth tying the knot in December 2018 before announcing their separation in August 2019.

Though she has openly discussed her pain since the split, Cyrus hasn't let the breakup blues keep her down. "Plastic Hearts," her 2020 album that was developed throughout her divorce proceedings, was a pop-rock anthem all about reinvention and independence, while the 2023 album "Endless Summer Vacation" serves as a masterclass in reclaiming your story after a breakup. Along the way, Cyrus has experimented with different styles and looks, going from a bleach blond rocker babe to a show-stopping brunette.

After finalizing their divorce in January 2020, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth were declared officially single in late February. Around that time, Cyrus cut a head-turning figure at New York Fashion Week, making a surprise appearance in the Marc Jacobs Ready to Wear Fall/Winter show. The "Midnight Sky" singer looked chicly fierce as she walked the runway in a black bralette top and tailored trousers, accessorizing with long, leather gloves and a black-and-white coat that she carried in her hand. She wore her bleached hair in a shoulder-length cut with eye-grazing fringe, marking another entry in Cyrus's stunning bangs transformation. 

The unapologetic rockstar appearance signaled that Cyrus wouldn't be cowed by the fallout of her divorce or by the public's coverage of it, but she had an even bigger message in store with her release of "Plastic Hearts" later that year. The album, which debuted in November 2020, marked the singer's firm entry into pop rock. While fans speculated that several songs reflected on her divorce, Cyrus explicitly confirmed that the opening track "WTF Do I Know?" captured emotions surrounding her headline-making split. "It's not that it's how I feel every second of the day, it's how I felt for a moment," she told Howard Stern about the unapologetic lyrics. "That works as some sort of protective armor and there's a sense of myself that does feel that way."

By the end of 2021, Miley Cyrus was officially entering a new, post-divorce relationship and doing so in style. The former Disney star made an appearance at the Gucci Love Parade in November 2021, wearing a red, ankle length dress covered with reflective blue fringe and adorned with yellow-toned feathers around the waist. She paired the playful piece with a gold handbag and matching, strappy heels, wearing her hair in a fun half-updo with plenty of face-framing fringe. 

Alongside the fashionable ensemble, which drew comparisons to her godmother Dolly Parton, Cyrus took the opportunity to soft launch her relationship with drummer, songwriter, and producer Maxx Morando. Though their joint appearance together didn't initially raise eyebrows, subsequent sightings sparked fan speculation and an inside source confirmed the couple's status in March 2022. "We got put on a blind date," Cyrus told British Vogue in 2023. "Well, it was blind for me and not really for him. I thought, 'The worst that can happen is I leave.'"

Several celebrities have stunned in versatile little black dresses, with Miley Cyrus putting her own spin on the wardrobe staple in May 2022. The "Wrecking Ball" singer was spotted arriving at the NBC Upfronts dinner while wearing a lace-trimmed slip dress from Galliano. She styled the lingerie-inspired piece with pointed-toe heels, fishnet tights, and gold earrings. Her bleach blond hair featured an edgy peek-a-boo dye job with black underneath, while her beauty look consisted of coppery eyeshadow and a pink-toned lip gloss. "Photo me pronto," the star captioned the look on Instagram. "I'm in Galliano."

The spicy ensemble reflects Cyrus's fearless approach to fashion, which she opened up about in an interview with Vogue. "You're so fearless when you get yourself dressed when you're a kid," she told the outlet. "You don't think about what someone will think of you or what they'll judge. It's just about expression and how you feel that day. There's a fearlessness. And so when I get dressed, I try to kind of think like my inner child, and be genuine and authentic in whatever I'm wearing."

Miley Cyrus wore an iconic performance ensemble for the 2024 Grammys, taking the stage in an archival Bob Mackie dress to belt out her hit post-breakup track "Flowers." The eye-catching garment featured a bralette-style bodice with a large torso cut-out and asymmetrical, fringed hemline. Blue and purple-toned jewels surrounded by sparkly, metallic beading gave the dress a dazzling appearance. The pop star also wore her hair in a voluminous, Tina Turner-inspired blowout that lands on our list of Cyrus's coolest award show hairstyles of all time.

"I wanted to have a lot of fun and [with] Bob Mackie that's what it's all about," Cyrus later told Harper's Bazaar about the look. "You really just feel so much joy when you have those strings of beaded fringe going down your leg and every time you shake and move you're in full command and they're dancing with you...[the look] said everything that I wanted to say and didn't have time to say on stage."

While the performance marked a monumental moment in Cyrus's career, with the singer going on to win her first ever Grammy that night, the uplifting track and her "Endless Summer Vacation" album are notable entries into her post-divorce transformation. The star's split had a clear influence on the album, with songs like "Flowers" serving as a confidence-inspiring anthem for moving on and embracing independence. In addition to looking fabulous and fierce, Cyrus was able to make art inspired and empowered by her experiences, a true testament to moving on.

The 2025 Academy Awards saw another head-turning look from Miley Cyrus, with the legendary singer attending the event to present the award for Best Sound. Joined by her long-time partner Maxx Morando, the celeb served major gothic vampire vibes with a custom, full-length gown from Alexander McQueen. The inky garment was made of velvet, silk, and tulle, and featured a halter-style neckline, sweeping skirt, and beaded embroidery. Cyrus accessorized with black pumps and lace gloves, styling her hair in a loosely-curled side-part reminiscent of old Hollywood glam. Additionally, Cyrus's eyebrow journey proves that she is always willing to experiment with something new, with the star sporting a fully bleached brow look for the star-studded event.

The former "Hannah Montana" star shared the look to her Instagram, captioning black and white snapshots with a quote from McQueen that emphasized the gothic fairytale vibes of her award show look. "I don't think it makes sense to play it safe in these times," the designer once said. "The world needs fantasy, not reality. There's enough reality today." With Cyrus's varied post-divorce ensembles and accomplishments in mind, it's clear that the celebrity has embraced a fearless sense of fashion while continuing to make major moves in her career and art. Overall, we can't wait to see what the star has in store for the future.