Miley Cyrus Celebrates New Sobriety Milestone, Inspires Those Struggling Through Pandemic To Persevere
While many of us have adapted under COVID's 'new normal', for those battling substance abuse, the struggle has only worsened.
A spike in online alcohol sales mixed with limited counseling due to lockdown laws has led to a massive increase in 'deaths of despair', which are deaths from suicide, drug overdose or alcoholism.
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You'd think that a music megastar worth $160 million, with 95 million in worldwide record sales and 116 million Instagram followers would be immune to it.
You'd be wrong.
In fact, not only has Miley Cyrus relapsed under the pressure of the lockdown, she's had to face some dark demons along the way. Yet in recently opening up about her struggles with -- and reclaiming -- sobriety, she provides inspiration we can all benefit from.
"I, like a lot of people, being completely honest, during the pandemic, fell off"
Miley Cyrus
While most kids were learning about the birds and the bees, Cyrus was schooled in fame and fortune. The daughter of country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus rose to stardom at 14 as the star of Disney's 'Hannah Montana'. She left that nest at 18 to become a massively successful pop singer and emerging acting talent. In fact, her seventh studio album, 'Plastic Heart', just got released.
A dark place behind success
For Cyrus, as with many, substance abuse was a slow drip disguised as a good time. "It’s not really the drinking, it’s the staying up all night, and once you have your drink, you end up smoking", she said recently.
By the time the music stopped and the lights came on, addiction had long taken hold.
Cyrus pointed to two pivotal moments leading to the six-month sobriety stint from which she relapsed, and recently recovered, from.
The first was performing at the Morrison Hotel pre-COVID. She accidentally had her camera on selfie mode when taking a picture, and, seeing a "horrible, sweaty and flat" image of herself, immediately left the show, horrified.
The second was undergoing vocal cord surgery after tonsilitis, which forced her to quit smoking. As well as being unable to talk for a few weeks, she was forced to spend time with herself. It proved to be her biggest challenge.
It’s excruciating. And I did it probably three nights ago and sobbed by myself. And I felt so good the next day, because you cannot do this forever.
Along with uncovering some harsh truths about herself, she also uncovered patterns of addiction and mental illness within her own family. " By understanding the past, we understand the present and the future more clearly".
A frightening moment
Fast forward to now, and two weeks into regaining her sobriety, Cyrus has again had to turn her attention inward.
That's because she recently celebrated something that many artists of her ilk haven't: Her 28th birthday.
The list of famous artists dying from their lifestyle at age 27 -- Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse to name a few --is so prominent these late celebs were given the name '27 Club'. It's a membership that Cyrus wanted no part of. She's also well aware of the fact she was close to joining that infamous company.
“You go into that next chapter or this is it for you. I just feel that some of the artists that almost couldn’t handle their own power and their own energy and their own force. It’s an energy. I, no matter what, was born with that.”
Miley Cyrus
Shared struggle, shared strength
In opening up so publicly about her ongoing fight with addiction, Cyrus shows that struggle cuts through class and status. Being wealthy and famous didn't shelter her from suffering. It also didn't exclude her from the self-reflection needed to heal.
Ultimately, her story demonstrates that overcoming addiction takes the courage to both be vulnerable and ask for help as well as look within, as beneath the hurt lies our best self. Let her journey inspire you to find yours as well.
More inspiring celebrities:
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.