Miley Cyrus‘s voice is instantly recognizable – a powerful, husky instrument that has defined her sound from her Hannah Montanadays to her recent chart-topping hits. Now, the singer is pulling back the curtain on the medical reason behind her distinctive vocal quality, sharing a diagnosis that has shaped both her sound and her career choices.
In a recent, candid interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Cyrus, 32, revealed that she has Reinke’s edema, a condition characterized by the buildup of fluid in the superficial lamina propria of the vocal folds – a crucial layer for voice production. This swelling often leads to a deeper, hoarser voice.
“I had the Reinke’s edema,” Cyrus explained, acknowledging that while her hard-partying days in her early twenties didn’t help, they weren’t the root cause. “My voice always sounded like this. It’s a part of my unique anatomy.”
She further elaborated, “I have this very large polyp on my vocal cord, which has given me a lot of the tone and the texture that has made me who I am, but it’s extremely difficult to perform with because it’s like running a marathon with ankle weights on.”
This isn’t the first time Cyrus has dealt with vocal cord issues. Fans may recall she underwent vocal surgery back in November 2019, which she later confirmed was also to address Reinke’s edema. At the time, she described the surgery as a “gift,” as it forced her to focus on her sobriety and gain a deeper understanding of her “instrument.”
However, despite the challenges, Cyrus is embracing the voice she has. She revealed to Lowe that she is currently unwilling to undergo surgery to remove the large polyp, fearing the potential consequences. “I’m not willing to sever it ever,” she stated, “because the chance of waking up from a surgery and not sounding like myself is a probability.”
This condition, and her commitment to preserving her unique sound, also sheds light on Cyrus’s recent decisions regarding touring. While she hasn’t ruled out future tours, she emphasized the immense physical strain live performances put on her vocal cords, especially since she is committed to singing live and not lip-syncing. She’s looking for a way to approach touring that is “sustainable” for her physically, mentally, and vocally.
Cyrus’s openness offers fans a deeper understanding of the artist behind the powerhouse vocals. It highlights the often-unseen physical challenges performers can face and underscores her dedication to her authentic sound, even if it comes with limitations. Her distinctive rasp isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a fundamental part of who she is, a “blessing” as she calls it, born from her unique anatomy and shaped by her journey. As she continues to evolve as an artist, her voice remains her unmistakable signature.
