Miley Cyrus received the Innovator Award at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles. During her acceptance speech, she reflected on the origins of her artistic persona.
Cyrus credited her early role as Hannah Montana for shaping her career. She described the character as a constructed identity that allowed her to explore performance.
The singer explained that this experience taught her the power of creation and self-invention. She framed it as a foundational lesson in building her public and artistic life.
The award recognizes her impact and evolution within the music industry. The ceremony was held on March 26.