Miley Cyrus Delivers a Moving Country Performance in Honor of George Clooney
While Miley Cyrus is primarily known as a pop artist with hit tracks like ‘Flowers’ and ‘Wrecking Ball’, her music also exhibits strong country influences, likely stemming from her father, the country star Billy Ray Cyrus. This background may have played a role in Cyrus delivering a remarkable rendition of the country/bluegrass song ‘Man of Constant Sorrow’ at the American Institute in 2018, with the video subsequently amassing over 8 million views online.
Cyrus took the stage as part of a tribute show honoring actor George Clooney following his receipt of the AFI lifetime achievement award. The song she performed was originally sung by Clooney’s character in the 2000 film ‘Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?’, in a scene that has become iconic in modern film history. Cyrus undoubtedly paid homage to the scene, with her rich, country-influenced vocals breathing new strength and vitality into the song.
The audience that evening in 2018 clearly enjoyed the performance, with the live crowd applauding and cheering as Cyrus finished her act, and Clooney clapping enthusiastically with a broad smile while the singer greeted him. Unsurprisingly, the performance has attracted nearly 4,000 online comments, with many viewers praising Cyrus’s versatility as a vocalist. “She can really do it all,” comments one impressed viewer, “Such a powerful and interesting voice, and such creativity!”.
Another example of Cyrus revitalizing a classic country song occurred during her 2019 Glastonbury festival performance, where she rocked Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’. Dressed in leather pants, a white crop top, high-heeled boots, and layers of gold jewelry, Cyrus embodied feminine strength as she confidently moved across the stage, adding her own pop-inspired flair to a song widely recognized as a country music staple.
Watching both of these performances makes it evident that Cyrus has achieved global fame for good reason. Brimming with vocal talent and stage presence, she expertly manages any type of performance expected of her, whether it’s a heartfelt tribute to “America’s leading man” George Clooney or a seamlessly cool Glastonbury set that exudes energy and strength.
