Miley Cyrus Nails Breakup Anthem ‘Slide Away' at 2019 MTV VMAs
Cyrus' decision to sing her hot new tune at the awards ceremony was a cheeky choice, considering many felt it subtlety referenced her relationship with Liam Hemsworth
On Monday night, the "Mother's Daughter" singer proved why she reigns supreme at the star-studded ceremony. Nearly a week after releasing her track "Slide Away," the 26-year-old star took to the stage at the Prudential Center in New Jersey and performed her latest single live for the first time.
Three words: it was unforgettable.
"Once upon a time, it was paradise / once upon a time, I was paralyzed," she belted out, with a bit of sadness and emotion coming out of her voice. "But it's time to let it go / once upon a time, it was made for us / woke up one day, it had turned to dust / baby, we were found, but now we're lost / so it's time to let it go."
Unlike her usual flashy and risqu designs that she wears on-stage, her simple, yet chic outfit complemented the song's melodic vibe and the black and white feed the ceremony broadcasted. She donned a timeless little black dress that she paired with chunky jewelry.
Making the tune more of a breakup song, the 26-year-old star changed up the lyrics towards the end. Instead of singing "You're right / we're grown now," she belted "You're right / I'm grown now." Finishing off the tune, she added, "It's time to let you go."
Shawn Mendes (L), Lizzo (C) and Taylor Swift (R) attend the 2019 VMAs Red Carpet.
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Cardi B presents the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award to Missy Elliott during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Missy Elliott performs onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Missy Elliott performs onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Missy Elliott poses in the Press Room with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Taylor Swift, center, accepts the video of the year award for "You Need to Calm Down" at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey. To her right stands "RuPaul's Drag Race" alum Jade Jolie, who actor John Travolta mistook for Swift when handing the pop singer her award.
Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey.
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performs on stage during 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Aug. 26, 2019.
Miley Cyrus performs her new song "Slide Away" onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. Many felt the song subtlety referenced her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, who she's recently split from after less than a year of marriage.
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Lizzo attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey.
(From left) Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas attend the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Taylor Swift attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Shawn Mendes attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the red carpet during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
DJ Khaled attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
Zara Larsson attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey.
Lance Bass attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.
U.S. singer Ava Max arrives for the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Aug. 26, 2019.
Taylor Swift attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Aug. 26, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey.
Her heart-tugging and glorious performance at the 2019 MTV VMAs was proof.
And luckily, she decided to take the stage after telling fans online that there was "no f--kin way" she was performing at this year's star-studded ceremony.What's more? This performance was even more special, because she debuted two new tattoos by Winter Stone.
The singer-songwriter got some new ink on her upper arm that read: "my head was feeling scared, but my heart was feeling free." She also showed off her other tattoo, which honored her father Billy Ray Cyrus. "1961" was written on her left hand, and pays tribute to her famous dad's birth year.
Unfortunately for the "Slide Away" songstress, she was left out of the nominee pool this year. However, after shutting down the stage with her noteworthy performance, it seems she's already going home a winner.
