Miley Cyrus experiencing 'disconnect' between herself and fans, PR expert says

Singer and actress Miley Cyrus' recent backlash suggests a growing disconnect between how she's positioning herself and what her fans expect, a PR expert claims.

The 32-year-old Hollywood star, who recently sparked Bianca Censori comparisons by donning a sheer dress in Paris, faced some critizism for her "disrespectful" behavior toward fans at a recent meet and greet for the launch of her album film Something Beautiful in London.

Before she was accused of "ignoring" the fans who came out to meet her and instead hanging out with collaborator and supermodel Naomi Campbell, Cyrus was slammed for misinforming fans about the premiere of the album film.

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Now, PR expert Grayce McCormick of Lightfinder Public Relations has weighed in on the backlash, telling Express US, "Miley Cyrus is in an interesting phase of her career—refined, controlled, and intentional.

"But this recent backlash around her London meet-and-greet and confusion over the film-album rollout suggest a growing disconnect between how she's positioning herself and what her fans, who are not just integral but the very essence of her career, expect."

Concerning the meet and greet backlash, the expert continued, "Her PR team is likely in crisis containment mode—working behind the scenes to reassure stakeholders and shift focus back to the success of her creative work.

"Even if Miley denies snubbing fans, the visual optics of ignoring supporters—especially in the age of viral content—are hard to dispute.

"Her team is probably encouraging her to offer a warm but non-defensive statement acknowledging the misunderstanding, paired with a message of gratitude.

"A private fan gesture, like surprise video calls or handwritten notes, could also quietly repair some damage."

Speaking about what's gone wrong with the film-album rollout, McCormick added, "From a PR perspective, the campaign lacked clarity. The mix-up about a concert at the premiere shows how easily fan expectations can spiral without crystal-clear messaging."

The expert added, "Her branding has leaned into artistic autonomy and distance from industry norms, but without proper fan engagement, it risks coming off as detached or dismissive.

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"Her PR strategy should have included more personal, direct fan communication to make fans feel more connected and engaged and to manage expectations while elevating the mystique she's been cultivating."

The PR expert concluded, "Ultimately, even icons must remember the golden rule of fandom: Your audience wants to feel seen. In Miley's case, the potential of warmth and transparency could go a long way, giving fans a sense of hope and optimism for the future."

Express US has reached out to Cryrus for comment regarding the backlash.

Cyrus and Campbell were in London for the launch of Something Beautiful, having collaborated on new single, Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved.

Tons of fans waited in line for hours at the Rough Trade store for the chance to meet the singer and fashion icon — but things got awkward fast, as many began feeling "ignored" and left disappointed.

On Campbell's live stream, the pair were seen chatting away at the table. They greeted a fan who approached them but returned to their conversation while she quietly stood in front of them.

Cyrus was promptly slammed in the comments of her post about the meet in greet, which first thanked Campbell and then fans for their support. Disgruntled fans blasted her for not "reading the room."

"Sorry to everyone who went and got a photo with them talking to one another," commented one person, who earned almost 2,000 likes. "The way you ignored your fans lol," said another as a third added, "girl, i mean, READ THE ROOM."

"Girl you were very rude to your fans at this signing," slammed a fourth while a fifth said, "Treat your fans better next time."

Cyrus' album film release has already faced some backlash as fans thought they were paying $800 for a concert – not a film premiere.

The hour-long film debuted at New York’s Beacon Theatre on June 6, but complaints emerged claiming viewers had been misled about what they were seeing exactly.

They believed the premiere would feature a live performance. Eventually, the Wrecking Ball hitmaker did launch into an a cappella rendition of The Climb (from her Hannah Montana days) in response.