Miley Cyrus on VMA Backlash: "I Don't Pay Attention to the Negative"

Singer says critics are "over thinking" her MTV performance

By Zach Johnson Sep 03, 2013 1:39 PMTags
Miley Cyrus, Twerking, VMAAndrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Miley Cyrus' provocative performance at the MTV Video Music Awards caused quite a controversy--and that's exactly what the pop star intended to happen. Speaking to MTV in her first interview just three days after the August 25 show, the 20-year-old opened up about her "Blurred Lines" duet with Robin Thicke.

"Me and Robin, the whole time said, 'You know we're about to make history right now,'" Cyrus recalled. "What's amazing is I think now, we're three days later, and people are still talking about it."

The performance made headlines for days, which surprised the "We Can't Stop" hit maker. "They're over thinking it. You're thinking about it more than I thought about it when I did it," Cyrus argued. "Like, I didn't even think about it 'cause that's just me."

Cyrus then referenced two pop icons--Madonna and Britney Spears--whose own VMA performances have made pop culture history.

"I don't pay attention to the negative because I've seen this play out so many times," said Cyrus, whose twerking appeared to horrify attendees One Direction and Drake. "How many times have we seen this play out in pop music? Madonna's done it. Britney's done it. Every VMA performance, that's what you're looking for; you're wanting to make history."