Take an album and turn it into a film? That sounds like the doing of a Disney legend.
Miley Cyrus’ 9th studio album, “Something Beautiful” is already here BUT fans now have a chance to stream the visual album, “Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful” on July 16th.
“Sensational”, “electric”, “thrilling”, “explosive”, “breathtaking” are just some of what viewers can expect from the full length visual companion to the album, according to the trailer.
The film’s official website describes “Something Beautiful” as “a one of a kind pop opera fueled by fantasy” that features 13 new songs with collaborations from Brittany Howard (“Walk of Fame”) and Naomi Campbell (“Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved”).
The film premiered June 6th at the Tribeca Festival ahead of its one-night release in the U.S. and Canada on June 12th. According to the Tribeca, the film was directed by Jacob Bixenman, Brendan Walter, and Cyrus. Cyrus also produced alongside Panos Cosmatos, Nick Spicer, Nate Bolotin, Aram Tertzakian.
In a press statement, the former Disney star called the project her “dream come true – fashion, film, and original music coexisting in harmony.” and thanked her co-creator crediting, “their expertise to make this fantasy a reality.”
Something Beautiful: The Album
“Something Beautiful”, was released on May 30th. Cyrus drew inspiration from Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and the horror film “Mandy” to set the tone and aesthetic. The album centers around themes of healing, finding beauty in the darkness, and the search for love in all forms while creating a psychedelic, dreamy, raw, surreal visual and musical experience.
In her Harper’s Bazaar cover story, she tells the magazine, “the nastiest times of our life do have a point of beauty. They are the shadow, they are the charcoal, they are the shading. You can’t have a painting without highlights and contrast.”
Back in May, the former teen idol joined Zane Lowe on his podcast series. Cyrus described her album as “experimental,” and, “the album that I’ve really been craving my whole adult career to create.” She states the album is, “a love song dedicated to life, to death, to nature, to humanity, to mystery, to God, to everyone I know, to everyone I’ll never know, to what I understand and what I could never fathom, to the cosmos, to this earth. It’s a concept album that’s an attempt to medicate a sick culture through music, hiding the healing in an entertaining work of art, bringing the divine into the day-to-day.'”
Why A Film?
Cyrus gives a bit of insight on why she hasn’t toured in over a decade on Lowe’s podcast. The singer’s medical condition called Reinke’s edema, which is a large polyp on the vocal cord, has made it more taxing to perform. And after speaking to Harrison Ford of her idea about touring for “Something Beautiful”, he inspired her to take a different route. Cyrus tells Zane,“… the film is my way of touring. That’s why I’m putting it into theaters, because it’s something you can watch night after night and you get to discover and you get to feel like you’re a part of a performance, but I don’t have to tax myself in that way.”
A Film Not A Movie
During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, Cyrus noted that “Something Beautiful” is a film, NOT a movie. The singer explains to Kimmel, “A movie has a point. Not that this doesn’t quite have a point, but I feel like there’s an A, B, and C, and the whole point of a movie is to get to C. The good news about this one is that there’s not really a synopsis because the music is the story.”
Fashion As Inspo
The Grammy winners’ fashion choices are statements. With custom pieces from Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, and archival Thierry Mugler, Cyrus uses clothes as a visual extension of her music.
Working with her longtime stylist Bradley Kenneth, this album has ushered in a new fashion era for the pop star. Kenneth tells Vogue, “This era has a richness and depth that feels both modern and timeless. The looks reflect that same energy. For me, it was about translating the music through the styling into something visual and elevated.”
2nd Album Visual Release With Disney+
This may be Cyrus’ first time turning her album into a film but it’s not her first time releasing a visual performance of her album on Disney+. “Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)” premiered in March 2023 with performances from her 8th studio album “Endless Summer Vacation.” Described on Disney+, “The global superstar’s cinematic, one-of-a-kind performances are threaded together with exclusive interviews where she provides insight to her new album and the person she is today.”
When and Where To Watch Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful
You can start streaming the film in the U.S. and Canada on July 16 on Hulu and Disney+, and it will be available globally on July 30 on Disney+.