Miley Cyrus' Grammys Performance Sparks Backlash

Miley Cyrus' performance at the Grammys on Sunday is being mocked online, with social media users attacking the singer's "awkward" behavior.

The 31-year-old belted out her hit "Flowers" at the annual awards show at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, following her win for Best Pop Solo Performance.

Despite the song's success, her Grammys' version was less of a crowd-pleaser.

"Am I the only one finding this Miley Cyrus performance really awkward??" asked Marie Leonard on X, formerly Twitter.

Miley Cyrus performing at 2024 Grammys
Miley Cyrus performs on stage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. The 31-year-old's performance has been described as "bad" and "forced. Valerie Macon/AFP

Jena agreed, writing: "Miley Cyrus is such a try hard it's embarrassing."

"I am NOT a fan of this Miley performance," said Rough Rider, who accused the pop star of "trying to innovate too much."

"Miley is so talented. But why is she just mimicking Tina Turner and Donna Summer?" wrote Queen Camilla, describing the performance as "forced."

"Miley sucks. Her performance was so bad," said Vampire Idiot. "She doesn't know how to perform on stage."

However, other users defended Cyrus, with @swifferwins calling out the singer's critics.

"The way some of y'all are talking about miley tonight is disgusting," they wrote. "I've seen digs at her for showing too much skin, digs at her vocals, her performance, the personality she's showing.

"You don't have to be a fan but that woman has been thru SO MUCH and tonight she's just clearly having fun and being herself.

"You don't have to like her but keep your negative opinions to yourself!!"

Whitney agreed, commenting: "Honestly the audacity?? Her enthusiasm tonight has been absolutely infectious and idk what there is to even tear down. Ppl on this app are so miserable."

Newsweek has reached out to Miley Cyrus for comment via Instagram.

Cyrus called out the audience for their lack of enthusiasm during her Grammys' performance.

"Why you acting like you don't know this song?" she asked the crowd, before encouraging them to sing along.

However, the mood changed when Cyrus took a moment to celebrate her win, mid-song.

Instead of singing the usual line of "Started to cry, but then remembered," Cyrus said "then remembered, I just won my first Grammy."

The audience cheered wildly and applauded Cyrus. She would go on two win a second Grammy later in the evening, walking away with the Record of the Year award.

Released in January 2023, "Flowers" became the fastest song to exceed 100 million listens on Spotify.

The track is allegedly about Cyrus' ex-husband, Australian actor Liam Hemsworth. The former couple wed in 2018 after a nine-year on-again-off-again relationship, but split for good in 2020.

"Flowers" dropped on The Witcher star's 33rd birthday, which sparked rumors the tune was a diss track about him. The song is about a woman going through a break up, reminding herself that she doesn't need a man and choosing to focus on self love.

Update 2/5/24 6:20 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include further information on Miley Cyrus' Grammy win and performance.

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