We all know Miley Cyrus can dominate the pop charts, but at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival, she tapped into her inner punk rocker — and left no doubt that she can go toe-to-toe with the legends. Sharing the stage with none other than Billy Idol, Miley joined forces with the punk icon for a blistering rendition of his classic anthem, “Rebel Yell.”
The crowd erupted as Idol opened with his signature snarl, setting the tone for a night dripping in rock nostalgia. When Miley jumped in, the energy soared. Her performance was a masterclass in vocal dynamism — sliding from smoky, sultry lows to fierce, rebellious highs that echoed through the arena.
The moment wasn’t just powerful — it was viral. The performance lit up social media, racking up over 14 million views and a sea of praise from fans old and new. Comment sections flooded with awe at Cyrus’s raw talent and Idol’s timeless cool. One fan summed it up perfectly: “This is what happens when two legends from different generations truly vibe. Pure fire.”
If that taste of rock Miley left you wanting more, check out her now-famous 2020 live cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” Her gravelly, soulful take proved once again that she’s not just genre-fluid — she’s genre-defiant.
Cyrus and Idol’s collaboration wasn’t just a performance — it was a celebration of rock’s enduring power, and a reminder that great music knows no era.