Miley Cyrus Talks Controversial 2009 Teen Choice Awaeds Performance

Miley Cyrus‘ mom was behind one of the singer’s first controversial onstage moments. During a conversation with her sister Brandi Cyrus on Spotify’s Billion Club series, the singer reminisced about her performance of “Party in the U.S.A.” at the Teen Choice Awards in 2009, when she infamously danced with a pole attached to an ice cream cart. The moment served as one of the first (but certainly not last) performances in which the singer received backlash for having adult themes in her show.

“This is going to be no surprise to you. Do you know whose idea that was?” Miley asked her sister, who immediately jumped in with the correct answer: their mother, Tish Cyrus. “Yup, that was my mom’s idea. So she always lets me take the blame,” she continued, “When I got in trouble the next day, you know who was nowhere to be found? Tish Cyrus.”

But while the pole might have stood out to fans, Miley said the performance stands out in her mind for a very different reason. “It was the first time I ever wore real diamond jewelry on stage,” she explained. “So you guys remember a little old ice cream truck, I remember the diamonds.”

Miley previously discussed the performance in a TikTok video last year, saying the pole was mostly used for “stability” purposes rather than for shock factor.