In hundreds of fan and red carpet photos, Miley Cyrus can be seen doing her signature pose: opening her mouth wide and sticking out her tongue, an image that has become associated with the former "Hanna Montana" star. In a new interview with Barbara Walters, the 21-year-old pop star explained why she does it and opened up about struggling with her insecurities, ABC News reports.
Cyrus has been named one of The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2013 in Walter's annual list, and while she's had a hugely successful year and been nearly naked in countless performances and video clips (including her infamous "Wrecking Ball" music video), the star revealed to Walters that she still gets uncomfortable in front of the camera.
“I get embarrassed to take pictures. That’s actually the truth,” Cyrus admitted to the journalist. “I’m so embarrassed, because people are taking pictures of me, and I just don’t know how to – I don’t know how to smile, and just be awkward, so I stick my tongue out, because I don’t know what else to do."
Cyrus is indeed both shy and fearless in the face of photographers, as was revealed during a scene in her MTV documentary special, "The Movement," when the singer had an anxiety attack while pulling up to the red carpet at the 2013 VMAs because her big, elaborately planned entrance had been ruined. Despite her nerves and agitation right before hitting the carpet, Cyrus transformed from panicked to extroverted the moment she stepped out of the car to greet her fans and the paparazzi, and later that night, gave the most memorable performance of the year with Robin Thicke in a provocative mash-up of "We Can't Stop" and "Blurred Lines."
It was the performance no one could stop talking about, causing Cyrus to outshine divas Lady Gaga and Katy Perry as headline fodder. It made her the source of controversy and ridicule, as she was accused of being over-the-top, offensive and even desperate for attention.
"I know I'm not [desperate], so that's why I just kind of laugh," Cyrus told Walters. "I refuse to Google myself. The minute I stopped Googling myself, you don't imagine what a happier person I am."
Barbara Walters’ full interview with Miley Cyrus is featured in the ABC News special, “Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2013,” TONIGHT at 9:30 p.m. ET.
