Miley Cyrus on Mining From Experience to Write ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Ballad and How She’s Planning for ‘Hannah Montana’s’ 20th ‘Hannah-versary’

Miley Cyrus's path to creating the closing song for James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Ash" originated in a casual backstage encounter. While queuing at last summer's D23 Expo in Anaheim—where she was to be honored as a Disney Legend—the singer found herself behind industry icons Harrison Ford and Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis initiated a conversation that led to Cyrus writing "Beautiful That Way" for her film "The Last Showgirl," a track that later received a Golden Globe nomination. This successful collaboration gave Cyrus the confidence to directly ask Cameron about his upcoming "Avatar" sequel. A devoted fan of the pioneering franchise since its 2009 release, Cyrus saw contributing to the third installment as a pinnacle career moment.

The film's director, James Cameron—whose landmark projects include "Titanic" and the "Avatar" series—had already contemplated involving Cyrus. He suggested the song title "Dream as One" to composer Simon Franglen, a phrase mirroring the movie's finale, but entrusted the creative execution to Cyrus and her renowned co-writers, Oscar winners Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. Cyrus later explained to Variety that her late entry into the process provided a valuable outsider's perspective. "When a project has been developed over two decades, it's easy to lose that initial emotional impact," she noted, drawing a parallel to how a fresh audience member experiences a film. She was captivated by the project's grand scale and its authentic emotional foundation, stating that the exceptional acting allows the fantastical world to remain rooted in genuine human connection.

To authentically capture the essence of Pandora, the songwriting team worked from Los Angeles's famed Sunset Sound studio, while Franglen and Cameron completed the score in New Zealand. Franglen supplied them with exclusive, unreleased environmental footage from the film, which was projected in the studio. "He gave us these immersive shots so we could feel like we were truly there, in the water or beneath the trees," Cyrus recalled. This meticulous immersion is a cornerstone of her creative method, as she strives to uncover the core emotional truth that resonates with a global audience. Her preparation also included extensive, personal phone discussions with Cameron that often stretched for hours, covering life philosophies. "Understanding his personal story and passion for the project was, in many ways, more illuminating than just watching the footage," she revealed.

The film's plot, which follows a new Na'vi clan called the Ash people after their home is consumed by a volcanic eruption, held deep personal significance for Cyrus. In 2018, her Malibu residence was destroyed in the catastrophic Woolsey Fire, a disaster that forced her to rebuild her life from scratch. "That experience of loss and resilience is literally part of my DNA now," she stated. This trauma directly inspired the song's opening lines: "Our love will never fade away // We're diamonds in the dark." The lyric was born from the memory of discovering a single, intact diamond while sifting through the ashes of her property. She reflected on the shared human experience of loss, emphasizing that music's healing power lies in transforming personal hardship into a source of universal comfort for others.

The finished ballad, "Dream as One," has earned a Golden Globe nomination and a place on the Oscar shortlist for Best Original Song. As this chapter concludes, Cyrus is shifting focus to a major personal milestone: the 20th anniversary of "Hannah Montana." The Disney Channel series, which premiered in 2006, catapulted a then-teenage Cyrus to international stardom and defined a generation of young viewers. She is carefully considering how to mark what she calls the "Hannah-versary," wanting to create something meaningful for the fans who grew up with her. Echoing the "Avatar" phrase "I see you," she expressed a desire to acknowledge the mutual evolution between artist and audience. While plans for live events or a tour remain undecided, her intent is clear: to craft a celebration that honors both her journey and the parallel growth of her dedicated fanbase.