It started with a cherry chapstick and a 15-year-old in a four-wheeler.
Honestly, the history of Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus is one of the weirdest, most enduring "frenemy-ship" puzzles in pop music. People love to pit them against each other. It's easy to do. You've got two women who basically defined the neon-soaked 2010s, both known for massive hair changes and even bigger radio hooks. But if you look at the actual timeline, the reality isn't a straight-up feud. It's more of a bizarre, decade-long game of tag.
The "I Kissed a Girl" Mystery
Back in 2008, Katy Perry dropped "I Kissed a Girl." It was the shot heard 'round the world for the LGBTQ+ community and suburban parents alike. But years later, in 2017, Miley dropped a bombshell. She claimed she was the inspiration for the song. According to Miley, she heard Katy on the radio being asked who the song was about, and Katy reportedly said her name.
At the time, Miley was 15 and deep in her Hannah Montana era. Katy was 23. If you do the math, it feels a little... off.
Katy has never fully confirmed this. She’s hinted that the song was about a girl she met when she was younger, but the Miley connection has always lingered like a weird piece of pop lore. Regardless of the truth, they ended up going to the VMAs together that same year. They were fast friends. It was "girly kisses" and red carpet posing. Everything seemed fine until the 2014 Bangerz tour.
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The Infamous Tongue Incident
You probably remember the photo. Katy was in the front row. Miley leaned down. They shared a kiss. But it wasn't a "friendly girly kiss" according to Katy.
Talking to an Australian morning show later, Katy joked that she pulled away because "God knows where that tongue has been!" She called it "infamous."
Miley, never one to take a jab lying down, took to Twitter. She basically told Katy that if she was worried about where tongues had been, she should be glad her "ex boo" (widely assumed to be John Mayer) was an ex. Ouch. It was a classic pop star uppercut.
Trace Cyrus and the "Copycat" Allegations
Fast forward to April 2025. Things got heated again, but not from the women themselves. Miley’s brother, Trace Cyrus, went on an absolute tear on Instagram. He didn’t hold back. He straight-up accused Katy of "ripping off" Miley’s entire career trajectory.
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Trace pointed out the timing of Katy’s 2017 blonde pixie cut, claiming it was a direct attempt to mimic Miley’s 2012 Bangerz transformation. He even brought up the Migos. Miley worked with Mike WiLL Made-It and hip-hop heavyweights; Katy followed with "Bon Appétit" featuring Migos. Trace’s rant was savage. He called it "lame" and said the imitation was "backfiring."
Neither Katy nor Miley commented on the video. That’s the thing about Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus—they tend to let the noise happen around them while they keep moving.
Where They Stand in 2026
So, are they friends? Are they rivals?
In the 2026 landscape, their careers have taken very different turns. Miley is riding high on the legacy of "Flowers" and her 2024 Grammy win. She’s leaned into a rock-and-roll, raspy maturity that feels earned.
Katy, meanwhile, has been making headlines for different reasons. Her 2025 split from Orlando Bloom was a massive news cycle, especially with the bizarre (and frankly, hilarious) rumors of her dating Canadian politician Justin Trudeau. While she’s still a powerhouse, her musical output has been more experimental, sometimes missing the mark with critics but always keeping her in the conversation.
The Comparative Legacy
- Vocal Range: Miley excels in the lower register; Katy has more control over her head voice.
- Reinvention: Miley’s shifts feel like personal evolutions (sometimes messy ones). Katy’s shifts often feel like high-concept "eras" designed by a team.
- Staying Power: Both have survived the "flop" allegations that hit every pop star eventually.
There’s a lot of respect there, even if it’s quiet. You don't survive twenty years in the industry without recognizing another shark in the water. They’ve both had to navigate the transition from "teen-friendly" to "adult icon," which is a brutal gauntlet.
Navigating the Pop Landscape
If you’re a fan or just a casual observer of pop culture, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking at these two.
First, ignore the "brotherly" drama. Trace Cyrus has his own opinions, but they don't necessarily reflect Miley's. Second, look at the collaborations. When Miley or Katy work with an artist, it’s usually a signal of where the industry is heading.
Next Steps for Pop Enthusiasts:
- Check out Miley’s Something Beautiful album for a masterclass in modern pop-rock.
- Watch the 2008 VMA footage if you want to see the literal moment they became a "thing."
- Keep an eye on Katy’s upcoming 2026 tour dates; she’s hinted at a "career-spanning" setlist that might finally put the "copycat" rumors to bed.
Pop music is a cycle. Sometimes you're the one kissing the girl, and sometimes you're the one worrying about where the tongue has been. Either way, these two aren't going anywhere.