Noah Cyrus Is Inspired By Miley While On Her Grind

More than a few young actors, singers, and artists are propelled into show business largely because of their famous families. Many people would assume that goes for Miley Cyrus' younger sister Noah, who's launching a music career of her own. Full disclosure, I was one of those people who thought professional singing was appealing (and accessible) to Cyrus not only because of her sister, but also because of her father Billy Ray. But I won't lie, after meeting the 16-year-old, I was extremely impressed and convinced that she made it on her own. She's on the grind working hard, and has been for some time now. And while she's inspired by her big sis, she won't let her or the rest of her musically-inclined family define who she is moving forward.

Cyrus has been making headlines recently because of her debut song "Make me (Cry)," released on November 14th. The pop song, both sultry and catchy, showcases Cyrus's raspy voice, similar to her sister's. However, Cyrus pulls inspiration from her sister's attitude, not her pipes. "Miley’s not afraid to be bold. I think that’s really great," she tells me on the red carpet for the 2016 American Music Awards. "[She practices] loving and just accepting who you are. I always look up to her for that." And these values come in handy for a teenager being thrust into the spotlight.

"I think I was a little nervous putting it out. It’s kind of a very vulnerable moment for me," she says. I can't imagine how nerve-wracking it must be for Cyrus, who not only has to break apart from her family on this venture, but has tireless music critics on the internet to consider. Meanwhile, I think about 16-year-old me whose biggest worry was passing my driver's license test. Cyrus may be taking a leap of faith by displaying her talents for the world to see, but luckily, she has an optimistic attitude.

"Everything’s been really positive. Everybody’s been amazing. I’ve gotten so many new fans," Cyrus says. "It’s so amazing." Her music being well-received is a huge accomplishment in itself, as Cyrus has been working on it for years. "I only have this one song out and I’m still working on the rest of the album, I hope the hard work shows," she says. "I’ve been working on this since I was 14."

Technically, she's been working on her music even before the young age of 14. "My dad always had me sing alongside him while he played guitar," Cyrus tells Paper magazine. "[Writing] is a great way to explain your past or what you hope for the future."

It's clear the young star has the passion and drive to continue on her path, and as long as she keeps her head up like her big sis, she'll be just fine.