How Miley Cyrus Became One of the Fiercest LGBTQ+ Icons in the World

With her Happy Hippie Foundation and powerful lyrics, Miley Cyrus proves she's an LGBTQ+ icon. Celebrate Pride with her concert, Stand by You, streaming on Peacock on Friday, June 25.

Watch: 8 Times Miley Cyrus Proved She’s an LGBTQ+ Icon

In the words of Miley Cyrus: “We can kiss who we want / We can screw who we want.” 

At 28 years old, the Grammy-nominated singer has already proved she’s one of the world’s most powerful LGBTQ+ activists, using her platform and lyrics to advocate for equality and acceptance. We can’t stop obsessing over her journey from Hannah Montana star to the out and proud pansexual icon she is today. 

To celebrate Pride Month, Miley will perform hit songs from Cher, Madonna, The Pretenders, George Michael, ABBA and more during her Pride special on Peacock, Miley Cyrus Presents Stand by You. You can stream the entire concert on Friday, June 25, online and on your TV.

As Miley teased on Twitter, “I’ve got a lot of guests. A lot of #Pride. AND A LOT OF WARDROBE CHANGES.” Obviously, it’s going to be a massive party in the U.S.A. 

As fans are well aware, this isn’t her first celebration of the queer community. She came out as pansexual five years ago and has been pushing for equality for years. 

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Miley Cyrus’ Most Candid Confessions

After embracing her free-spirited self during her Bangerz era, she founded the Happy Hippie Foundation in 2014. The nonprofit encourages young people to fight injustices that are currently facing homeless youth, LGBTQ youth and other “vulnerable populations.” She has also donated $500,000 to The Foundation for AIDS Research.

In 2016, “The Climb” artist spoke with Variety about how she learned more about her own identity and how she’s living her truth today.

“My whole life, I didn’t understand my own gender and my own sexuality. I always hated the word ‘bisexual,’ because that’s even putting me in a box. I don’t ever think about someone being a boy or someone being a girl,” the star told the outlet. “Once I understood my gender more, which was unassigned, then I understood my sexuality more. I was like, ‘Oh—that’s why I don’t feel straight and I don’t feel gay. It’s because I’m not.'”

Ahead of her Pride concert, E! News takes a look back at some of the actress’ biggest impacts on the LGBTQ+ community. Click on the video above to see more of Miley’s moments. 

(E! and Peacock are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Lena Waithe Shares a Moving Tribute to the Cast of A Different World

Writer-director-producer Lena Waithe gave a heartfelt message to the cast of A Different World during a special episode of E!'s Reunion Road Trip on June 24. Get the details here.

Watch: “Reunion Road Trip: It’s A Different World” College Secrets

It’s a different world today, thanks to A Different World. 

On tonight’s episode of E!’s Reunion Road Trip, the cast of It’s A Different World came together to reflect on their monumental series that ran from 1987 to 1993. Former co-stars Sinbad, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Dawnn Lewis and Cree Summer recalled OMG-worthy behind-the-scenes moments and favorite memories. 

The heartfelt reunion was later heightened by special celebrity tributes to the iconic spin-off of The Cosby Show.

Writer-producer-director Emmy winner Lena Waithe shared a moving message to the “iconic” ensemble cast. “You have affected my life tremendously,” Waithe said in a video message. “There is a reason why my production company is called Hillman Grad Productions. I think that’s because I feel it’s where I got to be educated as well about what it means to be Black, and you all showed me how beautiful my Blackness was.”

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Cast Reunions That Are Lifting Our Spirits

Waithe made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series in 2017 for Master of None. 

“I am just so grateful that you all decided to walk in your purpose because you inspired me to walk in mine,” The Chi creator beautifully told the A Different World cast. “I wish you all nothing but love and light and all the flowers your hands can hold because you deserve them.”  

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Hip hop producer and DJ Ninth Wonder similarly shared his admiration for the series. “Man, you’re talking about a show that changed the generation,” he explained. “I was a dark-skinned Black kid and Dwayne Wayne [played by Hardison] who was a smart, dark-skinned Black boy…I just want to say thank you so much for giving me something to look up to when I was 14, 15 years old. Thank you very, very much for changing my life, our life, 100 percent.”

The celebrity tributes touched the cast, as Summer called the day “very deep” while Sinbad expressed his gratitude for being part of “greatness.” 

“It’s really my honor—I’m going to cry—to be a part of this legacy,” Lewis summed up. 

Watch the clip from tonight’s episode above for more A Different World reunion details. 

Every Time Beyoncé Gave Us a Rare Look Into Rumi and Sir's Lavish World

Beyoncé's twins, Rumi and Sir Carter, are 4 years old! From splashing around in the water to making adorable cameos in Black Is King take a look at their cutest moments.

Watch: Necessary Realness: Get REAL With Morgan Stewart Q&A

Hold Up: Beyoncé‘s twins are turning 4!

It seems like it was just yesterday the Grammy winner welcomed her twins, Rumi Carter and Sir Carter, with her husband Jay-Z. But on Sunday, June 13, the little ones will celebrate their 4th birthday.

At this time, it’s unclear what plans the family has for Rumi and Sir’s big day. But knowing The Lion King actress, we have a hunch it will be an extra special celebration.

For the most part, the “Mood 4 Eva” singer has kept her twins out of the public eye over the years. While she’s posted rare photos of Rumi and Sir on social media, the Ivy Park founder recently shared more insight into her family life with her twins and 9-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

“I have become a better listener…My best advice is to love them harder than ever,” Beyoncé told British Vogue last October. “I let my daughter know that she is never too young to contribute to changing the world. I never underestimate her thoughts and feelings, and I check in with her to understand how this is affecting her.”

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Blue Ivy Is Beyoncé’s Mini-Me

The proud mom also revealed the new routine she and her children created as they were hunkered at home amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“My kids and I came up with ‘Fashion Fridays,'” she shared. “Every Friday, we would dress up in my clothes or make clothes together and take each other’s pictures. It became a ritual for us and an opportunity to laugh off this crazy year together.”

From the looks of the behind-the-scenes pics Beyoncé has shared, her little ones are following in her fashionable footsteps.

Scroll through our gallery below to swoon over the star’s adorable family moments with her twins!

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Gilded in Gold

While pregnant with her twins, the award-winning singer gave an incredible performance at the 2017 Grammys. It’s safe to say Rumi and Sir Carter had the best seats in the house!

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One-Month Milestone

A month after welcoming her twins, the proud mom took to Instagram to gush over the babies. She wrote, “Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today.”

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All Smiles

The Houston native flashes a huge smile as she carries her babies.

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Splashing Around

The twins adorably take a dip in the ocean in matching outfits.

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Daddy’s Girl

The father-daughter duo looks at the amazing views as they enjoy a boat ride together.

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New Year, New Footage

The “Spirit” singer kicked off 2021 with a sweet video that captured heartwarming moments with her family. “Cheers to a New Year Beyhive,” she captioned her Instagram. “2020 divided us and united us. Most could not see loved ones and we felt too many losses, but we were united by our humanity.”

Birthday Beauty

To celebrate her 38th birthday, the award-winning singer shared behind-the-scenes pics of how she rang in her special day. In one photo, her kids help her blow out her candles.

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Sweet Shout-Out

The “Black Parade” singer honors her son during the Black Is King visual album, writing, “And to all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon. Bow for you. You are the keys to the kingdom.”

 

 

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Black Is King Cameo

A family affair! Beyoncé strikes a pose with her daughters, as well as her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, during the “Brown Skin Girl” music video in Black Is King.

 

 

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Mini-Me

A moment that’s too cute for words!

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Life’s a Beach!

In March 2021, The Lion King actress shared rare photos of her little ones enjoying a beach day in Malibu, Calif.