Miley Cyrus Shades Liam Hemsworth With A Cheeky Message To A Fan

In true Miley Cyrus fashion, the pop star reminded everyone who runs the game of subtle shade when she could demonstrate her dominance again, all from a fan interaction seemingly nothing more than innocence that broke the internet. The "Flowers" singer served up a low-key but as subtle as a sledgehammer message to her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, and all it took was a pen, a record, and a sense of humor pitched just right.

It all went down last week at a meet-and-greet where she signed vinyl of her new album, Something Beautiful. When a fan who coincidentally shares the name Liam asked the singer to sign the album, Cyrus had a message to dish that was light on words but heavy on meaning. Scrawled in black cursive on the album sleeve were the words, "The best Liam."

The fan who posted about the run-in was apparently willing to take the playful punch. He then shared a smiling photo of himself with Miley, the signed vinyl between them, and the cheeky caption "Me when I'm the best Liam." The post took off across social media almost immediately, with many commenting on Cyrus' talent for salty wit. 

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Though Miley did not call anyone out by name, fans of the pop star didn't let the thinly veiled dig go unnoticed. The only other "Liam" that matters in Cyrus' life is Liam Hemsworth, the Australian actor whom she married for two years before their public breakup in 2020. Their decade-plus relationship had long been a source of romantic fascination and heartbreak for their followers.

This is hardly the first time Miley has used her personal journey to shape her public image. Her number one single, Flowers, was believed to be an empowering breakup song for Hemsworth. Lyrics like "I can buy my own damn flowers" repeated themes of independence, healing, and seizing the narrative, all of which are the stuff of Miley's post-divorce life. But unlike the passionate emotion behind Flowers, this was a "Best Liam" moment that worked as much for its playful shade as for its catharsis. It was light, funny, and completely on-brand for the Miley Cyrus fans have come to know, honest, unapologetic, and a master of turning real-life pain into pop-culture power.

Further, the incident reminds us that Miley is still far from relinquishing control of her story, not through tell-all interviews or trashy memoirs, but through creative, subversive acts that feel like they're on another level even after the fact. It's a tactical twitch of brand-building that's also a form of personal expression, a means to stay culturally relevant and to keep the conversation about her firmly where she wants it. Whether it's considered playful banter or stealth shade, Miley Cyrus is not just autographing vinyl but also signing declarations. And to the fan most fortunate to be named "the best Liam," that autograph could end up being the most lasting pop culture prize of 2025.