“There’s situations that you experience, and you’re like, ‘Okay, I will keep that in mind for the future,’” Noah says of learning from Miley

Noah Cyrus has long been open about her admiration for her big sister Miley Cyrus, and now she’s sharing the personal lessons she’s carried with her through their close bond. The younger Cyrus, who has been carving her own path in the music industry, credits Miley with being both an inspiration and a guiding force. Despite living under the shadow of one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers, Noah says she’s learned to embrace her individuality while also appreciating the wisdom her sister has passed down.

For Noah, one of the most valuable lessons from Miley has been the importance of authenticity. Growing up, Noah witnessed firsthand how her sister navigated fame, criticism, and reinvention without ever losing her true self. Miley’s ability to remain unapologetically herself through every era of her career resonated deeply with Noah, teaching her that strength comes from embracing who you are, even when the world has different expectations. Noah explained that seeing Miley stay genuine, whether through controversy or success, encouraged her to do the same in her own artistic journey.

Another lesson Noah highlights is resilience. Miley’s career has been marked by both extraordinary highs and very public challenges, and Noah said she learned early on that perseverance is key to lasting in the entertainment industry. Watching Miley bounce back from setbacks, criticism, and personal struggles has shown Noah that determination matters just as much as talent. Noah admits that her sister’s resilience has helped her face her own battles with mental health and self-doubt, encouraging her to keep moving forward and to use her struggles as fuel for her creativity.

Miley’s role as a trailblazer has also influenced the way Noah views her own responsibilities as an artist. Noah says her sister’s boldness in challenging norms and standing up for self-expression gave her permission to be brave in her own career. Miley’s willingness to take risks and push boundaries made Noah realize that music is not just about creating songs—it’s about making a statement and leaving a mark. This perspective has guided Noah as she works to develop her own artistic identity, one that is separate from but still inspired by her sister’s.

Beyond music, Noah shares that Miley has also been a role model when it comes to family, friendship, and navigating personal relationships. Miley’s ability to balance a demanding career while remaining close to her loved ones is something Noah deeply admires. She explained that having a sister who is so grounded despite global fame has helped her stay centered in her own life. The two sisters have leaned on each other during difficult times, and Noah says that support has been invaluable in shaping her confidence and perspective.

For Noah, Miley is more than just a superstar—she’s a constant reminder of the importance of staying true, staying strong, and staying connected. Noah acknowledges that while it hasn’t always been easy to grow up in Miley’s spotlight, the lessons she’s gained from watching her sister lead with authenticity and courage are priceless. Today, Noah feels empowered not only as an artist but also as a woman, and she credits her sister’s influence as a driving force behind that growth. In her eyes, Miley isn’t just a global icon; she’s a great role model and, more importantly, a sister who continues to inspire her every day.

Before Noah Cyrus started making music herself, she watched her big sister Miley take the entertainment world by storm — and she took some notes.

“I really saw [her early career] from the perspective of a sister and as a kid. By the time she was done with Hannah [Montana], I wasn’t even driving a car yet — I didn’t even drive when she was doing Bangerz, so that puts it into perspective,” Noah, 25, tells PEOPLE of Miley, 32. “But of course, there’s situations that you experience, and you’re like, ‘Okay, I will keep that in mind for the future and for: If that happens to me, how do I handle it?’ So I’ve had a great role model for how it all works.”

Noah began her own recording career at age 15, when she was signed by a major label, then released her first single “Make Me (Cry)” featuring Labrinth the next year. While she didn’t necessarily ask for advice, she still learned some lessons on navigating the industry from watching her sister.

Sisters Miley and Noah Cyrus at the 2019 Grammy Awards in L.A.Kevin Mazur/Getty

“I didn’t really look at what she was doing as like, ‘Oh, I’m learning from this.’ As I got older though, and by the time I was 16 and doing my own thing, I did experience parts in her career that I guess maybe felt like in her perspective were harder points or growing periods or changes that were just good examples of what to do or what not to do or what to let someone do or what means you’re getting taken advantage of,” adds Noah, who was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2021 Grammys. “I think there were just a lot of lessons that just came with it because our age gap.”

Noah (left) and Miley Cyrus on ‘Hannah Montana’ in 2006.Disney

The sisters have collaborated together over the years. In 2020, Noah released a live duet version of her song “I Got So High That I Saw Jesus” with Miley. And in 2022, Noah joined her sister onstage to perform a cover of family friend Dolly Parton’s hit “Jolene” during Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party.

Noah Cyrus: August 2025 PEOPLE’s digital cover

Noah’s new album, I Want My Loved Ones to Go with Me, was a family affair. The record — which she’ll promote on a tour that launches Sept. 12 — features four generations of Cyruses. “Apple Tree,” includes a sample of a recording of a hymn written by her great-grandfather, sung by her paternal grandfather. Another, “With You,” was the first song her dad, Billy Ray, ever wrote. And her Fleet Foxes duet “Don’t Put It All on Me” was actually inspired by Noah but written by her brother Braison, 31.

“It really was beautiful to have that bloodline [running] through the record,” says Noah, who coproduced the album.

One lyric on “Don’t Put It All on Me” rings especially true to her family’s dynamic, she says: “The words that were spoken / Mean nothing to me.”

“I think that really sums up a relationship with a sibling,” Noah says. “There’s so many times, especially in my relationship with my siblings growing up, you fight and you say things — but that’s your family, and they’re always going to be there for you, and I’m lucky enough to say that that’s been my case with me and my siblings and my family.”