Miley Cyrus has undergone quite the transformation in recent months.
The former Twerk Queen has put down the bong and the weed leaf-emblazoned bodysuit to reinvent herself as a bubbly, family-friendly pop princess.
But that doesn’t mean Miley’s no longer willing to strip down for her art.
The songstress posed as a fairy for famed celebrity photographer Daivd LaChappelle’s new coffee table book.
As you can see, Miley is nearly-unrecognizable in her blonde wig and glittery makeup.
She appears to be nude, but apparently she’s wearing some sort of sheer body stocking.
Whatever the case, it’s far less clothing than Miley has been rocking in her most recent photos.
Miley has the honor of covering the book, which features highlights from Chappelle’s nearly 40-year career and photos of such luminaries as Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Hillary Clinton, Amber Rose, Naomi Campbell, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Michael Jackson.
Fans who are hoping the risque pic signals a return to Bangerz-era form for Miley probably shouldn’t hold their breath.
The singer says she’s put that image behind her for good after getting sober, reconciling with Liam Hemsworth, and shifting her musical style to a more mainstream, radio-friendly sound.
Miley’s new singler, “Younger Now”, sees her belting out the mantra-like lyric “no one stays the same.”
The song from Cyrus’ forthcoming album of the same name seems to be something of an anthem for the 24-year-old.
Miley has been accused of selling out and using elements of hip hop culture only when they were convenient for her and then demonstrating her lack of respect for the genre by casually tossing it aside.
Cyrus maintains her evolution happened naturally and is simply a reflection of her recent growth as a person.
We won’t try to settle that argument here.
But we will say that the return of naked Miley is a good indication that the former Hannah Montana won’t be playing it too safe going forward.
We don’t expect to see Miley wagging her toungue at this year’s VMAs, but inside her, there will always be a piece of the rebel artist that shocked the Disney crowd by openly celebrating her love of sex, drugs, and psychedelic pop music.
And we hope she continues to let that Miley out from time to time.
