Miley Cyrus recently shared that she has a medical condition affecting her singing career called Reinke’s edema. This non cancerous condition causes swelling in the vocal cords and is more common in women, often linked to long term smoking. Cyrus explained that she has a large polyp, which is an unusual growth of tissue, on her vocal cord.
According to the NY Post, This polyp plays a part in giving her voice its signature raspy quality, something that has become a defining feature of her music. However, the same polyp also makes it much harder for her to sing live. The singer compared the physical toll of performing with this condition to “running a marathon with ankle weights on.”
While she admits that her past lifestyle choices, like staying out late, drinking, smoking, and partying after shows, did not help her vocal health, she made it clear that these habits did not cause her Reinke’s edema. Page Six reported that she said her voice has always had this unique sound. The condition, though difficult, has also shaped the distinct tone and texture of her voice.
Miley Cyrus’ voice has been affected by disease
Even though performing live is a major challenge, Cyrus has decided not to have surgery to remove the polyp. She is worried that surgery could change the unique sound of her voice and that risk is more important to her than the possible benefits of the procedure. This choice shows how committed she is to keeping her one-of-a-kind vocal identity.
Reinke’s edema has had a big effect on Cyrus’s career, especially when it comes to touring. She has chosen to do fewer concerts to reduce the physical strain of live performances. Her high energy, large scale shows, along with her insistence on singing live every time, make it impossible for her to tour as much as she used to.
Es impresionante la voz de Miley Cyrus en vivo. No hay nadie pero nadie en la Tierra con este vocal range. pic.twitter.com/U11jBvhlQG
— Milton Friedom5(@MiltonFriedom5) February 5, 2024
Her refusal to lip sync adds to the challenge since every performance puts a lot of pressure on her vocal cords. She also recognizes the financial side of cutting back on touring; with fewer shows, big tours may not make enough money to cover costs like paying her crew and other expenses.
Besides dealing with Reinke’s edema, Cyrus has faced other health problems recently that have put her in the hospital. In that last case, she thought she was going to die.
