Miley Cyrus Chokes Up Performing "Wrecking Ball" For the First Time at The iHeartRadio Music Festival

Miley performs her chart topper for the very first time.

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Complex Original

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Caught in the maelstrom of media scrutiny of her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, her image, and her twerking, Miley Cyrus is in a very vulnerable place. It may be lost in the carefree spirit of her previous single, "We Can't Stop," or even in her verse on Mike WiLL Made It's "23," but it is readily apparent in the content and vibe of current single "Wrecking Ball."

During her performance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival on Saturday, MIley performed "Wrecking Ball" for the first time, and it was a poignant moment for the young pop star. Miley choked up several times, most audibly towards the end, with her voice cracking as she sang the bridge: "Don't you ever say I just walked away, I will always want you." On other parts of the song, however, Miley's voice is powerful and refined, demonstrating the talent that has made her one of the biggest artists in the world.

There is a reason why "Wrecking Ball" is already a career milestone for Miley as her first single to ever top the Billboard charts. While the video turned heads with the provocative nudity, the raw emotion this song conveys is undeniable.

Miley is almost two weeks away from her much-anticipated album, Bangerz. The album will have appearances from Future, Britney Spears, Nelly, and French Montana, and includes both "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball." October 8 is looking like it could be a watershed moment for pop music, as we wait to see what the commercial and critical response will be to such a far-reaching album.

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