NEW YORK – Miley Cyrus swanned onto the red carpet in a sheer beaded dress accentuated by a cream-colored acre of luxurious strands.
She gathered the crew who supported her in making her “Something Beautiful” visual album, as all, including mom Tish, turned toward the cameras.
“Everybody say ‘dysfunctional!’” Cyrus yelled, beaming.
The quip was indicative of Cyrus’ playful mood as she arrived at the Beacon Theatre June 6 to premiere the stylish, near-hourlong film companion to the “Something Beautiful” album that bowed May 30.
The debut at the Tribeca Film Festival prefaces the June 12, one-day-only appearance the film will make in theaters nationwide.
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Cyrus is the biggest contemporary pop star unveiling a film at this year’s festival, which runs through June 15, and the sold-out theater full of devotees who loudly sang along with her new material emphasized the prestige moment.
“There is a very intense amount of energy we’re sharing in this room,” she said during a post-screening chat with the audience, which included a Cyrus-led singalong of her 2009 hit, “The Climb.”
Intensity reigned throughout the 13 clips, with Cyrus donning fashion both sophisticated and sleek, dancing in fishnets and dispatching an industrial wind machine for added visual zip.
She’s the Pied Piper of feral emotions, slightly dangerous but a lot of fun, her penetrating gaze daring you to see what awaits.
“There’s nothing more beautiful on the planet than deep emotion,” Cyrus said during her talkback.
The “Something Beautiful” record is inspired by Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” – a concept album connected to special memories with one of her brothers, she tells USA TODAY on the red carpet – and Cyrus’ videos unfold with a loose connection that is all about feeling, much like the most memorable selections in the concept album annals.
There isn’t any filler in Cyrus’ album or visual companion, which she said took about two weeks to shoot, and from the pink clouds and sunsets of “Golden Burning Sun” to the blue-gray shading of the Madonna-esque “Reborn,” creativity dominates.
These are the standouts.
‘More to Lose’
As the sparkly pop bounce of “End of the World” fades into a screen of white light, a close-up image of Cyrus comes into view. The beaded headwear is the focal point until the camera pushes in even closer to Cyrus’ perfectly shaded cheekbones, a most intimate angle for a most intimate song.
‘Walk of Fame’
The most compelling track on an album full of soaring choruses now has an equally absorbing video. In a world of neon, glitter and stiletto boots, Cyrus writhes against walls and struts down sidewalks, notably the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The song is an irresistible club banger with a throbbing chorus and Cyrus adeptly matches the mood of seedy and glam.
She is visually arresting as she rolls around the ground, her eyes never losing the camera. Cuts to song guest Brittany Howard as she vocalizes add a flourish of drama, but nothing extra is needed with Cyrus as the subject.
The clip was filmed at 2 a.m. on a street that hadn’t seen much cleanup – “We had everything we needed … besides a broom,” she joked at the screening – and consequently led to Cyrus contracting an infection.
‘Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved’
Cyrus strides through empty rooms followed by the galloping beat of the song. She cuts a powerful image singing in the shadows of her favorite toy, the industrial fan, while showcasing staccato movements. But her steely gaze betrays a mischievous flicker.
Then model Naomi Campbell arrives for her feature on the song and she and Cyrus engage in a sexy-tough duet. The “pose” coda of the song is set to the pair romping in black bodices and fishnets, exchanging piercing stares and strutting off together in mutual laughter ‒ girl power exemplified.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miley Cyrus celebrates ‘Something Beautiful’ film with mom Tish
