Global pop sensation Miley Cyrus has opened up about her unconventional and proactive approach to landing her music in major Hollywood films. The singer-songwriter recently revealed that she directly pitches her work to filmmakers, a strategy that successfully led to her contributing the track "Dream As One" for James Cameron's epic sequel, "Avatar: Fire and Ash".
The D23 Expo Pitch That Sealed the Deal
Cyrus recalled the pivotal moment during an interview with People magazine. She met the legendary director at the 2024 D23 Expo and saw a perfect opportunity. Knowing Cameron had been deeply immersed in the Avatar universe for years, she strategically introduced the idea. "I kind of throw it out there as I always do...I already knew the answer to, 'So what have you been up to?'" Cyrus explained. Her pitch was simple yet effective: "Just lemme know if you ever need any music."
This casual offer, as it turned out, came at an ideal time during the development of the third film in the planned five-part saga. "Avatar: Fire and Ash" hit theatres on December 19. Cyrus described the collaboration as an organic process, adding that Cameron even affectionately calls her and her team "Legends in law."
A Proactive Strategy for Film Music
Cyrus's pursuit of film projects doesn't stop at fan expos. The "Flowers" singer admitted that her attendance at the 2025 Oscars was primarily a networking mission to connect with filmmakers. "That's why I went to the Oscars this year. Everybody that came up and introduced themselves, I said, 'Well, if you need any music, I'm around,'" she stated.
This method has proven successful before. She followed a similar path to create "Beautiful That Way" for "The Last Showgirl" after pitching to actress and producer Jamie Lee Curtis. "That's how I ended up doing 'Last Showgirl' and now being a part of 'Avatar'," Cyrus noted, highlighting a consistent career tactic.
The Powerful Link Between Song and Cinema
For Cyrus, the magic of film music lies in its lasting emotional connection with the audience. She expressed a deep personal attachment to songs created for movies. "I really feel myself attached to songs. There's certain songs that even if they were written for the film or just a song used in the film, like 'I Will Always Love You,' you immediately think of the movie itself and they become embedded," she elaborated.
Her comments underscore the timeless power of a great film soundtrack, where music and visual storytelling fuse to create iconic cultural moments. By taking the initiative and directly approaching visionary directors like James Cameron, Miley Cyrus is actively carving out a significant space for herself in this legacy, moving beyond the charts to leave a mark on the big screen.
