Miley Cyrus opens up about her rare vocal condition, Reinke’s edema, how it affects her performances, treatment choices, and her recent health challenges.
During an open conversation on Apple Music’s “The Zane Lowe Show,” Miley Cyrus spoke honestly about how Reinke’s edema has shaped not just her music career, but her overall well-being. She explained the physical challenge of performing with the condition, saying, “I have this very large polyp on my vocal cord… it’s extremely difficult to perform with because it’s like running a marathon with ankle weights on.”
Looking back at her younger years, Cyrus admitted that late nights, drinking, smoking, and partying after shows certainly didn’t help her voice. But she made one thing clear — those habits didn’t cause her condition. “My voice always sounded like this,” she emphasized.
She described Reinke’s edema as a kind of double-edged sword. “It’s part of my unique anatomy… it’s given me a lot of the tone and texture that has made me who I am,” she said, acknowledging both the burden and the creative gift it brings. Because of the strain it puts on her voice — and the emotional toll of touring — Cyrus has also shared that she currently has “no desire” to go back on the road.
Reinke’s edema, sometimes called polypoid corditis, is a benign condition where fluid builds up in the outer layer of the vocal cords, causing noticeable swelling and sometimes polyps. Common symptoms include a raspy or deeper voice, trouble projecting, hoarseness, and vocal fatigue — all issues that can be especially challenging for someone whose profession depends entirely on their voice.
Although rare, affecting less than 1% of the general population, the disorder is well known in fields where the voice is heavily used — from singers to teachers to public speakers.
Treatment for Reinke’s edema can vary widely. Many start with conservative approaches like voice therapy, lifestyle changes (managing reflux, avoiding smoking, cutting back alcohol), and periods of vocal rest. Surgery — typically involving a laser or precise micro-tools to remove swollen tissue — is another option, but it’s not without risk. For professional singers, any change to the vocal cords can alter the sound they’re known for. That’s why Cyrus has publicly said she doesn’t plan to undergo surgery, explaining that she fears she would “no longer sound like myself.”
Her disclosure comes after a string of other health challenges. Cyrus previously shared that she suffered a “traumatic” ovarian cyst rupture just days before hosting a live New Year’s Eve special — and performed anyway, despite intense pain. She has also spoken about a severe infection she developed while shooting a music video, an incident serious enough to put her in the ICU.
With her resources, Cyrus has access to world-class medical care, specialists, and ongoing monitoring — something most people dealing with similar issues simply don’t have. For many, vocal disorders go untreated or are only addressed when they severely affect daily life. Cyrus’s openness highlights that gap, while also raising awareness about the importance of vocal health, early diagnosis, and advocating for accessible care for everyone — not just those with celebrity-level support.
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