Miley Cyrus Shares Insights on Rare Voice Disorder Shaping Her Distinctive Sound

Celebrity singer and actress Miley Cyrus has opened up about a rare vocal condition known as Reinke's edema that influences her signature raspy voice. At 32 years old, Cyrus explained that this condition has been a part of her vocal identity for a long time, contributing significantly to her unique tone. During an interview on Apple Music's "The Zane Lowe Show," she described Reinke's edema as a type of 'abuse of the vocal cords,' although she clarified that her throat issues are largely due to her inherent anatomy rather than lifestyle choices like partying or smoking, which she acknowledges can exacerbate vocal problems.

Cyrus shared that she has a sizable polyp on her vocal cords, which produces her distinctive raspy sound but also complicates her performances. She compared singing with this condition to "running a marathon with ankle weights," highlighting how physically exhausting it can be to perform or even speak at the end of a busy day. For instance, she mentioned how her voice becomes notably tired, sounding like she's speaking through a radio, especially after a demanding day.

Reinke's edema, also called vocal cord edema or polypoid corditis, is characterized by swelling in the vocal cords, often resulting from prolonged smoking, acid reflux, or extensive voice use. Its rarity means it affects less than 1% of the general population. Symptoms typically include hoarseness, raspiness, a deeper voice, and difficulty speaking loudly.

Treatment options involve both surgical and nonsurgical methods. Surgical removal of the swelling using lasers or small instruments is common, while speech therapy and addressing underlying causes like quitting smoking or managing acid reflux are also beneficial. Nevertheless, Cyrus has chosen to avoid surgery for now, wary of losing her unique voice quality that she believes is partially due to her condition.

Despite the challenges, Miley Cyrus views her condition as integral to her vocal identity, stating that it makes her voice one of a kind. Her openness sheds light on the importance of understanding voice disorders and their impact on performers who rely heavily on their vocal health.

Sources: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-miley-cyrus-reveals-rare-condition.html