Teen star to perform 'super-personal' songs at Stadium of Fire

Ace Stryker

Teen pop artist Miley Cyrus says she's thrilled to be headlining at this year's Stadium of Fire event on July Fourth in Provo -- just don't expect her to be as excited about the fireworks.

"I actually am really, really scared of fireworks, so I would always sit in the car," she said during a conference call with Utah reporters on Monday. "Any time pyro goes off, I'm, like, crossing my fingers. I really don't like it."

Cyrus will perform a 45-minute set Friday in Brigham Young University's LaVell Edwards Stadium. It will be the first time that many of her fans can hear songs from her new CD, "Breakout," due in stores July 22. Cyrus said she's not nervous, but the debut of the new songs marks a more up-close-and-personal sharing of her private life.

"It'll be my first show with all my new songs," she said. "It's super-personal."

Music critics have lauded Cyrus's second release as a growing-up. Cyrus said she doesn't necessarily see it that way -- but she did say Friday's event would be a chance to show off increasing levels of talent and professionalism that come with more time in the business.

"I think they make it up," she said. "When I'm up there and they see me rocking out, that totally reflects who I am."

Cyrus said she's been to Utah on tour several times before and is excited to return. She faced a close call Monday when she tripped climbing into her trailer after a recording session, spraining her ankle. But, she said, it won't keep her from performing.

"That was just me being totally silly," she said.

Meanwhile, in Utah, the singer is already making waves in her other role as star of Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana." Just days in advance of Cyrus's arrival, BYU researchers have released a study saying the "Hannah" show and others like it have a positive effect on children's body image.

The study reviewed 162 characters across kids' TV sitcoms and found that the number of overweight and obese children on screen was roughly proportional to the real world -- 15 percent on TV, 17 percent in reality. The researchers, who were led by communications professor Tom Robinson, also found that those characters were generally portrayed positively and were not associated with being less happy, less outgoing or less intelligent.

Cyrus said she regularly works out and supports a healthy lifestyle, but she encouraged her fans to be comfortable with who they are above all else.

"My mom always tells me that my greatest asset is my smile," she said. "Be happy and be comfortable in your skin. That's the most beautiful thing."

• Ace Stryker can be reached at 344-2556 or astryker@heraldextra.com.