Miley Cyrus didn't wear a bikini "for two years" after 2013 VMA performance

Miley Cyrus (opens in new tab) and Demi Lovato (opens in new tab) yesterday as part of Miley's "Bright Minded: Live with Miley" series. The old friends talked about how they have survived while in isolation, their families, and the body image issues both faced while they grew up in the spotlight.

In conversation, Miley discussed her controversial performance with Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards (open in new tab) and how the reaction to it affected the way she viewed herself in the years that followed.

"I basically didn't wear shorts for two or three years," Miley admitted.

"I also stopped wearing skirts on stage, and after the VMAs, because I was wearing a cute nude bodysuit, people started comparing me to a turkey and putting turkeys in my outfits. I was so skinny, so pasty, and they kept putting me next to this turkey.

"It really, really hurt me to be body shamed like that. It really affected my personal life."

Miley went on to say that at the time she was playing up the persona of "the most confident girl on the planet," but in reality she felt like a fraud. She said, "I was so insecure on the inside that in my personal life I wouldn't wear a bathing suit or shorts. 'When I wore leotards and stuff, I wore four pairs of tights.'

Demi expressed regret for not being there for Miley during that period.

"First of all, I'm so sad that you went through that and I didn't know," Demi said. 'I wish I could have been there for you, but I didn't know. But I didn't know. I feel like we were close and distant at times. But if it happens again, call me. I'll walk you to Malibu.

Demi has faced struggles with body image (opens in new tab) and she recently opened up about it in her new song "I Love Me." (open in new tab) The singer told Miley that it is always important to be vocal about her journey.

"It's like I promised myself that when I got older I wanted to express what I never had," she said. 'I've talked about my struggle with food. Because doing so brought me closer to my fans. I feel like I helped young people learn to accept that when their bodies start to change."

The two continued to talk about their relationship, which began when they were only 14 years old and both working for the Disney Channel. (Open in new tab)

"You were always glowing, and I think that's why we bonded at 14," Demi said. 'I had a fucking gap in my teeth. That's when we saw something in each other. Maybe it was spirituality, maybe it was our hearts.

Finally, Demi brought the conversation back to the topic of self-isolation and how being home alone often contributes to negative thoughts.

"I think it's very important for anyone who has ever struggled with body image and things like that, when you're at home looking in the mirror, not to get lost in negative self-talk. 'You're going to look in the same mirror every day. You will have the same negative thoughts. It's important not to beat yourself up if you're nervous, if your diet isn't perfect, if your workout isn't perfect. This is a different and very scary time. We've never experienced anything like this in our lives, so everything is new to everyone and that's okay. Be kind to yourself. And take care of yourself as much as you can."

Miley plans to continue the series, releasing new episodes daily at 11:30 AM PT on her Instagram Live (opens in new tab).

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