Miley Cyrus wants to rid ‘cookie-cutter’ image, says she says what she wants on new EP

Miley Cyrus finding her voice on new EP

New York — It’s only been a year since Miley Cyrus released her first official studio album, “Breakout.” But the 16-year-old says in that time she’s found her voice as an artist — and that’s reflected on her new EP.

“I think I’ve been able to give myself more say. I think at first I was a little more afraid of what I could and what I could not say,” the singer and actress said before performing at the “VH1 Divas” concert Thursday night.

“The Times of Our Lives,” released last month exclusively at Walmart, features the hit tune “Party In the U.S.A.,” which is currently No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The album includes songs about love and relationship drama.

Cyrus says she’s growing as a musician and a woman — and she’s not afraid to show it.

“I think about it anytime I write a song, I’m like, “Why can’t I say that? Why can’t you say what you feel?” the “Hannah Montana” star asked.

“There shouldn’t be an age or a certain kind of cookie-cutter way of doing things. You can say what you want to. It’s about being an artist. That’s what an artist is.”

On the Net:

www.mileycyrus.com