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Miley Cyrus Reveals Rare Condition That Shapes Her Signature Voice

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 28, 2025.

By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2025 — Singer and actress Miley Cyrus says a rare voice disorder called Reinke’s edema is behind her famous raspy voice — and also makes singing live very hard.

The 32-year-old pop star recently discussed the condition during an interview on Apple Music’s "The Zane Lowe Show," CBS News reported.

She described Reinke’s edema as a type of “abuse of the vocal cords,” and said she’s had it for a long time.

"Being 21 and staying up and drinking and smoking and partying after every show does not help. But also, in my case, it does not cause it. My voice always sounded like this, so it's a part of my unique anatomy," Cyrus explained. "So I have this very large polyp on my vocal cord, which has given me a lot of the tone and the texture that has made me who I am."

It has also made performing difficult.

"It's extremely difficult to perform with because it's like running a marathon with ankle weights on," she said.

Even talking at the end of the day can be tiring, she added.

"I'll call my mom, and she'll go, 'Oh you sound like you're talking through a radio,' and that's how you know I'm really tired because it creates that like ultimate vocal fry."

What Is Reinke’s edema?

Reinke’s edema is a condition that causes swelling in the vocal cords. It’s also known as vocal cord edema or polypoid corditis, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

It’s most common in people who smoke for a long time, but it can also happen in people with acid reflux or those who use their voice a lot, CBS News said.

In some cases, the swelling forms growths that look like polyps on the vocal cords.

The condition is very rare — less than 1% of the general population have it, the clinic noted.

Symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can include:

• Hoarseness or raspiness

• A deeper-sounding voice

• Trouble speaking loudly

There are both surgical and nonsurgical ways to treat Reinke’s edema.

Surgery may involve using a laser or small tools to remove the swollen tissue. Speech therapy and treating root causes — like quitting smoking or taking acid reflux medicine — can also help.

But Cyrus said she’s avoiding surgery for now.

She's "not willing to sever [the tissue] because the chance of waking up from a surgery and not sounding like myself is a probability." CBS News reported.

Even though the condition makes performing difficult, Cyrus said it’s also part of what makes her voice distinctive: “My voice is super unique because of it.”

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted May 2025

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