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With the upcoming release of noah cyrus’s debut album, nc-17, the singer is navigating her way to the spotlight on her own terms.

- Ilana Kaplan

“You were the right face at the wrong time, love/ I only wish I would’ve known it,” croons Noah Cyrus in a near-whisper in the acoustic video for “Almost Famous.” The breakup ballad hasn’t been formally released as a single, but it has surely resonated with listeners—so much so that a fan got a tattoo of the track’s title. “That’s the most amazing experience I’ve had so far,” says Cyrus, reflecting on her followers’ responses to her music. Clad in an oversize red hoodie and colossal black boots, she melts into the leather couch in a posh SoHo studio loft. Casual, comfortable, and full of candor is the best way to describe Cyrus. “I’m super honest,” she says. “Ask me and I’ll answer honestly.” And she does just that—as we chat, the singer-songwriter explains that she’s flattered by such displays of appreciation for her work, but admits that they do make her a bit uneasy. “[Fans have tweeted], ‘I’m getting that tattooed,’ and I wanted to tweet back, ‘No, don’t do that! Don’t get me tattooed. You might not like me forever,’” she says, laughing.