Miley Cyrus Reveals the Surprising Way She Landed on the Avatar 3 Soundtrack

Miley Cyrus is no stranger to major movie soundtracks, but her latest cinematic collaboration came about in an unexpectedly bold way. The singer has revealed that she landed a song on Avatar: Fire and Ash—the third installment in James Cameron’s blockbuster franchise—by simply putting herself out there.

In a recent interview with People magazine, Cyrus explained that her song “Dream as One” made its way onto the film’s soundtrack after a chance encounter with director James Cameron at the 2024 D23 fan expo. Both Cyrus and Cameron were being honored as Disney Legends at the event, where Cyrus also made history as the youngest-ever recipient of the prestigious award.

A direct pitch to James Cameron

“I kind of throw it out there as I always do,” Cyrus said, describing her approach. When the conversation turned to Cameron’s long-running work on Avatar, she decided to speak up. “I told him, ‘Just let me know if you ever need any music,’” she recalled.

According to Cyrus, the interaction felt natural rather than forced. She added that Cameron jokingly refers to the two of them as “Legends-in-law,” underscoring the easy rapport that developed between them. Not long after, Cyrus was invited to contribute music to Avatar: Fire and Ash.

“Dream as One” and a softer side of epic cinema

“Dream as One,” an emotional ballad featured in the film, was co-written by Cyrus alongside Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, and Simon Franglen. The song has already earned critical recognition, securing a nomination for Best Original Song at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards and landing on the shortlist for the Academy Awards.

Cyrus has said she intentionally took a different approach when crafting the track. “I wanted to surrender and soften and become very vulnerable and tender,” she told USA TODAY earlier this month. “That’s something that can be lacking in these huge, epic films filled with so much action.”

A pattern of self-made opportunities

This isn’t the first time Cyrus has landed a soundtrack role by advocating for herself. She revealed that she used a similar strategy to secure her song “Beautiful That Way” for The Last Showgirl, starring Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis.

“I did the same thing to Jamie Lee Curtis,” Cyrus said with a laugh. “That’s how I ended up doing The Last Showgirl.”

Her proactive mindset extends beyond individual projects. Cyrus said she attended the 2025 Academy Awards not only to celebrate film but also to network. “Everybody that came up and introduced themselves, I said, ‘If you need any music, I’m around,’” she explained.

From pop star to soundtrack staple

In recent years, Cyrus has increasingly become a go-to artist for emotionally resonant film music, blending her pop sensibilities with cinematic storytelling. Her willingness to pitch herself directly—rather than wait for an invitation—has become a defining part of her creative strategy.

As Avatar: Fire and Ash prepares for release, Cyrus’ story serves as a reminder that even at the highest levels of the industry, initiative still matters. For the singer, asking the question was all it took to land one of the biggest soundtrack opportunities of her career.