(Reuters) – Miley
Cyrus, the pop star who caused a sensation with her raunchy performance
at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, was named best artist of 2013 by
the cable TV network on Tuesday.
MTV said the singer
dominated the music charts and the headlines with the release of her
album “Bangerz,” her jaw-dropping performances at awards shows and her
hosting stint on the television sketch show “Saturday Night Live.”
“She
is the third artist to receive the distinction of being named MTV’s
Best Artist of the Year with past honorees including Katy Perry (2012)
and One Direction (2011),” MTV said in a statement announcing the
results.
Cyrus, 21, was
also ranked MTV.com top artist, based on fan visits to the site, and had
the most watched video of 2013 with her live performance with singer
Robin Thicke at the VMAs.
In
an MTV documentary released in October, the “We Can’t Stop” singer
admitted that she was out to shock and to push the boundaries. She said
she was unapologetic for her provocative performance with Thicke.
Cyrus,
the former Disney Channel star who shot to fame in the show “Hannah
Montana,” has made a concerted effort to shed her good-girl teen image
with her suggestive performances and revealing outfits.
Hip-hop
artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis came in second on the MTV list of
best artists for 2013, with Justin Timberlake, rapper Kanye West and
British boy band One Direction rounding out the top five.
Katy
Perry was No. 6, followed by rapper Drake, R&B singer Bruno Mars,
17-year-old New Zealand-born singer/songwriter Lorde and Lady Gaga.
