Why Miley Cyrus and bodyguard at last year’s Grammys sparked so many conspiracy theories

Last year’s Grammys brought immense attention to Miley Cyrus, though it wasn't just because she won her first Grammy.

The 67^th Grammys grows ever closer, taking place next week, and for those of you in the US, you’ll be getting ready to find out which musical artist is taking home the award on Sunday (2 February), while us in the UK will have to wait until Monday (3 February) to watch it in full.

With Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Chappell Roan - amongst many others - all set to perform and battle it out to see who’s the true pop star, it’s going to be an amazing event.

Held in LA this year, it’s going to focus on helping the victims of the devastating LA wildfires which have ravaged California since the start of the year, with CEO Harvey Mason Jr and Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt saying in a recent statement (via The Independent) that additional funds would be raised to 'support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours'.

It’s such a popular event, that anyone who is anyone will be there, and what they do, wear or sing will catch the attention of fans all over the world.

But while we’ll have to wait to see what happens this year, the last Grammys was all about Cyrus and her bodyguard.

The 32-year-old singer and Hannah Montana star went on to beat Eilish, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and SZA to the 'Record of the Year' in 2024 for her 'revenge' track 'Flowers'.

This song, which was rumoured to be about ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth, ended up costing her dearly after she was sued for allegedly copying Bruno Mars’ song, If I Was Your Man, leading her lawyers to then file a dismissal.

Online users were questioning the bodyguard's umbrella (TikTok/GRAMMYs)

However, the chart-topping song was awarded the Best Pop Solo Performance, so a hit is a hit.

Regarding her Grammy attendance, it wasn’t her controversial acceptance speech, which pointedly neglected her father Billy Ray Cyrus, her barely-there golden beaded and tasseled gown, or her 1980s-esque down-do that had people talking.

It was a little detail about her bodyguard that had fans all up in arms and deep into the conspiracies on Twitter.

Eagle-eyed viewers of the show had something to say about a video of the star walking the red carpet alongside her bodyguard after fans spotted something odd he was holding in his hand.

The man can be seen walking alongside the 'The Climb' chart-topper with a large umbrella held in his hand which is closest to the singer.

Oddly, his index finger is laid flat on top of it - which you can see here:

To this, social media users think it’s actually a means of concealing a 'firearm' or 'assault umbrella', while someone else even thought his ‘left arm is longer than right arm’ and it’s a ‘gimmick’.

"Real weapon concealed by the black coat. Oldest trick in bodyguard book," they went on to claim.

"Bullet proof shield or concealed firearm," another speculated.

Others, however, decided to get their rational heads on, and call it like they see it.

"It has been raining in that area I believe so an umbrella shouldn’t be all that surprising," one wrote.

Another pointed out: "They were expecting lots of rain in California. Crazy to have an umbrella."

LADbible Group has reached out to reps' of Miley Cyrus for comment.