In what might have been one of her most hotly anticipated appearances of all time, Miley Cyrus has officially returned to the public spotlight after her shock split with Liam Hemsworth was announced at the MTV VMAs.
The fact that she performed her song Slide Away for the first time on-stage was emotional enough on its own, especially given the widespread belief it was written about the coupleโs breakup.
But there was another detail about the performance that seemed a little pointed โ and fans reckon it was Mileyโs subtle way to throw shade at her ex.
The 26-year-old looked downright stunning as she took to the MTV Awards stage (note: she appeared to skip out entirely on the red carpet), wearing an itsy LBD and rocking a wet-look hairstyle.
While Mileyโs lyrics couldnโt have been more poignant given her recent split from Liam, the verses were quite harmless on paper.
โMove on, weโre not 17, Iโm not who I used to be. You say that everything changed. Youโre right, weโre grown now,โ the song usually goes.
But Miley might have amended the lyrics somewhat during her performance, as she ended the emotional line, โYouโre right, Iโm grown now.โ
Eep.

Miley poured her heart out on-stage.
(Getty)Miley also grabbed the attention of every man and his dog across the world for her choice in plus-one for the night.
The singer decided to bring along none other than Kaitlynn Carter, according to various media outlets, who report the pair were spotted during her rehearsal at the venue.
Kaitlynn has been at the centre of rumours that have swirled since the breakup, especially when pictures of the two women kissing swept the world.
It is believed Kaitlynn was backstage during Mileyโs performance.
Kaitlynn shared a telling snap to her Instagram story on the day of Mileyโs performance.
(Instagram / @kaitlynn)But shade or no shade, thereโs no denying Miley absolutely nailed her performance at the awards show.
She released the song two weeks ago, shortly after it was confirmed she and Liam had decided to go their separate ways after seven months of marriage.
Miley has since been proactive in ensuring her side of the story is heard, as wild rumours continue to swirl.
Last week, she took to Twitter and Instagram to share a prolonged statement about reports claiming that she had cheated.
โI can accept that the life Iโve chosen means I must live completely open and transparent with my fans who I love, and the public, 100 per cent of the time,โ she began.
โWhat I cannot accept is being told Iโm lying to cover up a crime I havenโt committed. I have nothing to hide,โ she added.

The 26-year-old has been frank about the split on her social media channels.
(Getty)Like the lyrics in her emotional song, the singer insisted in her Twitter confession that she had grown up.
โThe truth is, once Liam & I reconciled,I meant it, & I was committed. There are NO secrets to uncover here. Iโve learned from every experience in my life. Iโm not perfect, I donโt want to be, itโs boring. Iโve grown up in front of you, but the bottom line is, I HAVE GROWN UP,โ she wrote.
Many fans praised Cyrus for coming forward.
โF**k the naysayers. Youโre talented & generous. More than most of us can say. Just do your art & thrive,โ one fan said.
Another wrote: โAs long as you are healthy and happy, I am happy. Thatโs all that matters. Iโm so proud to have been a fan of yours since the very beginning. Thank you for always being your genuine self.โ
Weโve got to hand it to the gal, sheโs definitely putting on a empowered display.
WATCH: Miley calls Liam the โcโ word when he pranks her: