Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

On Sunday night, Miley Cyrus returned to the Billboard Music Awards stage to perform her new single "Malibu" — and she killed it. The distraction-free performance put the spotlight on her stunning vocals and honest lyrics. It was also incredibly emotional — Cyrus broke down crying while singing the low-key, country-tinged track, which was inspired by falling back in love with Liam Hemsworth. In fact, it's hard to believe that it's the same girl who took the stage sporting neon face paint at the BBMAs in 2014.

Three years ago, she did a duet of The Beatles' "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" with the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne. That performance was pretty much peak "old Miley" — she was entering her Dead Petz phase of overtly sexual performances, and pretty much everything she did was loud, shiny, and over-the-top. Tonight's raw, pared-down performance of "Malibu" underscores just how much Cyrus has grown up as an artist, and it was wonderful to witness.

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On Saturday, Billy Ray Cyrus gave Elite Daily some insight into his daughter's new direction — which, as he sees it, isn't so new after all. "When I listen to ["Malibu"], I hear a lot of her roots. I hear a lot of the influences that I heard her playing as a little girl," he said. "Back in the day, [she would] maybe put on a CD as we were driving back and forth to the set of Hannah Montana and she would be playing, you know, Eddie James and Johnny Cash… and all these great artists that a lot of kids at that time weren’t listening to." He added, "I hear a lot of those influences in what she’s doing now, and I’m loving it."

Pops isn't the only one. People watching the BBMAs flooded Twitter with praise for Cyrus' moving performance: "The real @MileyCyrus is back"; "Those vocals were amazing!"; "could cry watching miley cyrus perform right now seeing how much peace it looks like she's found"; "Love LOVED seeing the raw emotions on that stage tonight."

Watch part of the performance below and check out the best fan reactions.

The real @MileyCyrus is back ????????
— Kathelin (@Kathelin_pikus) May 22, 2017

@MileyCyrus Congratulations on the performance babe, it was one of the most exciting things I've ever seen, we loved.
— bea (@markmycyrus) May 22, 2017

@MileyContent @MileyCyrus wowwww i got a goosebumps ????
— AnisAreena (@areenalim) May 22, 2017

@MileyCyrus you haven't lost your inspirational touch at all! Love LOVED seeing the raw emotions on that stage tonight. We love you! #BBMAs
— Dominique Roberts (@Mr2Legendary) May 22, 2017

Omg @MileyCyrus I've missed you so much!! ????? #BBMAs
— Morghan Cope (@morgcope) May 22, 2017

mood bc of Miley Cyrus #Malibu preformance #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/6FnuiJeKqX
— t.d (@itsmetaytay12) May 22, 2017

MILEY SLAY ME @MileyCyrus TAKE ME TO MALIBU
— ♛DEE-VA♛ (@deeva_xoxo99) May 22, 2017

For everyone that fell asleep on her... don't jump on that band wagon. #sincehannahmontana @MileyCyrus #malibu #hearteyesandsoul pic.twitter.com/pZszp7bWxe
— Kylie (@ky1921) May 22, 2017

Miley Cyrus grew up tonight. #BBMAS pic.twitter.com/Ahmj2zz94c
— ra-mel ?? (@itsRamel) May 22, 2017

could cry watching miley cyrus perform right now seeing how much peace it looks like she's found
— lauren sanderson (@laurenthellama) May 22, 2017

Those vocals were amazing! #mileybu you're a dream come true @MileyCyrus pic.twitter.com/2arUQps2V1
— Alberto Márquez (@This_isAlbert) May 22, 2017

So Proud Of Miley Cyrus as if She is My Child ?
She Slayed that #BBMAs Stage ?
You go Girl Welcome Back ?#Mileybu #MileyBBMAs #Malibu pic.twitter.com/d0jP9Md5t8
— HANIA ☮ (@Hania_Ismail221) May 22, 2017

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Miley Cyrus Breaks Down Singing "Malibu"

Miley Cyrus Breaks Down In Emotional BBMAs Performance

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