Photo: (MTV)
What does Miley Cyrus have in common with Kelis, Nelly, Madonna, and Kanye West? Pharrell Williams has collaborated with and mentored all of them.
When a budding star wants to go straight to the number one spot, they hit up Pharrell's cell phone (or probably more like his manager's). He's notorious for creating some of the best beats in music, including "Hot in Hurr,""Drop It Like It's Hot," "Hollaback Girl," "Blurred Lines," and "Get Lucky." And if you caught the documentary, "Miley: The Movement," you know that Pharrell is putting his golden touch not only on Cyrus' Bangerz but also on her entire outlook on life.
Miley credited Pharrell with being not only interested, but supportive of her transition from cute-as-pie Hannah Montana to the twerking troublemaker she is today. He was the friend she called when she wanted to cut her hair, and the person she phoned post VMAs for a much-needed pep talk.
+ Watch "Miley: The Movement" And See What We Mean About Pharrell
So, what makes Pharrell not only super awesome to work with, but also a great friend to have? Here's 6 reasons (though we're sure there are a lot more!)
+ He Supports His Friends
Pharrell probably has people lined up to be his bestie (okay, second bestie, after his wife Helen). That's because he's extremely supportive and encouraging towards his buds. In "Miley: The Movement," Pharrell notes that he truly believes in Miley's talent, and thinks she is way bigger than anyone expects. He said that he was impressed with her right away, noting, "when she started talking it was like boom – I'm telling you the world thinks they know this girl, but my thing to you is – don't be fooled." It's great to be cheered on by your friends, but when it's Pharrell? Miley, you are one seriously lucky chick.
+ He's All About Education
Earlier this year Pharrell wrote an op ed for Huffington Post Impact with Connie Yowell, the Director of Education Grantmaking at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Pharrell took a positive spin on the system that many claim is broken and wrote that, "working together we can continue to support teachers, students, school administrators and other leaders who want our children to have the best possible opportunities for success." That's just the kind attitude we want in a mentor -- someone who can see a ray of light when all anyone else sees is rain clouds.
+ He Walks The Walk
Photo: Wallpaper
If Pharrell is your mentor, you know he is going to push you to work harder and be better every day -- which is just the kind of motivation all of us can use every now and then! Not only that, he creates opportunities for young people to succeed. In 2008 he founded From One Hand To Another, with the mission, "to change the world one kid at a time by giving them the tools and resources to meet their unique potential." Pharrell is making any army of mentees by opening the $35million Pharrell Williams Research Center in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The center will offer after-school activities like homework help, music classes, and you guessed it --- mentoring --- to high school students.
+ He Thinks You Should Date Your Bestie
He writes a lot of songs about love, so it makes sense that Pharrell is in it to win it when it comes to his wife and baby mama, Helen Lasichanh. The usually private Pharrell recently opened up to Hot 97 about his long term romance, saying, "I'm not no relationship expert, but I just recommend that you get with your bestie. Because y'all agree on everything. This is the person that when the other girls were tripping you could call her and be like 'She saying…', and she could talk to you about whatever," Williams said. "So you guys started with a very honest and open rapport. You never had to hide anything." A role model for healthy relationships? The world could use a few more of those!
+ He Keeps It Clean
Photo: Pharrell Williams
The pressure of being in the limelight has a way of getting to many stars. All the parties, stress of life on the road, and bad habits can catch up to people, but the 40-year-old Pharrell doesn't really look a day over 25. His secret? He washes his face. Seriously. That's all.
+ He Lets Miley Be Miley
The test of a true friend and mentor is --- will they accept you no matter what? Even when the rest of the world is questioning her every move (and VMA performance), Pharrell is 100% that guy. Not only that, he is totally into Miley's growth and self expression. It was Pharrell who told Miley that she would look "dope" no matter how she did her hair, and told her not to worry about what the critics say. "Throughout this entire process I've been like, yes, yes, continue to do what you want to do and how you want to do it," said Pharrell, during "Miley: The Movement."
So whether he is creating opportunities and resources for the future music superstars of tomorrow, or mentoring Miley --- arguably one of the biggest pop stars on the planet right now, Pharrell is doing his best to just be the best BFF in the biz.
So Miley, we just have one question for you --- what's his phone number (or his manager's --- we're not picky)?
If you can't get enough Miley, try unlocking clips from Sunday night's 90 minute bonus special!
Tune in to the delux edition of "Miley: The Movement" on Sunday 10/6 at 8pm ET on MTV.
