Miley Cyrus fans have mocked veteran disco star Amanda Lear after she accused the singer of copying her 1970s song for a track on her new album.
Lear claimed Cyrus' 'REDLIGHTS', the sixth track on her new album Bass Persuades, bears a striking resemblance to her 1978 song 'The Sphinx'.
The accusation has sparked a heated debate online, with some listeners insisting the melodies sound remarkably similar. Others have dismissed the comparison, with one bluntly declaring: 'None of us know you.'
Amanda Lear's Fame Becomes a Point of Debate
Another X user similarly mocked Lear's streaming numbers while dismissing her claim, writing: 'it's always a khia with barely any monthly listeners, lack of streaming screaming that their song was stolen like trust me none of us know you!'
it’s always a khia with barely any monthly listeners, lack of streaming screaming that their song was stolen like trust me none of us know you! @amandaleartweet pic.twitter.com/8bNMjT246C
— rain (@ilovearedflag) September 20, 2026
The comment was met with a different response from another X user, who defended Lear and appeared to take aim at those dismissing her as an unknown figure.
'Uncultured people in the quotes saying "who is this khia" as if she isn't a disco legend, 60s supermodel & a muse to both Salvador Dali & Andy Warhol,' the user wrote.
The exchange has since added another layer to the controversy: whether Cyrus' younger audience simply knows little about one of the most recognisable figures in European disco.
Amanda Lear Accuses Miley Cyrus of Copying 'The Sphinx'
Lear made the accusation after Cyrus released Bass Persuades on 18 September.
Taking to Instagram, the veteran singer sarcastically wrote: 'Thank you Miley for copying my song The Sphinx, I am flattered.'
Her comments came after listeners began comparing 'REDLIGHTS' with 'The Sphinx', which appeared on Lear's Never Trust a Pretty Face album.
Le Parisien subsequently listened to both recordings and reported that the melodies appeared identical, although Cyrus' version is performed at a faster tempo.
Lear later told the publication that there were potentially two ways forward: an arrangement or a lawsuit.
There has been no reported lawsuit against Cyrus over the song, however, and the accusation has not been established as plagiarism.
Cyrus has also not publicly responded to Lear's claim.
The published credits for 'REDLIGHTS' name Cyrus and Michael Pollack as composers and lyricists. Lear and 'The Sphinx' are not listed among the credited writers.
Who Is Amanda Lear?
For those asking the question online, Lear has a career that stretches back decades before Cyrus entered the music industry.
She became prominent as a model during the 1960s and was closely associated with surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, who regarded her as a muse.
Salvador Dali With Amanda Lear, Port Lligat, September 1974#art #arts pic.twitter.com/xRzP9vbrrI
— Luiz Santos Official (@LuizSantosMusic) September 7, 2026
Lear subsequently established herself as a singer and became particularly associated with European disco during the 1970s and 1980s.
Her music career included albums such as I Am a Photograph, Sweet Revenge and Never Trust a Pretty Face, the latter featuring 'The Sphinx'.
She was also connected to a number of major figures from the worlds of music and art, including David Bowie and Andy Warhol.
Her reputation as a European disco icon is why some social-media users pushed back against those questioning her relevance after the accusation against Cyrus emerged.
The online debate has therefore produced an unusual split, with some users dismissing Lear as an unfamiliar name, while others argue that not knowing her is a reflection of generational differences in music knowledge.
Fans Debate Whether Miley Copied the Song
The central question remains whether the similarities between 'REDLIGHTS' and 'The Sphinx' amount to copying.
Some listeners have argued that the resemblance is too pronounced to dismiss, particularly when comparing the melodies and vocal lines.
Others have heard similarities but do not believe they necessarily prove that Cyrus or her collaborators deliberately copied Lear's work.
The disagreement is likely to continue as more listeners compare the recordings for themselves.
Lear has also suggested that she does not intend to simply let the matter disappear, telling Le Parisien that she would consider either an arrangement or legal action.
The situation is further complicated by the song's production history. 'The Sphinx' was written by Lear and produced by German producer Anthony Monn, who worked closely with her during her disco years.
For now, however, there has been no legal finding that 'REDLIGHTS' infringes Lear's work.
Instead, the dispute remains a clash between a veteran artist who says her song was copied and listeners who are divided over just how similar the two tracks really are.
And while some Miley Cyrus fans may insist that 'None of us know you', the controversy has introduced a new generation of listeners to Amanda Lear, whether they knew her before or not.
