By Madeline Rubio
STAFF WRITER

After her performance at the 2013 VMAs, Miley Cyrus is still shocking her audience, but this time in a positive way.

Miley Cyrus poses with homeless youth Jesse Helt at the 2014 Video Music Awards
Photo Credit: US Magazine

At the 2014 VMAs, Miley Cyrus was awarded “Video of the Year” for her song “Wrecking Ball,” but instead of accepting the award herself, she had 22-year-old Jesse Helt–a homeless adolescent from My Friend’s shelter in Hollywood, California–accept on her behalf.

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality,” Helt said in his speech. “I’ve survived in shelters all over this city. I’ve cleaned your hotel rooms. I’ve been an extra in your movies. I’ve been an extra in your life. Though I may have been invisible to you on the streets, I have a lot of the same dreams that brought many of you here tonight.”

After appearing at the 2014 VMAs, Helt returned to his mother’s house in Oregon. As news spread about Helt’s fame, people started to realize that he has been wanted in the state of Oregon since 2011–he was initially arrested in October of 2010 for burglary, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass.

He turned himself into the police after allegedly violating his parole following a criminal trust pass convict. Helt’s bail was posted at $2,500. After the bail was paid, he left. Cyrus helped pay for the legal charges.