The 'We Can't Stop' singer made the comments while talking about her five favourite female singers in an interview, reported Billboard.
Naming Lil Kim in the number three spot, Cyrus said, "In my past life, I feel like that was me. I feel like Lil Kim is who I am on the inside. She just makes me happy... I just love her and I can't help that I love her."
However, Cyrus didn't take sides in Kim's feud with Nicki Minaj, naming the 'Starships' singer as her fourth favourite.
Cyrus also praised her godmother Dolly Parton, describing her as a "real-life Barbie doll" and a "legend", and said that Joan Jett "represents a different time when females weren't supposed to be able to kick ass the way that she came out and did".
Her fifth favourite singer was Beth Hart, whom Cyrus claimed has "one of the best voices of all time".