Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ video: 19 million views in 1 day

Nothing like a little -- make that lots of -- nude cavorting on heavy construction equipment to catch viewers’ attention, which Miley Cyrus did in record numbers upon Monday’s premiere of the music video for her single “Wrecking Ball.”

The racy track, which also reveals her amorous feelings for a sledge hammer, tallied 19.3 million views in the first 24 hours, smashing (sorry) the previous record set in July by One Direction’s “Best Song Ever,” which posted 12.3 million views in the first day, according to Vevo, the music industry’s official video distribution platform.

The numbers for “Wrecking Ball” returned the crown to Cyrus, who had held it before One Direction with her video “We Can’t Stop,” which logged 10.9 million views within 24 hours of its premiere in June.

PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times

Cyrus no doubt capitalized on the massive attention she generated with her endlessly analyzed twerking performance in August for the MTV Video Music Awards. Cyrus also set a record for the fastest trip to Vevo’s “Certified” status, representing 100 million views, doing so in 37 days for “We Can’t Stop.”

“Wrecking Ball” is 20% of the way there in one day, so she may well have another record looming.

ALSO:

Watch Eminem’s new video for ‘Berzerk’

Watch the video for ‘Wrecking Ball’ by Miley Cyrus

One Direction’s ‘Best Song Ever’: 22 million views in 2 days

Follow Randy Lewis on Twitter: @RandyLewis2