Miley Cyrus

Miley Ray Cyrus (born Destiny Hope Cyrus, 23.1.1992)

Miley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and singer, best known for appearing as Miley Stewart / Hannah Montana in the Disney series, Hannah Montana. Her father is Billy Ray Cyrus.

Miley Ray Cyrus: Childhood

Miley was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee. Her father is the country singer, Billy Ray Cyrus and her mother is Leticia. Miley has a younger brother, Braison and a younger sister, Noah (who is also an actress). She also has two half-brothers, Trace and Christopher Cody as well as a half-sister Brandi. 'Miley' is not her birth name, but a nickname, given to her by father because she was always smiling as a child.

Miley originally attended Heritage Middle School but now has a private tutor, so that she can keep up with her studies whilst pursuing her career.

Miley first showed an interest in acting aged nine, whilst the family was living in Canada. She first appeared on screen as a guest star in her father's TV show, Doc.

Miley Ray Cyrus: Screen Career

Miley Ray Cyrus' first film role was credited to her birth name, Destiny Cyrus. She appeared alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Ewan McGregor in Tim Burton's Big Fish, as 'Young Ruthie', in 2003.

Aged 12, Cyrus auditioned for the lead role in Disney's Hannah Montana but the casting directors decided that she was too small. However, Miley was so persistent that she wanted the role, that Disney gave her a callback. Gary Marsh, a Disney Channel Executive described Miley as having the "everyday relatability of Hillary Duff and the stage presence of Shania Twain." Miley eventually gained the lead role, playing Miley Stewart. Hannah Montana is Stewart's pop star alter ego.

Cyrus also briefly appeared in the film High School Musical 2. Her role was officially credited as 'Girl At Pool'. She appears at the end of the film, dancing by the poolside.

At the 80th Academy Awards, Cyrus was asked to present the song from Enchanted, 'That's How You Know.' In April 2008, she appeared on Idol Gives Back, a fundraising offshoot of the hugely popular American Idol show.

Miley Ray Cyrus: Musical Career

In 2006, Disney released a soundtrack to the Hannah Montana series, with Cyrus performing on the album. The singer has also signed a four-album deal with Hollywood Records; a separate deal to the soundtrack releases. Miley toured with The Cheetah Girls, opening the show for 20 dates of the tour of 39 cities.

Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus was released in 2007. The double-disc album was half Hannah Montana soundtrack songs and completed by a disc of songs largely written by Cyrus herself, credited to Destiny Hope Cyrus. In the Best Of Both Worlds Tour, later that year, she performed both as herself and in the Hannah Montana character. A Disney 3-D Digital film of the tour was released and grossed $31,117,834 in its opening weekend.

Miley Ray Cyrus: Facts and Fiction

On 1 May 2008, Miley officially changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus.

Miley Ray Cyrus was ranked the 17th richest under-25 in the US by Forbes magazine, with an annual earning of $3.5 million. Madame Tussauds now has a waxwork of the young star in New York City.

In September 2007, a doctored image of a magazine article was circulated on the Internet that claimed that Miley ray Cyrus was pregnant. J-14 magazine were quick to quash the rumours and reveal the true article, which was about Miley's eating habits.

In early 2008, renowned photographer Annie Liebowitz took photos of Cyrus for a Vanity Fair fashion shoot. The images were publicly criticised for showing a 15-year old girl apparently posing topless, with a rug around her, though Liebowitz and Cyrus both assured the public that she had her parents on hand during the shoot and that they were both happy with the artistic merits of the photo shoot.