Biography
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Miley Cyrus became a sensation after Hannah Montana debuted in March
2006. Following the success of the show, in October 2006, a soundtrack
CD was released in which she sang eight songs from the show. In December
2007, she was ranked #17 in the list of Forbes Top twenty earners under
the age of 25 with an annual earning of US$3.5 million. As of December
2007, she is working on a movie spin-off of Hannah Montana, titled
Hannah Montana: The Movie which is due to be released on May 1, 2009.
Miley Cyrus' solo music career began with the release of her debut
album, Meet Miley Cyrus on June 23, 2007. Her sophomore album, entitled
Breakout was released on July 22, 2008, which is Miley's first album
that does not involve the Hannah Montana franchise. Both albums debuted
and peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Miley Cyrus was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the daughter of Leticia "Tish"
(née Finley) and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, and the granddaughter
of the late Ron Cyrus. She has two older half-brothers; Christopher Cody
and Trace, the latter being the vocalist and guitarist of an electronic
rock band, Metro Station in California. She also has an older
half-sister, Brandi, a younger brother, Braison, and a younger sister,
Noah, who is also an actress. She was named Destiny Hope because her
parents believed that she would accomplish great things. Cyrus gained
her nickname "Miley" because she kept smiling ("Smiley") as a youngster.
Miley Cyrus attended Heritage Middle School,and now goes to school at a
place called Options For Youth. She also has a private tutor on the set
of her T.V. show. She grew up on her parents' farm outside of Nashville,
Tennessee.
Miley Cyrus playing a keyboard in a concertCyrus became interested in
acting at age nine when the family briefly lived in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. Her first acting role was as a guest star on her father's
television series Doc, in which she played a girl named Kylie. In 2003,
she played "Young Ruthie" in Tim Burton's Big Fish and was credited as
Destiny Cyrus. She was also featured in Rhonda Vincent's music video for
"If Heartaches Have Wings", and appeared on Colgate Country Showdown
with her father, who was hosting the program.
Miley Cyrus was twelve years old when she originally auditioned for
Disney for the lead role of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana, as well as the
show's "best friend" roles, but Disney Channel executives judged her to
be too small. Cyrus was persistent in her desire to be part of Hannah
Montana, however, so Disney called her back for further auditions.
According to Disney Channel Executive Vice President Gary Marsh, Cyrus
was chosen for the show because of her energetic and lively performance
and was seen as a person who "loves every minute of life", with the
"everyday relatability of Hilary Duff and the stage presence of Shania
Twain". She spent several years trying to get rid of her Southern
accent, but in the end Disney wanted her to revive it. Later in an
unusual twist, Cyrus had to audition her own father, Billy Ray Cyrus, to
see if he would fit the role as Hannah's dad. Cyrus currently stars in
Hannah Montana as the lead character Miley Stewart, whose alter ego is
the pop music sensation Hannah Montana. Cyrus also performs in character
as Hannah Montana for albums and concerts. Cyrus also appeared in the
Disney Channel Hannah Montana promotion, "Hannah Montana's Backstage
Secrets", in which she portrays Hannah Montana in a fictional interview
set in the show's canon.
| The Miley and Mandy Show - They are playing the Scary Maze Game |
Miley Cyrus had a brief cameo in the 2007 television movie High School Musical 2
credited as "Girl at Pool", where she danced before the end credits in front of
the pool wearing a yellow baby doll top and denim Bermuda shorts. Cyrus also
guest-starred as Yatta on Disney Channel's The Emperor's New School.
While attending the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix premiere, Cyrus
stated that they are working on ideas for a Hannah Montana movie. The
feature-length film is to be produced by Miley Cyrus's both on and off-screen
dad, Billy Ray Cyrus. Hannah Montana: The Movie is scheduled for a May 1, 2009
release.
Miley Cyrus was invited to present the song "That's How You Know" from the film
Enchanted at the 80th Academy Awards. Miley Cyrus also hosted the 2008 CMT Music
Awards with her father in April. On April 9, 2008, Miley Cyrus appeared on the
American Idol fundraiser show Idol Gives Back, and she told the audience that it
has always been one of her dreams to appear on American Idol. In June 2008, it
was announced that Miley will host and perform at the Teen Choice Awards.
This Miley Cyrus Biography Page is Copyright © 2004 - 2009 Chuck Ayoub