Miley Cyrus

Guide Note

Miley Cyrus is an American film and television actress and singer. She rose to fame for her work on the Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana, in which she stars with her father Billy Ray.

Fast Facts

1. Born: November 23, 1992
2. Birth Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus
3. Had an interest in acting at the age of nine
4. Daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus and Leticia Cyrus
5. Goddaughter of Dolly Parton
6. "Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana" on Hannah Montana
7. First acting role was a guest star on Doc

Destiny Hope Cyrus was born in Franklin, Tennessee on November 23, 1992. She is the daughter of Leticia Finley and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. She has two older half brothers Christopher Cody and Trace, and a half sister Brandi. She also has a younger brother Braison and a younger sister Noah. Cyrus was given her nickname Miley, from the word smiley, because she smiled all the time. She attended Heritage Middle School and now has a private tutor.

Cyrus' first acting role was a guest spot on her father's television series Doc, in which she played the part of Kylie. In 2003, Cyrus was cast as Young Ruthie in the Tim Burton film Big Fish. It wasn't until Cyrus was twelve years old that her career would shoot up to super stardom.

Cyrus was twelve years old when she auditioned for the lead role of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the sitcom/musical Hannah Montana. Although Disney executives thought she was too small for the role, Cyrus was called back to do another audition, which landed her the part. According to reports, she was chosen because she was full of energy and "loves every minute of life."¹

In December of 2007, photos leaked on the internet of Cyrus and a girl sharing a piece of candy together. Their lips were touching as they sat on the floor of a hotel hallway.² In April 2008, a second batch of racier photos were leaked. In the photos, Cyrus is laying on the lap of Thomas Sturges, lifting up her shirt with her stomach exposed. In another photo she is pulling down her white tank top to reveal her green bra.³

A semi nude photo of Cyrus appeared in late April 2008. In the photo she is topless and holding a sheet over her body with her back exposed. The photo was taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz as part of a spread in Vanity Fair magazine. Cyrus responded to the photo by saying that she was upset and embarrassed about it.⁴

On July 14, 2008, three racy photos of Cyrus were leaked on the internet. One photo showed Cyrus in a wet t-shirt, a second had Cyrus blowing a kiss into the camera and a third had her pouting in sunglasses. The photos were allegedly taken in a public shower by her former boyfriend Nick Jonas. It is questionable as to whether the photos are really of Cyrus.⁵