Fast Facts

Born: November 23, 1992

Birth Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus

Had an interest in acting at the age of nine

Daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus and Leticia Cyrus

Goddaughter of Dolly Parton

"Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana" on Hannah Montana

First acting role was a guest star on Doc

Rumored in August 2008 to be dating Adam G. Sevani

Background

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 (of band Metro Station), 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.

Early Career

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.

Hannah Montana

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

Controversies Begin

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

Vanity Fair Photo

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

More Racy Photos

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