Miley Ray Cyrus (born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992) is a Golden Globe- and Critic's Choice Award- nominated American singer, actress, and author. Cyrus is better known for starring as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.

Following the success of the show, in October 2006, a soundtrack CD was released in which she sang eight songs from the show. Cyrus' solo music career began with the release of her debut album, Meet Miley Cyrus on June 23, 2007. Her second album, Breakout, was released on July 22, 2008. Breakout is Cyrus' first album that does not involve the Hannah Montana franchise. Both albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.Keith Caulfield and Katie Hasty, "Miley Trumps Sugarland To Lead Billboard 200", Billboard.com, July 31, 2008. In 2008 she released her Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert film.

She also starred in Bolt in 2008, and recorded "I Thought I Lost You" for the soundtrack for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. She starred in the movie spin-off of Hannah Montana, titled Hannah Montana: The Movie which was released on April 10, 2009. In addition, she has recorded the main single, "The Climb", for the movie soundtrack. In 2008, Cyrus was listed in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World. Forbes magazine ranked her #35 on "The Celebrity 100" list with earnings of over US$25 million in 2008.

Early life

Cyrus was born in Nashville Tennessee on November 23, 1992. Los Angeles Superior Court documents of name change. PDF (page 4). She is the daughter of Leticia "Tish" (née Finley) and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. She has an older brother Trace, a vocalist and guitarist of an electronic rock band, Metro Station in California. She has an older sister, Brandi. The two were Tish's children from a previous relationship, whom Billy Ray adopted when they were very young. She also has an older half-brother Christopher Cody, her father's son from a previous relationship, but she has not seen Christopher since November of 2007 during her concert at Fort Worth, Texas. Miley also has a younger brother, Braison, and a younger sister, Noah, who is also an actress. Cyrus 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.

Cyrus attended Heritage Middle School and was a cheerleader, but now goes to school at Options For Youth. She also has a private tutor on the set of her TV show. She grew up on her parents' farm outside of Nashville, Tennessee where she also attended The People's Church.