Miley Cyrus, born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992, in Franklin, Tennessee, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who gained international fame starring in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana beginning in 2006. The daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, she shifted from child star to successful recording artist, achieving multiple Billboard chart successes including her number one hit “Wrecking Ball” and winning Grammy Awards for songs like “Flowers,” while her career trajectory reveals additional compelling details.
A multifaceted entertainer who has navigated the change from child star to global pop icon, Miley Cyrus stands as one of the most recognizable figures in contemporary American entertainment. Born November 23, 1992, in Franklin, Tennessee, she emerged from a musical family as the daughter of country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus, spending her formative years on a family farm near Nashville where early exposure to music and performing shaped her artistic development. Originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus, she earned the nickname “Smiley” which was later shortened to “Miley,” and she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus in 2008 to honor her grandfather Ronald Ray Cyrus.
Cyrus demonstrated acting ambitions from childhood, beginning formal training at Armstrong Acting Studio in Toronto at age nine before securing her breakthrough role as the lead in Disney Channel‘s Hannah Montana in 2006. The series, which portrayed a teenager leading a double life as both a regular student and pop star, became a cultural phenomenon that elevated Cyrus to household name status by age thirteen, with accompanying soundtrack albums achieving significant commercial success on music charts.
From childhood acting classes to Disney stardom, Cyrus transformed into a household name by thirteen through Hannah Montana’s cultural phenomenon.
Her change from television to music stardom proved remarkably successful, beginning with her debut solo album Meet Miley Cyrus in 2007, which reached number one on US charts. Subsequent releases including Breakout in 2008 and Can’t Be Tamed in 2010 demonstrated her evolution as a pop artist, while Bangerz in 2013 produced her first number one hit, “Wrecking Ball,” establishing her ability to experiment across pop, rock, and country influences throughout her career.
Cyrus’s achievements include groundbreaking Grammy recognition, winning her first awards in 2024 for “Flowers” in both Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance categories, followed by a third Grammy in 2025 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II Most Wanted” with Beyoncé. She holds the record for most US Billboard 200 top-five albums in the 21st century by a female artist and ranks among the best-selling recording artists worldwide, with notable collaborations including Dua Lipa, Billy Idol, and Joan Jett.
Beyond music, Cyrus expanded her television presence as a coach on The Voice for two seasons while maintaining significant social media engagement with millions of followers. She founded the Ippie Foundation in 2014 to address social issues including homelessness and LGBTQ support through community service and advocacy efforts. Her personal life, including marriage and subsequent divorce from actor Liam Hemsworth, along with experiences such as losing her home in California’s Woolsey Fire, has attracted considerable media attention throughout her career.
Recent work includes her seventh studio album Plastic Hearts in 2020, which debuted at number two on Billboard 200, alongside global hits “Flowers” and “Midnight Sky,” cementing her continued influence as a trendsetter across music genres and pop culture.
