Miley Ray Cyrus, born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992, in Franklin, Tennessee, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her parents are country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus. She was nicknamed "Smiley," which was later shortened to "Miley," because she smiled so often as a baby. In 2008, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus.
Hannah Montana and Rise to Fame
Cyrus's career took off when she was cast as the lead in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana (2006–2011). The show, in which she played a teenager living a double life as a pop star, was an immediate success and turned her into a teen idol. The show's success led to soundtrack albums and a feature film, Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009). The soundtracks for the show were very successful, with two of them reaching number one on the Billboard charts. Her debut solo album, Meet Miley Cyrus, was released in 2007 as the second disc of the double album Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus. It was followed by her first solo album without the Hannah Montana tie-in, Breakout (2008), which also topped the charts in the U.S. A key song from this early period was "Party in the U.S.A." (2009), which became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Artistic Evolution and Image Reinvention
As she grew older, Cyrus sought to shed her teen idol image. In 2010, she released the album Can't Be Tamed, which featured a more dance-pop sound and a more mature image, though it received mixed reviews. A significant turning point in her career came with the release of her 2013 album, Bangerz. This album marked a dramatic shift in her musical style, incorporating hip-hop and R&B, and was accompanied by a provocative new image. The album featured the hit singles "We Can't Stop" and her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one, "Wrecking Ball".
Musical Versatility
Following the Bangerz era, Cyrus continued to experiment with different musical genres. She released the experimental album Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz for free online in 2015. She then returned to a more country-pop sound with Younger Now in 2017. In 2020, she embraced a rock and glam rock sound with her album Plastic Hearts, which featured collaborations with rock legends like Billy Idol, Joan Jett, and Stevie Nicks. Her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation (2023), saw her return to a pop and dance-pop sound. The lead single, "Flowers," became a global success, topping the charts in numerous countries and earning her two Grammy Awards.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Cyrus's personal life has often been a subject of public interest. She had a long-term, on-and-off relationship with actor Liam Hemsworth, whom she met while filming The Last Song in 2009. They were married in December 2018 and divorced in 2020. She has also been in relationships with Nick Jonas, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Kaitlynn Carter. Since 2021, she has been in a relationship with musician Maxx Morando.
The Happy Hippie Foundation
In 2014, Cyrus founded the Happy Hippie Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBTQ youth, and other vulnerable populations. The foundation has launched several campaigns and fundraisers, including the Backyard Sessions, which are musical collaborations with other artists to raise money and awareness. Cyrus has also supported numerous other charities throughout her career, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.