Acting career
Cyrus became interested in acting at the age of nine, taking classes at the Armstrong Acting Studio in Toronto, Canada, when she and her family lived there for four years.[19] Her first acting role was as a guest star on her father's television series Doc, in which she played a girl named Kylie. In 2003, she played "Young Ruthie" in Tim Burton's Big Fish and was credited as Destiny Cyrus. In June 2009, Cyrus changed her TV and movie career representation from United Talent Agency to Creative Artists Agency, which had already represented her for music.
Disney career
Cyrus was 12 years old when she originally auditioned for Disney for the lead role of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana, as well as the show's "best friend" roles,but Disney Channel executives judged her to be too small. However, Cyrus was persistent in her desire to be part of Hannah Montana, so Disney called her back for further auditions. According to Disney Channel Executive Vice President Gary Marsh, Cyrus was chosen for the show because of her energetic and lively performance and was seen as a person who "loves every minute of life",with the "everyday relatability of Hilary Duff and the stage presence of Shania Twain".She spent several years trying to get rid of her Southern accent, but in the end Disney wanted her to revive it. Later, in an unusual twist, Cyrus had to audition her own father, Billy Ray Cyrus, for the role of Hannah's dad.Cyrus currently stars in Hannah Montana as the lead character Miley Stewart, whose alter ego is the pop music sensation Hannah Montana, while also performing in character as Hannah Montana for albums and concerts. In June 2009, Cyrus announced that the fourth season of Hannah Montana will be the last season in which she plays the title role.
As well as her success with the Hannah Montana Franchise, Cyrus had a brief cameo in High School Musical 2, in which she was credited as "girl at pool" and guest-starred as Yatta on the Disney Channel production The Emperor's New School. Cyrus provided the voice of Penny in the 2008 computer-animated feature film, Bolt.
Cyrus again played the title role in the Hannah Montana movie spin-off, Hannah Montana: The Movie which was released on April 10, 2009.
As of June 2009, Cyrus is scheduled to film her upcoming movie The Last Song in which she plays a teenage girl who tries to bond with her father during a summer at his home in a quiet beach town. It is scheduled for release in 2010 and filming is expected to start from June 15-21, 2009. The Last Song was conceived as a "star vehicle" with the intention of introducing Cyrus to older audiences. In July 2009, Disney acquired the film rights to Aprilynne Pike's novel Wings, in which Cyrus is expected to star.
