Miley Cyrus
Born 1992 · Age 33
American singer, songwriter, and actress. Emerged as a child star on Disney's Hannah Montana and developed a multi-genre recording and acting career with numerous reinventions, awards (including Grammys), philanthropic activity (Happy Hippie Foundation), and major global hits such as "Wrecking Ball" and "Flowers."
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Destiny Hope Cyrus (later Miley Ray Cyrus)
Born in Franklin, Tennessee to Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus; nicknamed 'Smiley' (later Miley). Born with supraventricular tachycardia.
Family moved to Toronto; first TV role on Doc
Family relocated to Toronto while father filmed Doc. Miley began acting lessons and had a first acting role as Kylie in Doc.
Film credit in Big Fish (young Ruthie)
Received screen credit under birth name for role in Tim Burton's Big Fish.
Auditioned for Hannah Montana
Auditioned for Disney Channel series Hannah Montana (initially for a supporting role), later called to audition for and won the lead.
Hannah Montana premiered on Disney Channel
Series debut made Miley a teen idol and launched a cross-media franchise (TV, music, consumer products).
Performed on tour with the Cheetah Girls as Hannah Montana
Performed songs from Hannah Montana's first season on tour (Sept 2006).
Hannah Montana soundtrack released (Billboard No. 1)
Soundtrack credited to her character topped the Billboard 200 and sold over 3 million copies worldwide.
Best of Both Worlds Tour launched (2007–2008)
Major tour to promote Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus; sold out rapidly and led to a 3D concert film.
Signed four-album deal with Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records to distribute her non-Hannah Montana music.
Released Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus (double album)
Double-disc release; the second disc served as Miley's debut studio album; project reached No. 1 on Billboard 200.
Named to Time 100 list (first time)
Included in Time magazine's Time 100 list (2008) and later again in 2014.
Leaked photos and Vanity Fair controversy
Private photos were leaked after a Gmail hack (April 2008) and an Annie Leibovitz Vanity Fair shoot caused media attention.
Legal name change to Miley Ray Cyrus
Legally changed her name from Destiny Hope Cyrus to Miley Ray Cyrus; middle name honors her grandfather.
Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert film (theatrical)
3D concert film released; strong box-office performance and extended run.
Released studio album Breakout (No. 1 on Billboard 200)
Second studio album (credited to Miley, not Hannah Montana); highest first-week sales of her career to that date.
Published autobiography 'Miles to Go'
Autobiography released with photos and personal stories (2009).
Launched fashion line with Max Azria for Walmart
First fashion line released through Walmart targeting her fanbase (2009).
Released EP The Time of Our Lives and single 'Party in the U.S.A.'
'Party in the U.S.A.' became a signature hit and was later certified 14× platinum in the US (biographical sources).
Released single 'The Climb' (Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack)
Crossover hit in pop and country formats; soundtrack hit No. 1 on Billboard 200 making her the youngest artist with four No.1 albums.
Hannah Montana: The Movie released (box-office success)
Feature film release tied to the franchise; contributed to Miley's status as a profitable Disney franchise star.
Performed for the British royal family at Royal Variety Performance
Performed for Queen Elizabeth II and other royals in Blackpool, Lancashire.
Released Can't Be Tamed (third studio album)
Dance-pop album intended to project a more mature image; first studio album not to top the Billboard 200.
Ranked on Forbes Celebrity 100
Ended 2010 ranked number 13 on Forbes Celebrity 100.
Salvia video controversy published online
Video released showing Cyrus smoking salvia; significant media attention.
Starred in The Last Song (film)
Lead role in film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks novel; box-office hit though critically mixed.
Gypsy Heart Tour (worldwide) launched
Worldwide tour in support of Can't Be Tamed; notably had no North American dates.
Hosted Saturday Night Live (first time)
Hosted SNL and addressed recent controversies in her opening.
Started Backyard Sessions video series
Released stripped-down live performance videos on YouTube covering classic songs; series ran 2012–2023.
Cut hair to a short blonde pixie cut
Publicly changed her look (2012), which she later said changed her life and identity.
Acted in films LOL and So Undercover (2012)
Took film roles; both had limited success commercially and critically.
Announced engagement to Liam Hemsworth (first engagement reported)
Engaged after dating for several years (engagement publicly reported in June 2012).
Declared MTV Artist of the Year
MTV named Miley Artist of the Year following the Bangerz era.
Controversial MTV VMAs performance with Robin Thicke
Risque performance that generated major media scrutiny (2013 VMAs).
Released 'Wrecking Ball' (single) and provocative music video
Video showing Cyrus on a wrecking ball debuted to huge attention; 'Wrecking Ball' became her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1.
Hired Larry Rudolph as manager; signed to RCA Records
Changed management to Larry Rudolph and signed with RCA Records for future releases.
Won MTV Video Music Award — Video of the Year for 'Wrecking Ball' (2014 VMAs)
'Wrecking Ball' era won major VMA recognition (Video of the Year in 2014 tied to 2013 single).
Released single 'We Can't Stop'
Lead single heralded as a comeback; international hit and notable Vevo view records.
MTV aired documentary 'Miley: The Movement'
Doc chronicled the recording of Bangerz and the reinvention of her public image.
Released album Bangerz (debuted No.1)
Fifth studio album; debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 270,000 copies.
Named to Time 100 (second inclusion)
Featured in Time 100 again in 2014.
Launched Bangerz Tour (2014)
Controversial but critically well-received tour; included international legs; faced personal tragedies and medical hospitalization mid-tour.
Founded Happy Hippie Foundation
Nonprofit focused on LGBTQ youth and youth homelessness, launched with support from her Backyard Sessions.
Included in Forbes Celebrity 100 again (2015 mention)
Listed among Forbes Celebrity 100 lists (2010 and 2015 referenced in sources).
MTV Unplugged acoustic concert (highest-rated in decade)
Performed songs from Bangerz with Madonna as a guest; 1.7 million streams.
Hosted MTV Video Music Awards; released 'Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz' (free)
Became first openly pansexual VMA host; premiered a surprise, free experimental album on SoundCloud.
Collaborated with Flaming Lips; began experimental album work
Worked with Wayne Coyne and explored psychedelic/experimental music direction on Dead Petz material.
Served as a coach on The Voice (season 11)
Signed on as a coach replacing Gwen Stefani; youngest coach in any incarnation of the series.
Co-starred in Woody Allen's Crisis in Six Scenes (Amazon)
Played a radical activist in the six-episode miniseries released in 2016/2017.
Released 'Malibu' (lead single from Younger Now)
'Malibu' signaled a softer, more introspective sound; peaked at No. 10 on Billboard Hot 100.
Released 'Younger Now' (sixth studio album)
Album released Sept 29, 2017; included country-inflected and ballad material; Miley chose not to tour for it.
Deleted social media photos to tease new music
High-profile social media purge in 2018 preceding new musical directions and eventual collaborations (e.g., Mark Ronson).
Featured on Mark Ronson single 'Nothing Breaks Like a Heart'
Collaboration released Nov 29, 2018; strong commercial reception internationally and top-2 UK peak.
Married Liam Hemsworth
Private wedding at her home in Nashville with a small circle of family and friends (Dec 23, 2018).
Released EP 'She Is Coming' (first of intended trilogy)
Seven-track EP debuted at No. 5 on Billboard 200; included 'Mother's Daughter' (entered Hot 100).
Starred in Black Mirror episode 'Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too' (released)
Played fictional pop star Ashley O; episode filmed Nov 2018, released June 5, 2019.
Separated from Liam Hemsworth
Announced separation after less than 8 months of marriage (Aug 2019).
Released 'Slide Away' following separation from Liam Hemsworth
Song and video referenced the end of her relationship with Hemsworth; separation announced Aug 2019.
Hospitalized for tonsillitis; vocal cord surgery
Hospitalized Oct 2019; vocal cord surgery reported in Nov 2019 requiring vocal rest.
Won Webby Special Achievement Award
Received a 2020 Webby Special Achievement Award.
Divorce from Liam Hemsworth finalized
Divorce proceedings completed in early 2020 following Hemsworth's filing months earlier.
Reported settlement in lawsuit with Flourgon (claimed $300M)
Biography.com reports Miley agreed to pay Flourgon $300 million settlement finalized in early 2020 (source claim).
Released 'Midnight Sky' (lead single for Plastic Hearts)
Single released Aug 14, 2020; became her highest-charting solo single since 2017, peaking at No. 14 on Hot 100 and No. 5 UK.
Released 'Plastic Hearts' (seventh studio album)
Album released Nov 27, 2020; debuted at No. 2 on Billboard 200 with 60,000 units; marked move into rock/glam rock.
Released Metallica cover 'Nothing Else Matters' for tribute project
Recorded cover for The Metallica Blacklist tribute; featured Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, and Chad Smith.
Performed at TikTok Tailgate pre-Super Bowl show
Performed for 7,500 vaccinated healthcare workers; aired on TikTok and CBS.
Signed with Columbia Records
Departed RCA and signed to Columbia Records (March 2021).
Signed overall deal with NBCUniversal; founded Hopetown Entertainment
Deal included a first-look arrangement and development of specials; Hopetown Entertainment to produce projects.
Co-hosted Miley's New Year's Eve Party special (first iteration)
Hosted NBC special from Miami with Pete Davidson; co-executive produced via Hopetown Entertainment (Dec 2021–2022 iteration).
Launched Attention Tour in support of Plastic Hearts
Festival and arena dates across North, South, and Central America; tour concluded March 26, 2022.
Released live album 'Attention: Miley Live'
Live album recorded largely at Super Bowl Music Fest performance (Feb 12, 2022) released Apr 1, 2022; deluxe version followed.
'Flowers' global chart & streaming records
'Flowers' reached No.1 in 37 countries; became Spotify's fastest track to 100M and to 1B plays at the time (7 and 112 days respectively); topped Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts.
Released 'Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)' Disney+ special
Documentary concert special and Backyard Sessions performance premiered on Disney+ accompanying the album release.
Released 'Flowers' (lead single from Endless Summer Vacation)
Single released Jan 13, 2023; debuted at No.1 on Billboard Hot 100 and Global charts; global success.
Released 'Endless Summer Vacation' (eighth studio album)
First album with Columbia Records; released Mar 10, 2023; debuted at No. 3 on Billboard 200 with 119,000 album-equivalent units.
Won Grammys for 'Flowers' (Record of the Year & Best Pop Solo Performance)
At the 2024 Grammy Awards, 'Flowers' won Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance (first Grammy wins for Cyrus).
Lawsuit filed alleging 'Flowers' copies Bruno Mars song
September 2024 suit claimed elements of 'Flowers' copied 'When I Was Your Man'; Cyrus' team filed motion to dismiss in November 2024.
Released 'Something Beautiful' (ninth studio album; visual album & film)
2025 release described as a visual album and musical film; called a 'pop opera' by Cyrus and compared to ambitious projects like Pink Floyd's The Wall.
Won Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance ('II Most Wanted' with Beyoncé)
Cyrus earned her third Grammy in 2025 for collaboration on Beyoncé's 'II Most Wanted'.
Key Achievement Ages
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