Miley Ray Cyrus is an American singer, songwriter, and actress whose career has spanned Disney stardom, controversy-laden reinventions, and, most recently, a critically acclaimed pop-rock renaissance. She was born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992, in Franklin, Tennessee, to country star Billy Ray Cyrus and producer Tish Cyrus. Nicknamed “Smiley” as a baby, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray in 2008.(Wikipedia)
Cyrus rose to fame as the title character on Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana (2006–11), playing a teen leading a double life as a pop star. The show made her a global teen idol, with TV, tours, and soundtracks dominating late-2000s tween culture.(Wikipedia)
Seeking to break out of that image, she released more adult-leaning albums like Can’t Be Tamed (2010). Her most dramatic pivot came with Bangerz (2013), an era marked by hip-hop influences, provocative performances (including the infamous 2013 VMAs twerking routine), and the chart-topping ballad “Wrecking Ball.” While critics debated her use of Black culture and shock tactics, Cyrus successfully shed the Disney persona.(Wikipedia)
Over the next decade she released genre-hopping projects—country-rock on Younger Now (2017), pop-rock and glam influences on Plastic Hearts (2020)—and built a reputation as a powerful live vocalist. She also served as a coach on The Voice for two seasons, mentoring aspiring singers and expanding her mainstream TV presence.(Wikipedia)
Her true critical coronation came with the single “Flowers” (2023), a self-love anthem widely interpreted as a response to her divorce from actor Liam Hemsworth. The song topped charts worldwide and earned Cyrus her first Grammys in 2024, including Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.(Biography) In 2025 she added a third Grammy for “II Most Wanted,” a duet with Beyoncé, confirming her stature as an adult pop heavyweight rather than a former child star.(Biography)
Cyrus has also acted in films like The Last Song and voiced characters in animation, and she’s been recognized as a Disney Legend for her contributions to the company.(Wikipedia) Offstage, she’s founded the Happy Hippie Foundation, supporting homeless and LGBTQ+ youth, and she often speaks about pansexual identity, sobriety, and personal reinvention.
With a gritty voice, fearless approach to image, and now a trophy case to match her impact, Miley Cyrus stands as one of the most enduring and continuously evolving American pop figures of her generation.