<b>Miley Cyrus:</b> Her life in pictures
She was born Destiny Hope Cyrus. Destiny Hope had a permanent smile on her face, so her dad started calling her Smiley Miley. Well, when Smiley Miley got older, that name got a little embarrassing, so it was shortened to just Miley. We take a look at Cyrus’ career highlights or lowlights throughout the years. (Matt Sayles / AP)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Disney Channel star returns to Florida with a concert on Dec. 2 at American Airlines Arena.
Miley’s first TV role took place on her father’s medical drama “Doc” in 2003. That same year, she scored a part in Tim Burton’s drama fantasy “Big Fish.” (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A little bit country At first, Miley tried to shed her Southern accent for acting. But Disney wanted it for “Hannah Montana.” All it took was a trip home to Tennessee to bring it back! (Jeff Christensen / AP)
Loud and proud Miley has a personality like a bulldozer. In interviews, she’s bold and seems not to have a self-conscious bone in her body. Maybe the loud and proud demeanor stems from the fact that she grew up with a famous father, and she’s unfazed by fame. (Jason DeCrow / AP)
On top of the huge success of “Hannah Montana,” Miley went on to a music career. First she was featured on the “Hannah Montana” soundtrack in 2006. The following year, a double album came out called “Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus.” Disc 1 is a second “Hannah Montana” soundtrack; Disc 2 features Miley as herself. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
Miley played herself and her alter ego, Hannah Montana, in her 2007 tour, “Best of Both Worlds.” Hard-core fans paid scalpers more than $1,000 for tickets to the show. (Jeff Christensen / AP)
Dress like me And of course, in 2007 Disney released the requisite “Hannah Montana” clothing line, which Miley helped design. (Danny Moloshok / AP)
Miley gives props to the man upstairs So who’s responsible for Miley’s monumental success? Is it her superstar dad? Her own tenacious self? According to Miley, it’s neither. She credits the man upstairs. As she told USA Today in 2007, “That’s kind of why I’m, like, here in Hollywood - to be like a light, a testimony to say God can take someone from Nashville and make me this, but it’s His will that made this happen.” (Peter Kramer / Getty Images)
Miley Cyrus: Horsing around When Miley Cyrus moved from her hometown of Nashville to Los Angeles, she had to leave some very important loved ones behind: seven horses, three dogs and two cats. According to her official website, leaving her pets was one of the most difficult adjustments” for Miley, who enjoys braiding the horses tails. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
Miley Cyrus, unscripted She may have the poise of somebody twice her age, but Miley Cyrus vocabulary is still decidedly teenage. Her favorite phrases are “that’s dope” and “cool beans.” (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Miley Cyrus: Mileys idols When it comes to her music career, Miley Cyrus looks up to angsty pop singers like Hilary Duff, Ashley Simpson and Kelly Clarkson. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
Miley Cyrus: Pharmacy to go Look inside Miley Cyrus purse and you might be surprised by what you find. The songstress always carries a first-aid kit, stocked with Band-Aids, Neosporin and Benadryl. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
Miley Cyrus: Go team, go! Before Miley Cyrus was grooving in sold out arenas -- like this Hannah Montana show in Anaheim -- and launching dance battles on YouTube, she was a member of a cheerleading squad. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
Miley Cyrus on Miley Cyrus Ever wondered what makes Miley Cyrus so successful? Well, it just might be her irrepressible confidence. When People magazine asked Miley how she would describe herself, the starlet replied, “Coolest. Person. Ev-er!” (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Miley Cyrus: Open book Miley Cyrus life is an open book for a price. In April, the 15-year-old signed a seven-figure book deal with Disney Book Group. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)
Miley Cyrus: Unique tastes She could afford to dip her French fries in caviar, but Miley Cyrus is a ketchup girl through and through. She loves the condiment so much that she eats it right out of the bottle. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
Billy Ray Cyrus (Billy Ray Cyrus of ‘Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert’ premiere photo courtesy of Richard C. Soria/Zap2it.com.)
Miley Cyrus, a.k.a. Hannah Montana, performs to a sell-out crowd at the Honda Center in Anaheim. At one point, Cyrus sang a duet with her TV persona who appeared on a giant screen. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)
