Miley Cyrus an American Pop Icon

Miley Cyrus is shedding her hugely successful image of Hannah Montana and transforming into a bona fide solo artist. Miley is seen below in the music video "The Climb" from the Hannah Montana Music Soundtrack.

Born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1992 as Destiny Hope Cyrus she had her name changed to Miley Cyrus. Her parents, famous country singer Billy Ray Cyrus (Achy Breaky Heart) and Leticia Cyrus had nicknamed her Smiley because she smiled so much and later it was shortened to Miley.

Miley's big break came at the young age of 12 after landing the lead role of the Disney television series as Miley Stewart/ Hannah Montana. Miley Cyrus stars as a normal teenage school girl Miley Stewart during the day and transforms into her alter ego, a famous pop singer named Hannah Montana at night. Talk about life imitating art, in real life Miley becomes an overnight sensation!

In 2006, the Hannah Montana Soundtrack is released debuting number 1 on the Billboard 200 and nearly misses double platinum. In June of 2007 Miley releases her follow up double cd Hannah Montana 2/ Meet Miley Cyrusand it sells faster than her first soundtrack. The first disc is a follow up of Hannah Montana while the second disc was the first album of Miley Cyrus' solo career. The album sells faster than her first and eventually goes triple platinum. The young, vibrant, and energetic Miley is on the fast track towards becoming a teen pop icon.

In October 2007 Miley announces and goes on her "Best of Both Worlds Tour" with the Jonas Brothers as the opening act. The 69 date North American Tour is so successful that tickets sell out in twelve minutes with some tickets being scalped for up to $20,000. The Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert film was released in the spring of 2008.

A new direction for Miley begins to emerge upon the release of "Breakout" in July 2008. Her brilliant album transcends her from singer to songwriter as she co-writes all but two of the songs. "Breakout" debuts at number 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts and suggests that Miley Cyrus is a serious and talented independent artist. The high octane hit single "7 Things" lands at number 9 and "See You Again" at number 10 on the charts.

Other lyrics embrace you such as "Wake Up America" a song about global climate change and the anguished ballad "Driveway" . Perhaps the most dynamic song and visually appealing video derived from this album is the dance-rock "Fly On The Wall" .

 The Christmas Hit "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" was recorded by Miley and released in November of 2008. In December the computer animated movie Bolt was released and Miley was the voice of Penny. "I Thought I Lost You"  was co-written and recorded by Cyrus along with John Travolta for the soundtrack of Bolt. The song was nominated to the Golden Globe Awards for Best Original Song.

 Early in 2009 to the dismay of many fans, Miley announced that this would be her last year in the Hannah Montana series. In April, 2009 Hannah Montana : The Movie was released containing the hit single "The Climb" and is her best hit to date rising to number 6 on the charts. 

 In June 2009, the "2009/2010 Miley Cyrus World Tour" was announced with special guest Metro Station. Miley's older brother Trace plays guitar and vocals for the California Rock Band whose best known for the song "Shake It".

Miley Cyrus was voted by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People In The World".  She has been nominated and won numerous awards at the Kids' Choice Awards and Teen Choice Awards. Miley is currently filming her latest movie "The Last Song" on Tybee Island near Savannah, Georgia. Yet, amidst all the fame Miley Cyrus appears to be a well grounded teen on her way to becoming an American Pop Icon,