Star interview: Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana: The Movie

May 5 2009 By Chester Chronicle

Miley Cyrus

Disney star Miley Cyrus talks about Hannah Montana: The Movie and her Hollywood life.

It's easy to see why Miley Cyrus is idolised by millions of teenagers.

The Hannah Montana star, daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, is the face of the famous Disney franchise and has scored three consecutive No 1 albums in the past three years. Not to mention record-shattering tour and box office sales and a best-selling biography in the US - and she's only 16.

"Life is short and I want to get as much done and do as much as possible," the ambitious teenager says.

"I don't want to become the person that's been on the cover of a bunch of magazines saying 'Ever since I was little, I've loved fashion', or 'I've always been girly'. I want my quote to be 'I'm going to make history'."

The Nashville-born entertainer is well on the way to doing just that. She was ranked one of the world's most influential people in 2008 - the same year she officially changed her name from Destiny Hope to her childhood nickname Miley, referring to her smiley nature.

"I think it's definitely crazy and I don't necessarily feel like Mother Teresa so I don't know why people want to hear what I have to say," she says.

"I'm not full of great advice or whatever but I feel like people are inspired because they don't see me as someone who's unapproachable and someone that you can't be like. Even though I have an interesting job and lead an interesting life, I think people can still relate to me."

Miley's illustrious career began at eight when she appeared in US TV series Doc alongside her dad, followed by a bit part in Tim Burton's Big Fish. She won the part of Miley Stewart and her alter ego Hannah Montana after years of re-auditioning.

"It's become bigger than I ever imagined," she says of the award-winning show.

"It's kinda cool, but at times it's very strange going into a store and seeing people buy your face. But I think the most important thing is that's not what I want to do forever. I don't want to make movies so I can be on a T-shirt. I'll be happy when I'm known for something else."

Hannah Montana: The Movie sees Miley return to her Tennessee roots with her dad, Robby Ray (Billy Ray). Their on-screen relationship mirrors their real-life closeness.

"I've learnt a lot about patience, respect and kindness from him," she says.

"I'm one of these people that always has to have the last word and never want to be wrong, and always find ways to make myself right, and my dad's one of these people who just walks away. My dad's the coolest."

Take away the glamour and the adoring fans and Miley is like any other angst-ridden teenager. Her "diva" requests include Frosties and Subway sandwiches - and she relaxes by playing the guitar.

"I remember being so upset that I wasn't the popular kid (at school) and now that totally does not matter to me. I look back on it and I'm like, what would it have meant if I had been popular then? What would it really do for me, for the long run or for my future? Really nothing," she says.