Miley Cyrus is one of the most controversial stars in Hollywood. The former Disney star rose to fame starring as Miley Stewart in the Hannah Montana Disney series, but she’s successfully shed her teen idol image ever since she performed at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2013 alongside Robin Thicke. She traded her teen idol image for a more sexually open and explicit one that has been met with a mix of widespread scrutiny and praise. More recently, Cyrus has been revamping her image as one of the newest coaches on the NBC’s popular show The Voice and her Happy Hippe Foundation. Cyrus has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her singing and acting career. She was ranked as the fourth best-selling female artist in 2009 and made the Time 100 list as one of the most influential people in the world in 2008 and 2014. In honor of her upcoming 25th birthday, here’s a list of 10 things you didn’t know about Miley Cyrus!
10. Destiny Hope Cyrus
She was born with the name Destiny Hope Cyrus. She adopted the stage name “Miley” from the nickname “Smiley” that was given to her as a child because she was always smiling. Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, who’s famous for his country music hits and acting, gave her the name “Destiny” because he thought it was her destiny to bring hope into the world. She legally changed her name in 2008 from Destiny Hope Cyrus to Miley Ray Cyrus. The middle name “Ray” came from her grandfather, Ronald Ray Cyrus, who she was very close to.