she was born in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, and went to Heritage Middle School (she now has a private tutor). She grew up on her parents' farm in the backwoods of Nashville. She is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and Leticia "Tish" Cyrus, and the granddaughter of the late Ron Cyrus and Ruth Ann Cyrus. She has an older half-brother named Christopher Cody, an older step-brother named Trace, an older step-sister named Brandi, a younger brother named Braison, and a younger sister, Noah Lindsey, who is also an actress. She was named Destiny Hope because her parents thought that she would accomplish great things. Cyrus gained her nickname "Miley" because she kept smiling ("Smiley") as a youngster. Cyrus became interested in acting while on the set of her father's television series Doc, where she played the role of "Kylie". In 2003, she played "Young Ruthie" on Tim Burton's Big Fish and was credited as Destiny Cyrus. She was also featured in Rhonda Vincent's music video for "If Heartaches Have Wings", and appeared on Colgate Country Showdown with her father (who was hosting the television program). Cyrus was only eleven years old when she originally auditioned for Disney for the part of the "best friend;"[6] Disney Channel executives then judged her to be "too small." According to Disney Channel Executive Vice President Gary Marsh, Cyrus was chosen for Hannah Montana because of her energetic and lively performance and was seen as a person who "loves every minute of life," with the "everyday relatability of Hilary Duff and the stage presence of Shania Twain."Cyrus acts on the show as the lead character Miley Stewart whose alter ego is the pop music sensation Hannah Montana, also fictional. The character Hannah Montana appears in real-life music as a fictional stage name for the actress on the show. Cyrus's first guitar was a Daisy Rock Guitar - the Stardust Series Acoustic Electric Pink Sparkle, and was made a spokesperson for the company in 2004. It was given to her by her parents from her father's Country Music Television fan meet-and-greet, when she was twelve years old... A novice guitarist, Cyrus is also a songwriter in addition to singing and acting. On June 22, 2006, a performance of a Hannah Montana concert (featuring Cyrus as Hannah Montana) at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida was recorded for the Disney Channel. Cyrus is currently opening character Miley Stewart's alter ego Hannah Montana in a fictional interview set in the show's canon. On October 24, 2006, Walt Disney Records released the Hannah Montana soundtrack to the Disney Channel Original Series Hannah Montana. The soundtrack included eight of the songs that Cyrus performed as Hannah Montana. Cyrus also signed a four-album major record deal with Hollywood Records. Cyrus is good friends with fellow Hannah Montana co-stars Emily Osment and Mitchel Musso, often texting and conference calling each other during busy days. Cyrus performed as Hannah Montana at the Walt Disney Christmas Parade on December 25, 2006, singing "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree".