Twenty years. That's how long it's been since Hannah Montana first graced our screens, launching Miley Cyrus into a stratosphere that few child stars ever navigate successfully. And according to Miley herself, she owes a hefty chunk of that survival to her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.
Turns out, the whole father-daughter TV duo wasn't entirely Billy Ray's idea. Miley's mom, Tish, was the mastermind, nudging Billy Ray to audition for the show so the family could pack up and head to Los Angeles. Having both husband and daughter on the Disney payroll? That's some solid family planning.
Miley shared a gem of an anecdote about her dad's audition process, telling Variety that Billy Ray was, apparently, too nice. He was reportedly bringing other dads into Disney, suggesting they get hired too. Tish had to gently remind him to focus on securing his own role first. Because, you know, priorities.
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Start Your News DetoxFor four seasons, Billy Ray played Miley's on-screen father, a role that extended far beyond the script. His constant presence on set became a shield, protecting Miley from the notorious pressures of child stardom. "My dad was on set every single day," Miley recalled. "There was nothing that could happen that he wouldn’t know about." A dad who doubles as a human security system? Not a bad gig.
Now, two decades later, Miley Cyrus is a different person entirely. Happier, she says, and thriving. Her relationships are private, her business is successful, and she's found joy in the decidedly un-Hollywood things: waking up in her own bed, feeding her dogs. Which, if you think about it, is a pretty strong endorsement for having a dad around who makes sure you're never alone in your dressing room.
