From gracing the screens as a fresh-faced teenage pop star in Hannah Montana to crooning the raunchy hit single Wrecking Ball, Miley Cyrus has been in the spotlight - unapologetic, vulnerable and truly herself. As the singer-songwriter turns 27 today, here's a look at five roles that defined her career:
Hannah Montana
Playing the role of teenage pop sensation Hannah Montana caught in a double life, a young Miley Cyrus quickly rose to prominence as Disney royalty making her a household name. The success of the tv show carried on to 5 soundtracks, Hannah Montana: The Movie and a concert film, Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, both setting records in the box office.
BOLT
Voicing the character of an eight-year-old Penny in the critically acclaimed Disney animated flick, Bolt, Cyrus' break away from Disney hadn't come yet. The film also featured her duet with co-star John Travolta, I thought I lost you.
The Last Song
A film rendition of Nicholas Sparks' book and the romantic drama responsible for the meeting of the future couple, Miley starred alongside Liam Hemsworth in one of her first big roles outside the realm of Disney. It gave fans a leeway to let go of their beloved Disney teenager and see Miley in a more realistic setting.
LOL
A movie that was meant to capture the authentic coming of age of an American teenager, audiences were in for a rude surprise to see Miley cast as Lola, a feisty and openly sexual high-school student. The role proved to be an important one in Cyrus' career as it gave a brief glimpse into the then twenty-year-old's real life. It may have even prepped fans for the Wrecking Ball video that would soon follow.
Black Mirror
Starring as pop sensation Ashley O in the critically-acclaimed tv franchise, Black Mirror, Cyrus' performance divided critics and fans alike. An episode that rang painfully close to Miley's real story as the Disney teen idol, it portrayed the singer-songwriter in a raw light with all the make-up and glitter of showbiz stripped back.
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