Happy 18th Birthday Miley!

In 2006, the bubbly Miley -- a nickname given to Destiny Hope by her parents because she smiled so much -- landed the lead role on "Hannah Montana." Not that it was easy. "I auditioned forever," she explained. "At first they said I was too small and too young." But eventually, Disney decided Miley had what it took to become one of its stars; her show (co-starring her father as her on-screen dad) debuted to the largest audience ever for the ... more 

In 2006, the bubbly Miley -- a nickname given to Destiny Hope by her parents because she smiled so much -- landed the lead role on "Hannah Montana." Not that it was easy. "I auditioned forever," she explained. "At first they said I was too small and too young." But eventually, Disney decided Miley had what it took to become one of its stars; her show (co-starring her father as her on-screen dad) debuted to the largest audience ever for the channel. Jesse Grant/WireImage.com - January 10, 2006 less