Production

Michael Poryes, who is credited as co-creator, also co-created the hit Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven. The show is produced by It's a Laugh Productions, Inc., in association with Disney. It is filmed at Tribune Studios in Hollywood, CA. The series premiere scored record ratings for Disney Channel: 5.4 million viewers, a response "beyond our wildest expectations," according to the president of Disney Channel Entertainment.

The original idea for this show was based on the That's So Raven episode "Goin' Hollywood", which was supposed to be the pilot episode for a sitcom called Better Days, in which a child star of a popular TV show of the same name was to try her hand at going to a normal school. The episode New Kid in School has the basic premise as that afore-mentioned episode. Other names considered for the title were The Secret Life of Zoe Stewart (discarded as too similar to Zoey 101 on Nickelodeon), The Popstar Life!, and Alexis Texas. Former American Juniors finalist Jordan McCoy and pop and R&B singer JoJo (who rejected the role) were considered for the role of Zoe Stewart. Miley Cyrus originally auditioned for the role of the "best friend" Lilly Romero, later changed to Lilly Truscott, but they thought she would be better for the main character, so she tried out for Zoe Stewart/Hannah Montana. Zoe Stewart was later changed to Chloe Stewart, which was eventually changed to Miley when she got the part. The names of Hannah Montana were changed a few times. Three of the previous names were Anna Cabana, Samantha York, and Alexis Texas.

In December 2006, Disney announced plans to release Hannah Montana products, including: clothing, jewelery, apparel, and dolls, at select stores. ^[5] Play Along Toys has released the Hannah and Miley dolls and other merchandise. Hannah Montana is signed for at least one more season according to Disney Channel. Filming for the second season started in December. The new season started in April, 2007, in which she is in high school.^[6]As stated by Jason EarlesHigh School Musical 2 Extended Edition DVD, filming of the second season has finished. at the launch of the

Popularity

Main article: Best of Both Worlds Tour

In addition to the high ratings of the TV series, concerts for Hannah Montana have also been exceedingly popular. Tickets for every concert sell out, with some later being scalped for thousands of dollars. The shows attract much attention, with an example being the attendance of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich who later admitted to having watched every episode.

Opening sequence

The theme song for Hannah Montana is "The Best of Both Worlds" written by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, produced by Gerrard and performed by Miley Cyrus (as Hannah Montana). John Carta, who also composes the music cues to signify scene changes and commercial breaks, composed the music for the song. The song's lyrics describe the basic premise of the television series.

The full-length version, which is 2 minutes, 54 seconds in length, was included on the show's soundtrack, released in October 2006. For the TV version of the theme, which lasts only 50 seconds, only stanzas one and two and stanzas seven and eight were used.

"Just Like You" and "The Other Side of Me" were originally tested for the opening theme song, before "Best of Both Worlds" was chosen as the theme. Stage and features episode clips of each cast member when each cast member's name appears. Each cast member's name is "wiped" on the screen in a marquee-light-style. The sequence then switches to full-screen episode clips (most of the clips used in the Season One version of the sequence were of the early produced episodes) with the creator's names appearing in the second-to-last clip. The show's title logo design appears at the beginning, and again at the end, of the sequence (the latter portion as with most other portions of the sequence on the "concert stage" feature Cyrus as her character Hannah Montana).

Lawsuit

On 2007-08-23, Buddy Sheffield, a comedy writer who wrote for The Smothers Brothers Show, The Dolly Parton Show and In Living Color, sued Disney over Hannah Montana alleging that he originally came up with the idea for Hannah Montana but was never compensated by Disney. The lawsuit claims breach of contract, breach of confidence, unfair competition and unjust enrichment. In the lawsuit, Sheffield claims that he pitched an idea for a TV series with the name of "Rock and Roland" to Disney Channel in 2001 with the plot of a junior high student who lived a secret double life as a rock star. The lawsuit claims that Disney Channel executives at first liked the idea but passed on the series. Sheffield claims that he deserves a share of the revenue generated by Hannah Montana.^[9]

Cast

Main

• Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana
• Emily Osment as Lilly Truscott/Lola
• Mitchel Musso as Oliver Oken/Mike Standley III
• Jason Earles as Jackson Stewart
• Billy Ray Cyrus as Robby Stewart
• Moises Arias as Rico (Season 2)

Recurring

• Dolly Parton: Aunt Dolly
• Vicki Lawrence: Mamaw Ruthie
• Frances Callier: Roxy
• Cody Linley: Jake Ryan

Minor

Main article: List of Hannah Montana minor characters

Guest appearances

• Corbin Bleu: Johnny Collins (1)
• Paul Vogt: Dontzig (3)
• Ashley Tisdale: Maddie Fitzpatrick (1)
• Lisa Arch: Liza (2)
• Brooke Shields: Susan Stewart (2) (1 has aired, the 2nd has aired only in the UK)
• Larry David: Himself (1)
• Madison Pettis: Sophie Martinez (1)
• John D'Aquino: President Richard Martinez (1)
• Jesse McCartney: Himself (1)
• Selena Gomez: Mikayla (2)
• Karina Smirnoff: Madame Escajeda
• Jonas Brothers: Themselves (1)
• The Rock: Himself (1)
• Heather Locklear: Heather Truscott (1)

Episodes

Main article: List of Hannah Montana episodes

Film

Hannah Montana: The Movie has been confirmed by many of the stars from the show. It will not be a Disney Channel Original Movie but will instead follow in the steps of the Lizzie McGuire^[10] Oprah Winfrey also confirmed on her show on November 21, 2007 that a film was in the works. series, which is a feature-length film released in cinemas. Filming should take place sometime in spring 2008, and should be released in late 2008 or early 2009.

Songs

Main article: List of Hannah Montana songs

Soundtracks

• 2006: Hannah Montana Soundtrack
• 2007: Hannah Montana: Special Edition
• 2007: Hannah Montana 2 Soundtrack
• 2007: Hannah Montana 2: Rockstar Edition
• 2008: Hannah Montana 2: Non-Stop Dance Party
• 2007: Hannah Montana: Disney's Karaoke Series

Nominations and awards

• 2007 Creative Arts Emmy - Outstanding Children's Program (Nominated)
  • Hannah Montana is up against The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and That's So Raven
• 2007 Winner of the "Choice TV Show: Comedy" for the Teen Choice Awards^[11]

DVD releases

Volume 1: Living the Rock Star Life

(released October 24, 2006)

• Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?
• Miley Get Your Gum
• I Can't Make You Love Hannah If You Don't
• Money For Nothing, Guilt for Free (bonus episode, aired November 26, 2006)

Special Features:

• Miley Cyrus Exclusive Interview on Following Your Dreams
• Miley's Audition Tapes
• "The Best of Both Worlds" music video

That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana

(released January 16, 2007)

• On the Road Again (Hannah Montana episode)

Special Features:

• "Who Said" Music Video (Hannah Montana Bonus)

Volume 2: Pop Star Profile

(released June 26, 2007)
This DVD features the first four episodes featuring Jake Ryan.

• New Kid in School
• More Than a Zombie to Me
• Good Golly Miss Dolly
• People Who Use People

Special features:

• "Nobody's Perfect" music video
• A Day With Miley Cyrus And Her Family

Volume 3: Life's What You Make It

(released October 9, 2007)

• Achy Jakey Heart, Part 1
• Achy Jakey Heart, Part 2
• I Want You to Want Me ... To Go to Florida
• I Am Hannah, Hear Me Croak

Special Features:

• Hannah Montana Backstage Pass
• Billy Ray Cyrus Music Video "Ready, Set, Don't Go"

Wish Gone Amiss

(released November 27, 2007)

• When You Wish You Were the Star (Hannah Montana episode)

Special Features:

• "I Wish I May, I Wish I Might: A Guide to Making Wishes" hosted by Jason Earles of Hannah Montana. (Hannah Montana Bonus)

Volume 4: One in a Million

(will be released January 29, 2008)

• Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas
• Lilly's Mom Has Got it Going On
• That's What Friends Are For?
• I Will Always Loathe You

Special Features:

• Top 10 Disney Channel Feuds Countdown
• "One in a Million" music video
• "True Friend" music video
• Bonus Episode of That's So Raven (Confirmed on DisneyDVD.com

Destiny Hope "Miley" Cyrus (born November 23, 1992) is an American actress, singer and songwriter. She is best known for starring as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel Original Series, Hannah Montana.

Cyrus became an overnight sensation after she was cast in Hannah Montana. Following the success of the show, in October 2006, a soundtrack CD was released in which she sang eight songs from the show. In December 2007, she was ranked #17 in the list of Forbes Top twenty earners under 25 with an annual earning of US$3.5 million. As of December 2007, she is working on a movie spin-off from Hannah Montana, titled Hannah Montana: The Movie which is due to be released late 2008 or early 2009.

Early life

Born in Franklin,Tennessee, Miley Cyrus attended Heritage Middle School, but now has a private tutor. She grew up on her parents' farm outside of Nashville. Cyrus 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 two elder half-brothers, Christopher Cody and Trace, the latter being the vocalist and guitarist of an electronic rock band, Metro Station in California. She also has an elder half-sister, Brandi, a younger brother, Braison, and a younger sister, Noah, who is also an actress. She was named Destiny Hope because her parents believed that she would accomplish great things. Cyrus gained her nickname "Miley" because she kept smiling ("Smiley") as a youngster. In an interview with USA Today, Cyrus was quoted as saying her faith is "the main thing" and is the reason why she works in Hollywood. When interviewed by Parade, she added that she attends church regularly with her family. She also has many pets, including horses, dogs, cats, fish and chickens.

Career

Cyrus became interested in acting at age nine when the family briefly lived in Toronto, Canada. Her first acting role was as a guest star on her father's television series Doc, in which she played a girl named Kylie. In 2003, she played "Young Ruthie" in 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 program.

Cyrus was eleven years old when she originally auditioned for Disney for the lead as well as the "best friend" roles; Disney Channel executives then judged her to be "too small", however Miley was persistent in her desire to be part of the show, so Disney called her back for further auditions when she turned 12. 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". She spent several years to get rid of her Southern accent, but in the end Disney wanted her to revive it. Later in an unusual twist, Cyrus had to audition her own father, Billy Ray Cyrus, to see if he would fit the role as Hannah's dad.Hannah Montana as the lead character Miley Stewart, whose alter egopop music sensation Hannah Montana. Cyrus also performs in character as Hannah Montana for albums and concerts. Cyrus currently stars in is the

In 2004, Cyrus became a spokesperson for Daisy Rock Guitars, when she was presented with her first Daisy Rock guitar— the Stardust Series Acoustic Electric Pink Sparkle. 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.

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 spent the rest of 2006 opening for The Cheetah Girls on 20 dates of their 39-city tour. Cyrus also appeared in the Disney Channel Hannah Montana promotion, "Hannah Montana's Backstage Secrets", in which she portrays Hannah Montana in a fictional interview set in the show's canon.

Walt Disney Records released the Hannah Montana soundtrack on October 24, 2006. 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 for her own albums. On December 25, 2006, Cyrus performed as Hannah Montana at the Walt Disney Christmas Parade, singing her version of the holiday classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree".

Cyrus at the 2007 American Music Awards, November 18, 2007.

On June 26, 2007, exactly eight months after the release of the first soundtrack, Cyrus released a double album, Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus. The first disc served as the second Hannah Montana soundtrack, while the second disc was Cyrus' debut album as herself. She co-wrote, eight of the ten songs and was credited as "Destiny Hope Cyrus". Cyrus had a brief cameo in High School Musical 2 credited as "Girl at Pool", where she danced in front of the pool wearing a yellow baby doll top before the end credits.

While attending the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix premiere, Cyrus stated that they are working on ideas for a Hannah Montana movie. The feature-length film is to be produced by Cyrus's both on and off-screen dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.

Disney released a Hannah Montana clothing collection in late summer. Cyrus helped to design some of the pieces from the collection. "It's not a costume. A tween girl isn't doing dress-up, they want to look like they could be Hannah Montana's friend. This is a fashion line."

Cyrus is performing both as herself and in character as Hannah Montana on a North American Best of Both Worlds Tour that started on October 18, 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri; the tour was extended, due to high demand, until January 31, 2008, with 69 total dates, 14 more than previously planned. The Jonas Brothers are the opening act for most of the tour. Tour tickets for each date have been selling out in record time after they have gone on sale, disappointing large numbers of fans.

In 2007, Cyrus guest-starred as Yatta on Disney Channel's The Emperor's New School. In December 2007, she was ranked at #17 in the Forbes Top 20 Earners Under 25, with an annual earning of US$3.5 million.

Pregnancy rumor hoax

On September 24, 2007, rumors began circulating that Cyrus was pregnant. The cause of the rumor was an image of a page of J-14 Magazine circulating on the Internet entitled "Miley's Meltdown" and saying among other things "Miley herself confirmed the pregnancy rumors during a J-14 interview". J-14 immediately responded saying that, "Someone doctored the "This Just In" article that appeared on page 16 of J-14's July 2007 issue" and that "this story is completely fabricated!" The real story on J-14's Page 16 magazine was about 'Miley's Gross Habits' told by her co-stars on the set of Hannah Montana.

Personal life

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. Miley Cyrus also taught Emily Osment how to play the guitar and Osment taught Cyrus how to knit. She is also friends with the stars of the highly successful TV movie High School Musical, including Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody stars including Brenda Song. In an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, she stated that she looks up to Hilary Duff as her role model.

(Thanks again, wiki!)

It's good to know that she likes Hilary, too! I like Hilary too! Haha. Anyway, I like Hannah Montana more. ;)

About the "Jake and Miley love team", I really, really support it, it rocks! SO TOTALLY ROCKS!

Now it's time for picture galore:

Who do you like more, Hannah or Miley? [Yeah, add a comment down there.. ;)]

Jakey, oh Jakey, who do you like more, boy?

At first, I thought he was Cody Linley, but it turned out to be a "NO". Who would this guy be?

Oh, Miley, I love dogs, too!

So young, cute and adorable here, Miley!

I really, really love them both! They rock!

Another one! They're so cool together, agree? ;)

No need for a reason why Jake Ryans is obsessed with her.

I just love this pic of her with her [not sure if it's hers] mandolin.

This siggie totally rocks! I'm a STAR! Yeah!