Miley Cyrus discloses that Billy Ray Cyrus had to audition to play her father on Hannah Montana, nearly blowing the part by encouraging other candidates. The actress also credits his constant on‑set presence with shielding her from the exploitative pitfalls that have derailed many child stars, as the beloved series prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Miley Cyrus is opening up about a casting secret that could have rewritten Disney Channel history — and it involves her real‑life father, Billy Ray Cyrus, almost losing the part that made him a TV icon. In an exclusive interview with Variety, the superstar reveals that Billy Ray had to audition for the role of her on‑screen dad, Robby Ray Stewart, and nearly sabotaged his chances by being “too nice” to fellow auditioning fathers.
The “Too Nice” Audition That Almost Wasn’t
When Disney Channel began developing Hannah Montana, Miley originally auditioned for the title role but was passed over. “They taped my first audition and decided to go a different direction,” she recalls. A year later, she was called to Los Angeles for an in‑person callback and finally won the part. As casting moved forward for Hannah’s family, Miley’s mother, Tish Cyrus, noticed a Disney casting director joking that they couldn’t afford “her real dad.” Tish seized the opportunity, suggesting Billy Ray — then splitting his time between Canada and Tennessee while filming the drama Doc — might be available.
The only problem: Billy Ray almost gave the role away before he even started. Miley explains that her dad was “too nice” and started encouraging other dads at auditions to try out for what became the role of Robby Ray Stewart. “He goes out into the parking lot, grabs other dads, brings them into Disney and is like, ‘You should hire this guy! He’s a great actor!’” she says, laughing. “And my mom was behind him, squeezing his back, saying, ‘Shut up! We need you to get the role so we can all move out here!’”
Despite the self‑sabotage, the family’s genuine chemistry was undeniable. “My dad always says, ‘When you knock ’em out, you don’t need a judge.’ We knocked ’em out,” Miley notes. Billy Ray’s portrayal ultimately spanned 99 episodes, creating an authentic father‑daughter bond that fans still cherish. “It was so obvious, after all the other dads, that you can’t fake the kind of connection that we have — the inside jokes, the nicknames, the handshakes, singing the songs together. It was a TKO.”
A Father’s Unwavering Protection On Set
Equally important to Miley is the protective environment her parents built around her during the show’s five‑year run. “My parents didn’t need me to be famous to survive or to be stable,” she says. “What happens to a lot of these kids is their parents want it more than they do, or the kids become responsible for the entire income of the family. That was never my job. Every penny I ever made went into my bank account because my parents were good.”
Billy Ray was on set every day, with connecting dressing rooms separated only by an office that housed Miley’s fan club, managed by her grandmother, Loretta “Mammie” Finley. “My dad was on set every single day, so there was nothing that could happen that he wouldn’t know about. There was never a time where I was going to be alone in that dressing room,” Miley recalls. This constant parental oversight shielded her from many of the dark realities that have ensnared other child stars.
The Legacy of Hannah Montana and Its 20th Anniversary
As Hannah Montana approaches its 20th anniversary, the story of the Cyrus family’s collaboration feels more poignant than ever. The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premieres on March 24 — exactly two decades after the original series debuted on Disney Channel — on Disney and Disney+. The special promises a nostalgic behind‑the‑scenes look at the show that launched Miley into superstardom and cemented a family legacy in pop culture.
For a generation of viewers, this revelation adds a new layer to a beloved series. Knowing that the on‑screen chemistry between Miley and Billy Ray was rooted in real love, inside jokes, and a nearly botched audition only deepens the emotional connection fans still feel. Online, rumors of a reboot or sequel have circulated for years, and the upcoming special has reignited excitement across social media.
Key Revelations from Miley’s Interview:
- Billy Ray Cyrus had to audition for the role of Robby Ray Stewart and nearly lost it by encouraging other actors.
- Miley’s mother, Tish Cyrus, advocated for his casting after a Disney executive made a joking remark.
- The authentic family chemistry sealed Billy Ray’s fate, leading to 99 episodes and a memorable on‑screen partnership.
- Billy Ray’s daily presence on set provided a protective shield that helped Miley avoid common child‑star pitfalls.
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