In recent discussions, the media has been buzzing about Miley Cyrus’ most recent photoshoot for Paper Magazine. This particular shoot caused quite the stir as she posed alongside her beloved pet pig, Bubba Sue, and openly revealed her bisexuality.

However, Rachel Devine, a photographer who had previously collaborated with the singer, fondly recalls her as a young and innocent girl named Destiny Hope Cyrus.

Back in 2004, when she was just 11 years old, Devine captured some unseen images of Destiny in Los Angeles. These pictures showcase a confident and charming young girl, known as “Smiley Miley” due to her infectious smile. In the photographs, Destiny exudes femininity with her cute pigtails and embodies a youthful flair.

Back in 2004, a young girl named Destiny Hope Cyrus, who later became known as Miley, took part in a modelling session at the age of 11. The photographer, Rachel, fondly recalled the girl’s warm and joyful nature throughout the shoot.

In fact, Miley was so adamant about being called by her chosen name that she wrote it in quotation marks on her card. This delightful encounter coincided with Miley’s rise to fame as Miley Stewart in the renowned Disney show, Hannah Montana, which captivated audiences from 2006 to 2011.

Ecstatic with bliss: Seized within these one-of-a-kind images is the sight of an assured 11-year-old named Destiny, radiating an enchanting grin and sporting delightful pigtail braids as she gracefully strikes poses for the camera.

During their inaugural photo shoot, Rachel Devine, an adept photographer, successfully captured breathtaking images of a youthful lady before her ascent to stardom in the modeling realm.

These photographs depict the moment when Miley Cyrus skyrocketed to stardom through her iconic portrayal of the beloved protagonist, Miley Stewart, in the widely adored Disney channel series, Hannah Montana. This cherished show graced screens for a remarkable five seasons, from 2006 to 2011.

Rachel, a photographer based in Melbourne, has a nostalgic memory of Miley Cyrus’ early days in front of the camera. This was before the singer’s infamous 2013 MTV VMAs performance, which catapulted her to worldwide fame. Operating a photoblogging website called Sesame Ellis, Rachel took the time to reflect on Cyrus’ humble beginnings.

It was in 2008 that Cyrus officially changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus and expressed her enthusiasm for her first significant acting role during one of their photoshoots. Although Rachel can’t be certain, she believes Cyrus had been working on a television series for one season when they collaborated, and the young star was just beginning to make a name for herself.

Rachel fondly recalls her conversation with Miley, where they excitedly discussed Miley’s triumphant achievement of landing her first major acting role. It was clear that Miley possessed tremendous ambitions and held lofty aspirations.

The photographer commented on how effortless it was to collaborate with Miley, noting her enthusiasm for striking poses during the shoot surpassed even that of her parents who were there with her.

Fate had already set its course early on, as the child’s unwavering passion for the world of entertainment emerged clearly.

The photographer expressed her admiration for Miley Cyrus, acknowledging her innate talent and bright future from the beginning. However, to her amazement, Miley’s rise to becoming a global sensation surpassed her wildest expectations.

During their initial encounter, Miley exuded excitement for the upcoming show, without revealing any grand ambitions. Yet, Rachel couldn’t help but notice Miley’s warm and approachable nature, making her a natural fit for the entertainment world. Nevertheless, Rachel could never have foreseen the incredible achievements that Miley would ultimately accomplish in her career.

Initially, the shooting commenced prior to Miley’s debut on the Disney channel.

In her early years, Rachel was a young and driven individual with a strong desire to achieve greatness. She found her passion in photography, specifically working with child stars. Rachel had a unique ability to recognize the genuine passion in aspiring young talents, as opposed to those who were simply guided by their parents’ wishes. Among the many clients that Rachel worked with, there was one who truly stood out in the entertainment industry – the talented artist known for hits like “We Can’t Stop”. Over the span of two decades, Rachel built a successful career in photography, which included the publication of four books focusing on capturing the essence of child photography.

From an early age, it was apparent in the photographs that Destiny possessed all the qualities to become a true sensation. Rachel firmly believes that Miley Cyrus, with her extraordinary talent, remains unmatched by any other star.

As Miley has matured before the public eye, her remarkable transformations have stunned Rachel, yet her achievements never come as a shock because Rachel always had faith in Miley’s boundless potential.

Miley Cyrus has enjoyed global recognition for more than ten years, captivating audiences worldwide throughout her career.

The photographer looks back on her memories of Miley Cyrus as a young girl with nostalgic fondness. The photographer reminisces about the times when Miley would sport adorable braids and curls, dressed in age-appropriate attire, and never wearing any makeup. The photographer remembers Miley as a genuinely sweet child who would occasionally add a touch of lip gloss to her look. Despite the scandals and provocative online persona that Miley has adopted in recent years, the photographer’s affection for the once beloved child star remains unchanged. Currently residing in Melbourne with her family, the blogger continues to be a loyal fan of Miley, choosing to appreciate her despite her controversial behavior.

As Rachel sifted through her old photos, she couldn’t help but take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. She found herself absolutely enchanted by the adorable little girl captured in those snapshots. It’s hard to believe that only 11 years have passed since those moments were frozen in time, especially considering all the changes that have occurred since then. It truly is astonishing to witness the growth and development of an individual over a span of just over a decade. Rachel holds great admiration for this person and only wishes for their happiness and fulfillment. She views them as an incredible and captivating individual, and is heartened by their positive contributions to society.

Currently, Miley Cyrus has captivated audiences worldwide, and she was recently seen in the bustling streets of New York a mere few days ago.

Prior to landing her breakthrough role in the hit television show Hannah Montana, this promising young star had already made her mark in the world of modeling. A remarkable three years before the show’s highly anticipated debut in 2007, she had already experienced her very first professional photoshoot. As her career progressed, she captivated audiences worldwide and cemented her status as a beloved Disney princess.

Hannah Montana turned Miley Cyrus into mega adult star, but she was underpaid in the show.

Miley Cyrus went on to have a successful career as a child star. At just the age of 12, she became a teen idol, starring in the 2006 sitcom Hannah Montana.

Miley Cyrus in and as Hannah Montana (2006-2011).

She portrayed cheeky Miley Stewart, who balances double life as both an average girl and a sensational pop singer named Hannah Montana. In this Disney show, she constantly tries to hide her true identity from the public.

This role came as a big break for little Cyrus. As an adult, she built an enormous fortune with the role. But it’d come as a shocker that she was the least-paid person in the show despite receiving $450k per season.

Miley Cyrus was the Least Paid Actor in Hannah Montana

Miley Cyrus in a still from Hannah Montana

As per the Celebrity Net Worth, Miley Cyrus’ net worth is estimated to be $160 million. And the pop singer made most of that before she turned 18, all thanks to Hannah Montana.

It’s reported that she was paid up to $15,000 an episode of Hannah Montana, which is equivalent to around $450,000 a season.

Even though she received big bucks just as an adult, the singer was actually one of the least-paid actors on the show. Cyrus said that herself in an interview. She told Elle in 2016:

“I did not grow up spoiled in any way. I just wanted to be on TV. I mean, at one point—they’ll probably kill me for saying it—I was probably the least paid person on my cast because I didn’t know any better.

I was just like, ‘I can be on Disney? Yeah, I want to do it!’ My name was Miley on my show, but I didn’t own my name—we didn’t think about that.”

At that time, Cyrus only hoped to be on the big screen. She didn’t think she was underpaid on the show anyway because her only motive was to be on Disney. But now the singer earns more than what she earlier used to. Her The Voice salary is a living example of it.

Miley Cyrus’ The Voice Salary and More

Miley Cyrus in The Voice

Miley Cyrus’ The Voice salary was big as a judge on seasons 11 and 13. Her reported salary was $13 million in salary in 2016 in the reality TV show. But the Jolene singer confirmed on The Howard Stern Show while promoting her album Younger Now in 2017 that the show’s 13th season would be her last, at least for now.

In 2022, Cyrus was named in Forbes magazine‘s 30 under 30 list. The 30-year-old reflected on her career and said, “One thing I’m very proud of is that I started my business before I started my period.” She then continued:

“And now, I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, inducted Joan Jett into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—all on my period. It has never gotten in the way of me being a businesswoman.”
No doubt Cyrus came a long way—from starring in a Disney show as a pop idol on the screen to becoming a pop singer off-screen.