Hannah Montana is the story of 14-year-old Miley Stewart, a girl from Tennessee who leads a double-life as an international singing sensation known as Hannah Montana. Residing in Malibu with her widowed father Robby and her brother Jackson, the sometimes socially awkward Miley seeks to live a normal life -- as normal, that is, as life can be in that formidable enclave of the wealthy and powerful. She's able to do this simply by not wearing the signature blonde wig she dons whenever she appears as Hannah, a suspension of disbelief that might be a stretch for adult viewers but will be readily accepted by kids.
Hannah's performances in each episode provide the kind of musical entertainment for which Disney Channel viewers have shown great enthusiasm. Miley Cyrus, the 13-year-old actress who portrays Miley/Hannah and does her own singing in the show, could become the next iTunes superstar. Hannah Montana might also bring a new generation of fans to Miley's real-life father, actor and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus (Achy Breaky Heart), who plays her father in the show.

Billy Ray Cyrus & daughter Miley Cyrus

MediaVillage junior correspondent Maya Motavalli recently interviewed Miley Cyrus in New York City. Primed not so much by Disney's press department as by the advance promotion for Hannah Montana on the network and Disney's Web site, Maya was anxious to learn as much as she could about Miley Cyrus, Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana. Miley was getting her first real taste of the interview circuit and was flustered by the "strange" questions from a journalist she had just spoken with, several of them about her "favorite cheese." We assured her there would be no talk of cheese or other dairy products. An edited transcript of the interview follows.
Maya Motavalli: What is it like having your dad on the set? Miley Cyrus: It's kind of cool, but like with anybody it's kind of weird at the same time. But it's really good to have him there when he can support me. If I ever have a question my dad's right there!

MM: Does your dad ever embarrass you on the set? MC: Oh, yeah! When we're doing photo shoots or something he'll just yell out things I wouldn't want anyone to know. Just random stuff. "Remember that time when you were a kid?" That kind of stuff. But it's funny. It breaks the ice. It makes everyone smile. If it takes embarrassing me to make everyone happy I'll take it.
MM: Do you do your own singing on the show? MC: I do. All the songs that are in the show, even the theme song, will all be me singing. I recorded eight or nine songs already. Nine episodes, nine songs.
MM: Will you do a soundtrack album? MC: Right now we're just all really focused on making Hannah Montana the show as good as it can be, but hopefully in the future there may be a Hannah Montana soundtrack. Or a Miley Cyrus album. They're talking about a [ring tone]. You never know. I don't really have a for-sure answer yet.
MM: Was your dad ever a musical influence on you? MC: Yes, he was. He taught me to keep going, keep pushing.
MM: Who are your musical and acting influences? MC: For music it's [American Idol winner] Kelly Clarkson. For acting it's not a person. I always try to be really real. It's kind of hard to [let yourself shine] through a character. Anyone who has the ability to do that I really look up to.

MM: Do you think Hannah Montana is going to become really popular? MC: I hope so. Hannah in the show is enormous, like a Hilary Duff of TV. I hope everyone really likes her. (Laughs) She's a great person!
MM: How would you feel if you were recognized like Hannah every time you went out in public? MC: Now that commercials [for the series] are starting some people recognize me. I really like it. I think Hannah gets nervous just like any other person would. She's like a dork, personally. She's just really, really fun.
MM: What are some of the upcoming stories on Hannah Montana? MC: There's one about me having a boyfriend and having to be torn between being Miley and being with him or being Hannah and being with the band.
MM: What's next for you? MC: Hopefully continuing to follow my dream and getting to do all this kind of stuff. I don't really know what's in store but I hope I can pursue this.

MTV: If you had to choose between acting and singing, which would you go with?

Miley Cyrus: It depends because acting is so cool, like being on set and that kind of thing. But singing is a better way to be yourself, so I can't choose.


MTV: Your dad is country music star Billy Ray Cyrus. Does the notoriety of his big hit, "Achy Breaky Heart," make you proud or embarrassed?

Miley Cyrus: I love his song with Judd. I mean, it was his big thing, and he loves the song and it made everyone happy, which is cool -- but it's pretty embarrassing.


MTV: What are you going to be for Halloween?
Miley Cyrus: I don't think I'll be going out, but if I do then I can just dress up as Hannah Montana and I'll be slammin'. But, I'll probably just go out with my little sister and be me.


MTV: What are your top 5 favorite videos or songs right now?
Miley Cyrus: Beyonce's "Deja Vu." And AFI's "Miss Murder" was cool. My brother and I just usually rock out. We don't even remember who sings the songs half the time, but we just totally rock out. So, probably a little bit of everything.


MTV: What's on the slate for your future that your fans should know about?
Miley Cyrus: My album comes out in May and we have season two of AMS coming out so we have a lot of things going on.


LaurenInMusic: Hi Miley!
HannahMeetMiley: how are you doing!
LaurenInMusic: I'm doing great! How are you?
HannahMeetMiley: I'm doing great thanks!
LaurenInMusic: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today here at AOL Music! Where are you IM'ing from?
HannahMeetMiley: I'm in my hotel room in NYC! I just got back from the mall and got paparrazied
HannahMeetMiley: it was so crazy!
LaurenInMusic: Is it your first time in the city?
HannahMeetMiley: noooo we come here for press all the time!
LaurenInMusic: oh very cool! I heard you're playing in Bryant Park soon, what can we expect to hear from you?
HannahMeetMiley: yes I'm performing in Bryant Park on Good Morning America and then I have a ton of press
LaurenInMusic: Will you be playing anything off your new album (which by the way, I absolutely love and am going to buy as soon as it comes out)?
HannahMeetMiley: yes it will be all the Hannah Montana music but then June 26th (the day of the album) i have a concert in L.A. for Hollywood Highland
LaurenInMusic: I noticed you did some writing on the new album...is there anything different your fans should expect?
HannahMeetMiley: ok let me give you the scoop!
HannahMeetMiley: it's a dual set disc so one CD is Hannah Montana and the other CD is Miley Cyrus, so having the real me on an album is definitely different
HannahMeetMiley: but then it also has a really different sound, there's a huge contrast between me and Hannah which shows off the 2 different characters
HannahMeetMiley: so i hope everyone likes the new stuff they'll be hearing!
LaurenInMusic: I noticed the contrast between the two when I previewed it
HannahMeetMiley: aww awesome
LaurenInMusic: I think it sounds amazing and I'm sure everyone else will too!
HannahMeetMiley: thanks so much
LaurenInMusic: So you're in New York ... I've heard you love to shop ... got any major shopping plans while you're in town this week?
HannahMeetMiley: right after this chat me and my mom are off to have a mommy daughter shopping spree
HannahMeetMiley: we're going down to Soho!!!!!!
HannahMeetMiley: so0o0 fun!
LaurenInMusic: can you swing here and get me on your way?
HannahMeetMiley: haha I wish...
HannahMeetMiley: :)
LaurenInMusic: kidding ... but seriously I must say, I absolutely love your style and think you have some awesome outfits
HannahMeetMiley: thanks so much!
LaurenInMusic: How would you say that your personal style reflects upon your show 'Hannah Montana' and on your albums?
HannahMeetMiley: my style is very comfy casual...sometimes i like to put on jeans, a white t-shirt and cute boots...then sometimes i like being in little Juicy sweats, it depends on my mood
HannahMeetMiley: so i think just from having to dress up on the show so much, on my days off or in the studio i like being as comfy as possible
LaurenInMusic: Ok cool
HannahMeetMiley: ya!
HannahMeetMiley: =)
LaurenInMusic: Do you have a favorite designer?
HannahMeetMiley: umm i love Juicy Couture!
HannahMeetMiley: but also looove Dior sunglasses!
HannahMeetMiley: then again i can't ever pass up some good Forever 21 shopping!
HannahMeetMiley: gotta love it, cheap and cute haha!
LaurenInMusic: That's how I feel about Forever 21. It's my favorite place to do some last minute shopping and you sure can't beat the price and its cuteness!
HannahMeetMiley: i know its so great!
LaurenInMusic: So anyway ... what's it like having grown up with Billy Ray Cyrus as a father? And to now have him starring as your TV dad on 'Hannah Montana'?
LaurenInMusic: You sure can't get away with anything behind the 'rents backs, right? j/k
HannahMeetMiley: it's great! it was hard when he was gone on tour all the time, but once i was like 3 he took a little break to take time for his fam
HannahMeetMiley: i love seeing him back in action on the show =)
LaurenInMusic: that's awesome!
HannahMeetMiley: me parents are really cool! i love chillin wiff em
LaurenInMusic: I also noticed you were a major supporter on 'Dancing With the Stars' when he was on the show ...
LaurenInMusic: that must have been pretty sweet to watch him on it
HannahMeetMiley: ya i learned alot too
LaurenInMusic: how so?
HannahMeetMiley: just watching him was really cool and i could watch his feet up close and learn slowly
LaurenInMusic: Awesome!
LaurenInMusic: So I heard you'll be in 'High School Musical 2' ... is there anything you can tell me about that role?
HannahMeetMiley: i can't give too much away! but i "hear" there's some pretty cool "guest starzz"
HannahMeetMiley: haha =)
LaurenInMusic: So do you have a boyfriend right now?
HannahMeetMiley: no but I'm looking ;-)
LaurenInMusic: Any celebrity crushes?
HannahMeetMiley: i love Orlando Bloom...Jude Law...
LaurenInMusic: they are sexy
HannahMeetMiley: i knowww
LaurenInMusic: Is there any other musician that you would one day hope to work with?
HannahMeetMiley: ummm maybe Kelly Clarkson which is weird cause our album comezzz out the same day =0
LaurenInMusic: She is pretty sweet, I would love to see a duet between the two of you
HannahMeetMiley: it would be rockin, huh?
LaurenInMusic: It definitely would!
HannahMeetMiley: awesome
LaurenInMusic: A few months back we did a 21 Under 21 feature of the hottest young talented musicians and we put you as Number 2
LaurenInMusic: How does it feel to be such a big star at such a young age?
HannahMeetMiley: thhhaankksss! i love hearing things like that, it makes me so happy to know the response
HannahMeetMiley: it's alot of pressure, but it helps me strive to be better person
LaurenInMusic: That's so refreshing to hear!
HannahMeetMiley: great!
LaurenInMusic: You are a big role model for so many girls everywhere and although it seems like it would be a lot of pressure, what do you do to maintain your great role model image? And how do you plan on keeping it up over the years?
HannahMeetMiley: i always make sure that whether it's what I'm wearing or who I'm with, I'd want a little girl to say that she wants to be like me and that be ok
HannahMeetMiley: not where it would be bad, ya know what i mean
LaurenInMusic: Thats awesome!
LaurenInMusic: My cousin idolizes you and it's refreshing to hear that you care what your fans think
HannahMeetMiley: of course
HannahMeetMiley: well my mom's about to kill me she's ready to shopppp
HannahMeetMiley: haha but thanks for talking wiff me!
LaurenInMusic: I am so jealous...I wish I were out of the office shopping in SoHo...have an excellent time!
HannahMeetMiley: you're awesome, thanks for talking wiff me! Remember june 26th
HannahMeetMiley: haha xoxox, milezzzz
LaurenInMusic: Thanks for chatting with me!