Billy Ray Cyrus Had to Audition To Play His Own Daughter’s Father on ‘Hannah Montana’

It’s hard to imagine that Billy Ray Cyrus needed to audition to play daughter Miley’s dad on ‘Hannah Montana.’ But it’s true.

Miley Cyrus Explains Her and Dad Billy Ray's 'Different' Relationships to Fame

The role of Hannah Montana catapulted singing star Miley Cyrus to fame years ago. The family-friendly show struck a chord with audiences who loved young Miley. They delighted in the whole concept of the Disney series. Today, at 33, she is fondly looking back on the television vehicle that proved so instrumental in her life and career.

Per Variety, the series, which aired from 2006 to 2011, was crazy popular. Fangirls worshipped Hannah, and by extension, Miley Cyrus. Now, on the 20th anniversary of the show, the “Flowers” singer is pausing and doing some heavy-duty reminiscing. “It’s not just about the show itself,” she shared with the outlet, “It’s about the entire evolution of myself growing.”

Billy Ray Cyrus Was Not an Instant Shoo-In for the Role of Hannah Montana’s Dad

You would think that a star of the magnitude of Billy Ray Cyrus would get an automatic “yes” to play his daughter’s father on the show. But that was not quite the case.

A Disney casting director wistfully said, “Too bad we can’t afford her real dad” when Hannah Montana was being cast. Billy Ray’s wife at the time, Tish Cyrus, piped up and said, “Oh, maybe you can.” Tish then urged Billy Ray ito come to California for an audition. She saw it not only as a juicy professional gig, but as a way “to reunite their family,” per the outlet.

Although Miley says that her father is “too nice,” he sure did hit it out of the ballpark with the Disney folks. Miley notes now, “We knocked ’em out.” Billy Ray appeared in 99 episodes of the series as Hannah’s manager/songwriter dad.

The Cyruses Guarded Miley From Some of the Pitfalls of Childhood Stardom

Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus did not exploit their dazzlingly successful daughter. They protected her. She says today, “My parents didn’t need me to be famous to survive or to be stable…Every penny I ever made went into my bank acount because my parents were good.”

She added, “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 when I was going to be alone in that dressing room.”