Billy Ray Cyrus Revealed His Role In Hannah Montana Destroyed His Family

Billy Ray Cyrus’ family life was completely broken behind the scenes in large part because of Hannah Montana.

Hannah Montana is one of Disney Channel’s biggest shows of all time. With four seasons airing from 2006 until 2011, this series took the world by storm. It became so popular that tons of Hannah Montana merchandise, soundtrack albums, concert tours, and even a movie sprouted shortly after the show was first released.

While starring in this popular TV series helped kickstart Miley Cyrus’ career, it also took a toll on her personal life. The actress and singer had a hard time breaking up with her Disney star image and finding her own path in music.

Moreover, the success of Hannah Montana changed the Cyrus family’s life significantly. For instance, Noah Cyrus admits that she used to hate the show and her sister’s popularity growing up. More recently, Billy Ray Cyrus revealed that his involvement in Hannah Montana ended up “destroying his family.”

The Role Of Hannah Montana Almost Went To Other Actresses

It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Miley Cyrus playing the role of Hannah Montana. However, this young actress wasn’t the only one considered for this iconic role. In a viral TikTok video, the show’s original casting director, Lisa London shut down the rumors that Mexican singer Belinda almost beat Miley to the role of Hannah Montana.

London then added that in addition to Cyus, two other young actresses were the network’s top choices for this role. They were Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen and Victorious actress Daniella Monet. “These were the final three actresses the network tested out of over 1,200 girls,” London claimed.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Aly and AJ Michalka were also considered for two of the biggest roles on this show. “I adore Lisa London but I have some tea beyond the tea to spill,” AJ wrote via the duo’s Twitter account. “Gary Marsh originally offered the role of ‘Hannah Montana’ to Aly and I was offered the role of [Hannah’s best friend] ‘Lilly Truscott’ (I know this so doesn’t matter but thought I’d chime in).”

Another young star who also rejected the role of Hannah Montana was JoJo. In a 2008 interview for Extra, the singer and actor revealed that she had “No regrets. No regrets at all” over turning down this iconic role.

Does Miley Cyrus Regret Starring In Hannah Montana?

Miley Cyrus has a reported net worth of $160 million and it all started with her role in Hannah Montana. The young actress was paid up to $15,000 per episode as the lead in this popular TV series. The first three seasons of Hannah Montana had almost 30 episodes each, which means that her salary was almost $450,000 per season. This doesn’t take into consideration albums and concert ticket sales or her salary in the Hannah Montana movie.

Although appearing in this popular Disney Channel series helped Cyrus kickstart her career, the singer has some regrets about this role. Upon the 15th anniversary of Hannah Montana, Cyrus wrote a letter to her “alter ego” where she explained that this role had nearly taken over her life. “I had to evolve because Hannah was larger than life, larger than me,” she said. “I felt like I was never going to amount to the success of Hannah Montana.”

The pressure of portraying Hannah Montana also took a huge toll on Miley’s mental and physical health. “I would have anxiety attacks,” the singer once told Marie Claire. “I’d get H๏τ flashes, feel like I was about to pᴀss up or throw up. It would happen a lot before shows … You get in this hole that seems like you’re never going to be able to get out of.”

Cyrus also experienced body dysmorphia because of this role. “From the time I was 11, it was, ‘You’re a pop star! That means you have to be blonde, and you have to have long hair, and you have to put on some glittery tight thing,” she explained. “I was made to look like someone that I wasn’t, which probably caused some body dysmorphia because I had been made pretty every day for so long.”

Despite how hard playing Hannah Montana was for her, Cyrus doesn’t deny that this role had a huge impact on her career and that she wouldn’t be such a huge star today without Hannah.

Billy Ray Cyrus Admitted That Hannah Montana Ruined His Family’s Life

Over the years, Billy Ray Cyrus has admitted that he hated being a part of Hannah Montana. The country star even claims that this popular Disney Channel show ruined his career and family life, leading to his ultimate divorce from Tish Cyrus.

In 2011, the musician told GQ Magazine that Hannah Montana ruined his family. “Oh, it’s huge—it destroyed my family. I’ll tell you right now—the [expletive] show destroyed my family,” Billy Ray explained. “The business was driving a wedge between us.”

Having to spend so much time on set and following Miley on tours and other events meant that Billy Ray couldn’t spend as much time as he wanted with the rest of his family, which ultimately had negative effects on his relationship with his kids and ex-wife.