Miley Cyrus has grown up right before our eyes, from the adorable little girl who starred in Disney’s “Hannah Montana” to the beautiful, poised young woman she is today.

Just two weeks ago, the 19-year-old announced her engagement to actor Liam Hemsworth, who was recently seen in the hit film “The Hunger Games.” The two met while shooting the 2009 film “The Last Song.”

Did you know?

Miley was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, but soon acquired the nickname “Smiley,” later shortened to “Miley.” A couple of years ago, she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus. The “Ray” is in honor of her adored grandfather Ronald Ray Cyrus, who died in 2006.

Miley picked up the acting bug at the age of eight, when she watched her dad Billy Ray Cyrus film his TV show “Doc” in Toronto, Canada. She was inspired to start taking singing and acting lessons at the Armstrong Acting Studio in Toronto. Later, she played a small part on her dad’s show.

Country superstar Dolly Parton is Miley’s godmother. Her dad Billy Ray co-starred with Dolly in her 1993 video “Romeo.”

Miley was baptized in a Southern Baptist church in 2005.

Miley was a cheerleader for the Premiere Tennessee Panthers but was kicked off the squad for missing too many games due to auditioning for “Hannah Montana.”

At the age of 11, Miley first auditioned for “Hannah Montana,” going for the best friend role. She got a callback to audition for the lead, but was considered too small and too young for the role of a middle school student with a secret double life as a teen pop star. Miley refused to take “no” for an answer and kept pursuing the part. She finally landed the role that launched her career at the age of 12.