Call it coincidence, or just sticking with what you know, speculation abounds that Miley’s 20-year-old boyfriend (underwear model Justin Gaston) is a younger version of her dear ol’ dad. But, that doesn’t stop this teen idol from making headlines with her music, television, and now big-screen movie career!

Born Destiny Hope Cyrus, this middle daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus quickly earned the nickname Smiley, shortened to Miley, thanks to her sunny disposition. By the time she was nine, she began taking acting classes at the Armstrong Acting Studio in Toronto, Canada. Though Billy Ray may have tried to keep her out of the spotlight, wanting her to enjoy just being a kid, Miley couldn’t resist and soon marked her career as an actress with a guest role on her father’s TV series Doc.

A few acting roles in movies and music videos later, her audition for Disney’s Hannah Montana truly marked her star in Hollywood at only 12 years old. Ironically, she was originally turned down for the series, but thanks to her persistence, was called back for further auditions, which eventually landed her the career-making role.

Miley naturally has marked herself as a singer as well, releasing a solo album (doubled with a part II of the Hannah Montana soundtrack) and recently made her way back to the big screen with her movie Hannah Montana: The Movie and Bolt.

[Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com]

Do you approve of this 16-year-old actress dating a 20-year-old guy?