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Showbiz Tonight
Kim K`s Sexy Selfie Goes Viral; `SNL` Controversy Over Black Female Comedians; Miley Appears in Suitcase in MTV Ad; Mischa Barton Opens Up about Breakdown; Why Did Charlie Hunnam Quit `50 Shades of Grey`?; The Life of Miley
Aired October 17, 2013 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
NATASHA CURRY, HOST: Tonight, on the "Top Five Countdown," Kim`s shocking selfie.
Check her out. Kim`s back. Her baby weight is gone. She set the Internet on fire after posting this revealing new photo. So is it too much of a good thing? You know what I`m talking about.
Plus, Miley stuffs herself into a suitcase.
Yes.
All right. So Miley, we know you`re all about controversy, but what the heck are you doing stuffed in a suitcase with D.J. Redfoo watching there? I don`t know. I`m going to reveal all of it.
Plus, I`m bringing you brand-new revelations about Miley`s life before fame in an eye-opening special report.
SBT starts right now.
Hey, there. How you doing? I`m Natasha Curry in for A.J. Hammer, and our special report on the life of Miley Cyrus, including new revelations from those closest to her, is coming up for you.
But first, I want to begin with our countdown of today`s top five must-see, must-share stories of the day.
And talk about must-see. At No. 5, baby weight? What baby weight? Check out Kim Kardashian`s backside selfie here. It just went crazy viral, basically sticking it to all those haters that she got her sexy back, so kiss it.
Jenny Hutt, host of "Just Jenny" on Sirius XM Radio, is with us tonight.
JENNY HUTT, HOST, SIRIUS XM RADIO`S "JUST JENNY": Yes.
CURRY: Jenny, you`re a mom, too. What do you think? Cover up that, you know, side boobage or work it, Mama? What do you think?
HUTT: First of all, I think good for her that she`s working it.
CURRY: Right.
HUTT: I mean, if that was my tushie, I`d probably want it displayed like that for the rest of the universe.
However, because I`m a mom, and I`ve had this conversation with my husband, I won`t post naked pictures or almost naked pictures, because -- I mean, that`s the only reason why. Because I don`t want to upset my children.
CURRY: Oh, yes.
HUTT: And by the way, or anyone else who would see them, because this -- uncovered.
CURRY: I almost want to frame it and put it on my refrigerator to make me behave, because I mean, she really dropped that baby weight.
HUTT: To make you behave? Natasha, you`re like the most gorgeous thing ever. Are you kidding me?
CURRY: Girl, I couldn`t even put my fat cankle after having a baby into part of that suit. She did well. And she captioned this picture #NoFilter.
But after her honey Kanye saw this comment, he tweeted, "Heading home now."
So can we get Frangela from VH-1`s "Best Week Ever" joins us from Hollywood.
Fran, I`m wondering: maybe baby No. 2 is going to be on the way soon. What do you think? She`s looking good.
FRANCES CALLIER, CO-HOST, "IDIOT OF THE WEEK": Yes, after that picture, yes.
ANGELA V. SHELTON, CO-HOST, "IDIOT OF THE WEEK": I don`t know where she`s carrying it. She may be pregnant now. Maybe her uterus is in a different place.
CURRY: Angela, what do you think of Kim`s selfie?
SHELTON: I think in her defense there may not be enough fabric on the planet, No. 1.
CURRY: Right. Right. Yes, No. 2, go for it.
SHELTON: No. 2, we feel like, you know what? This is how she and Kanye, this is how they communicate.
CALLIER: Absolutely. We`re just all lucky to be able to be part of this relationship.
SHELTON: They don`t know each over well enough to actually give each other, you know, their cell-phone numbers, clearly, so they have to do the Instagram and the Twitter. And when they feel like they know each other better, maybe then it will be every part of their relationship.
CALLIER: It`s foreplay.
CURRY: That`s hilarious. This picture is making everybody wonder. Maybe Kim, she`s gearing up to pose for "Playboy" again. Because you know, on the latest episode of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," which you know, was shot while she was pregnant, Kim said that she wanted to do another "Playboy" spread. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: As soon as I pop this thing out, as soon as I get in shape, the first thing I want to do is, like, "Playboy" or some nude shoot. I just want to, like, walk down the street fully naked. You have no idea.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are so adventurous.
KARDASHIAN: I`m going to be, like, a sexy hot mom.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re getting your sexy back?
KARDASHIAN: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: And they say after having a baby, you lose all modesty. But maybe she lost it a long time ago, if you know what I mean?
Jenny, she posed for "Playboy" back in 2007. Is it time for a repeat or should she put some clothes on? What do you think, quickly?
HUTT: I say go for it.
CURRY: Yes. Yes?
HUTT: Yes. Of course. I mean, surprise, she wants to be naked. Hello.
CURRY: Yes. All right. Well, we`ll see what she does, and we`ll tell you. You know that.
Moving on now to No. 4 on our countdown: a comedy controversy that nobody`s laughing about today.
"Saturday Night Live" has been getting slammed after announcing its brand- new cast. So the issue here? Well, for the sixth year in a row, the show has no black comedians who are women. And now "SNL`s" Keenan Thompson is getting scorched on Twitter after just telling "TV Guide" that`s because there`s a shortage of good black female comedians?
Here`s what he said: "It`s just a tough part of the business. Like in auditions, they just never find ones that are ready."
Francis, Angela. I`m betting you think he`s got that all wrong for sure. What do you think?
CALLIER: Absolutely. You know, he`s shutting the door on all African- American comedians. How can you do that?
FULTON: Also, though, it is the funniest thing he`s ever said.
CURRY: Well, comedian Sherry Shepard, she co-hosts "The View," and she`s really ticked off about this, pointing out this has always been a problem on "SNL." Watch here what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRY SHEPARD, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": That really insults me, because I feel like after -- in 39 years you`ve had four black very funny female comedians who are regular cast members.
BARBARA WALTER, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": Do you think they`re against black women or women?
SHEPARD: They`re not doing the work to find funny women of color. There are so -- you`re not doing the work if you tell me that there`s no funny black women or women of color.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: All right. So Angela, does Sherry have that right?
FULTON: There`s a lot of things at work here. No. 1, I wish that we as a community, whether that be women or black people, if we could support each other. That would be great for a change.
CALLIER: Yes.
FULTON: But on top of that, the reality is that the feeding grounds that "SNL" uses primarily for their comedians are improv-based theaters, and they aren`t integrated very well. You know, it`s just not a community that has a lot of minorities in it. But there are tons of funny black women out here. Right here.
CALLIER: Right here.
CURRY: Exactly. You guys would be great. Ready to go.
FULTON: That`s what I`m trying to say.
CURRY: Yes. We tried to be very -- we reached out to "SNL" today, but they didn`t get back to us by our deadline. But I want to...
FULTON: I`m shocked.
CALLIER: Shocking.
FULTON: Right after Keenan`s comments went viral, "SNL" announced "Scandal`s" Kerry Washington is going to host the show November 2. So Fran, coincidence or do you smell a rat?
CALLIER: Oh, my goodness. I can smell this all the way here in Los Angeles.
FULTON: We need a black person. Get us a black person.
CALLIER: There`s one in the walls.
FULTON: Come out! Throw out some kind of bait.
CURRY: Well, "SNL`s" Jay Pharoah has this suggestion. He said, "Why don`t you hire Darmirra Brunson," who stars on Tyler Perry`s TV show, "Love Thy Neighbor." And you know that Sherry Shepard said the very same thing.
I want you here to check out Darmirra`s sketch on her YouTube channel. This is channeling Beyonce from her documentary, "Life is But a Dream."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DARMIRRA BRUNSON, COMEDIAN: Sometimes I ask myself why was I given this life. Why did God give me all these gifts? This amazing family. This big-ass house. And then I remember, it`s because I`m light-skinned.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: Aww. Angela. She`s hysterical.
FULTON: It`s ridiculous to say there aren`t funny black women out here. I find it reprehensible that Keenan would do that.
CALLIER: Yes.
FULTON: It really is insulting. And I`m kind of sick of being insulted by male comedians. You know?
CURRY: You could have a comedian-off.
What do you think? Should Lorne Michaels -- I don`t know -- should give you guys a call? Because you guys, like you said, you`re ready to go. You`re making me laugh.
FULTON: We`re kind of busy. We left a meeting for another show where we were being paid to be funny.
CALLIER: Yes.
FULTON: He can call our people. We might be able to schedule something.
CURRY: I love it. Ladies, thanks.
Coming in at No. 3 on the countdown, let`s move on to this. What on earth is Miley Cyrus doing hiding inside a suitcase belonging to LMFAO`s D.J. Redfoo? Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anything in your pockets? Anything else?
D.J. REDFOO, LMFAO: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: This reminded me of the boy dance party a little bit there.
Anyway, somehow she managed to lose her clothes yet again. That was a promo for MTV`s EMA Awards in Amsterdam on November 10. Miley`s going to perform. What`s she going to do? Is she going to twerk at the EMA`s like she did at the VMA`s? Who knows?
Frances, I know you played Miley`s bodyguard on "Hannah Montana." What do you think? Should we be bracing ourself for that foam finger next time around here?
CALLIER: I hope she`s got two foam fingers next time.
FULTON: That`s right. Amp it up. Amp it up. Don`t go the other direction, Miley. Roxy has got your back.
CALLIER: Yes. Roxy`s still got your back.
CURRY: And you know, Angela, to the point, don`t you think if Miley`s really looking to shock people, she can do something just obscenely wild and just wear some clothes and sing a cappella.
FULTON: That might cause a rip in the space time continuum. That would be crazy.
CALLIER: Yes.
FULTON: OK, let`s not get crazy.
I would like to point out she didn`t have over three ounces of liquids with her, and that was good. In that suitcase. She`s following guidelines.
CURRY: It was really cute. I mean, she did ham it up a little bit, though, in that suitcase. I was kind of impressed by that.
CALLIER: Yes.
CURRY: And Jenny, keep in mind: the EMAs are in Amsterdam. I`m just saying.
CALLIER: How else is she going to get there?
HUTT: Maybe salvia. Maybe she`s going to Amsterdam for the salvia. Right. It`s legal. So is hash.
CALLIER: Go for it.
FULTON: Show it all. Show all your good-and-plenties. Go. Be free. Be free.
CALLIER: Break free from Hannah Montana.
CURRY: Look at that little smile on her face. Who knows what she`s got up her sleeve?
CALLIER: I love her.
CURRY: If she had a sleeve. If she had a sleeve.
Well, I want you to know: at the bottom of the hour tonight, right here on SBT, we have an eye-opening special report on the life of Miley and the story you have never heard about her, probably, before she was Hannah Montana.
Frances, so having done the show with her, were you ticked off when she recently said that Hannah Montana was basically dead to her?
CALLIER: You know what? I think that when she looks back in ten years, she`s going to take that back. Because on the show she was so grateful and great, and she was a great kid. And she just wants, I`m sure, just like a Britney Spears, like a lot of what Madonna...
FULTON: Like us.
CALLIER: Yes.
FULTON: She wants to grow up.
CALLIER: She wants to grow up.
FULTON: Let us grow up, America.
CURRY: Jenny, Frangela, ladies, thank you so much. Had a lot of fun with you.
And don`t forget: You can listen to Jenny on "Just Jenny" on Sirius XM Radio. And check out Frangela`s podcast on iTunes. It`s called "Idiot of the Week."
And tonight`s countdown is just starting to sizzle. We`re just getting warmed up, because it`s not just because, you know, Charlie Hunnam is making headlines. Tonight, the brand-new clues about why he really left "50 Shades of Grey." Was it all over a shockingly low salary?
But are former "OC" star Mischa Barton`s jaw-dropping breakdown revelations even more startling?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wake up. Wake up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: How Mischa`s fairytale story of fame turned into a nightmare. So you`re wondering which stunning story will be No. 1 on this big countdown? We`re excited.
This is SBT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So how are you?
MISCHA BARTON, ACTRESS: OK, I guess. I mean, I still don`t know what`s going to happen. My parents are fighting all the time. My family`s not perfect; not even close.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: Actress Mischa Barton was unforgettable in her role as Marissa Cooper on FOX`s big hit, "The OC." But then came big trouble, and now Mischa`s revealing that she had a nervous breakdown. That story, breaking today, is No. 2 on our "Top Five Countdown." What a shock.
Mischa became super-famous as a teen on "The OC" and appeared to be living a fairytale life. But now for the first time, she`s revealing a much different tale of partying, drugs and what she calls a full-on breakdown. She talks about her struggles in an all-new interview with "People" magazine.
Liz McNeil is the East Coast news editor for "People" magazine. She`s with us tonight from New York.
Liz, thanks for joining us.
You know, Mischa was 17 starring on one of TV`s biggest shows, jet-setting around the world. What went wrong?
LIZ MCNEIL, EAST COAST NEWS EDITOR, "PEOPLE": You know, as she said it was work hard, play hard. And the possibilities were endless: private planes, parties, a lot of enablers and really nobody to say no.
CURRY: Such a gorgeous young girl, too. I was amazed at how much, too, that she revealed to you guys at "People" magazine. She told you that she hit rock bottom in 2009 while she was starring on the CW`s series, "The Beautiful Life." What exactly happened?
MCNEIL: Well, on that day her parents and her agents had really staged an intervention. They were concerned about her reckless behavior. And at the same time, she had taken an anti-anxiety drug and she had had a bad reaction. She blacked out.
She was taken to Cedar Sinai. And she tried to get away. And in the heat of the moment, she threatened to kill herself. And that was enough to put her under a 5150 hold, which means that she was evaluated in the psychiatric ward for four days. So she was there for four days. She said it was absolutely terrifying and eye-opening, and she knew she had to change.
CURRY: Yes. Some people have to hit rock -- rock bottom for a wake-up call. And Mischa`s family, they stepped in to help her, just like we saw with Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes, who also both wound up in psychiatric institutions. Do you think that`s what made the difference here with Mischa?
MCNEIL: Well, I think even more than that, she really took time for herself. She moved to London, where she`s actually from, and to Paris for a while. She really slowed down, and she didn`t take on any work. And she really realized she had to focus on herself.
She talks a lot about the enormous pressure that she was under and to carry a show, all that, really, at such a young age, 17, 18. She really had to slow it down.
CURRY: Yes. You can`t keep up with that pace forever. Liz, thank you so much for joining us with more on such a huge interview there.
And for more about Mischa Barton`s breakdown and her road to recovery, get the new issue of "People" magazine. It`s out Friday.
And that brings us to our big reveal on tonight`s countdown. Stay right where you are. We are about to roll out the story that will be our No. 1.
And we`re also investigating "The Life of Miley."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She went to a private evangelical school, a Christian school for a year. She was asked to leave after a year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: Stunning brand-new revelations about Miley Cyrus before she was famous. Was she always a rebel at heart? It`s an SBT special report that may change the way you see Miley Cyrus forever. This is SBT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURRY: We`re now down to No. 1 on our "Top Five Countdown" of today`s must-see, must-share stories. And taking the top spot, a new "50 Shades of Grey" shocker. There are new clues today about why Charlie Hunnam suddenly quit the movie version of the best-selling book.
"The Hollywood Reporter" is out now with a new report today that not only were there creative differences but Hunnam was only being paid $125,000 to play Christian Grey. These books are huge!
Jenny Hutt is back with us from New York. Jenny is the host of the Sirius XM Radio show "Just Jenny."
Jenny, he may not be a household name, but he`s no slouch.
HUTT: Right.
CURRY: "Sons of Anarchy," anyone? "Pacific Rim." I just watched that. Are you buying -- yes, are you buying this that it was, you know, because he was only making 125,000?
HUTT: No, that`s not why. Because that deal, I`m sure, was structured in a way that once the movie hit -- and we all know the movie was going to hit big -- that he would make money on the back end, if you will.
CURRY: So what about this now report today that maybe he wanted more creative control, because he`s supposed to be a writer, too? Supposedly, he was suggesting all these script changes which, at first they were all excited about, perhaps, but then he started getting shut down about that. Are you buying that for his reason to get going?
HUTT: Well, first of all, what a surprise that there might be some script issues with the "50 Shades of Grey," the movie. So no, not a surprise.
I think he`s, like, a really artistic kind of guy. Like, he`s a real artist. So maybe there were some of those creative differences.
I also think that this role is going to be a big deal and sort of -- iconic is the wrong word, but the person who has this role, it`s going to -- they`re going to be identified with this role forever and ever.
CURRY: Yes.
HUTT: So maybe that`s something he didn`t want. I`d like James Marsden in that role or Scott Foley in that role.
CURRY: I`m coming up with my list. I`m like, "The Rock!"
HUTT: The Rock?
CURRY: Why not? I mean, come on. He`s pretty hot.
So there are so many fans of this book, though, the whole book series. They didn`t want him to play Christian Grey. There are some haters out there. The complaining didn`t stop either.
You think it`s possible that maybe -- that something is trying to tell him, "Hey, all this negative feedback isn`t good for your career"?
HUTT: Well, I don`t think that`s it, because I think -- I think there`s a very vocal -- there`s a small minority who`s extremely vocal. But I think the people would go to the movie, would embrace him if he did the role in the right way, and then it would be his role. I think he just didn`t want to do it.
CURRY: Yes. Like you say, in the right way.
HUTT: Well, yes. I`ll tell you how. I`ll tell you.
CURRY: I mean, you just have to wonder how this movie is going to turn out. And who`s going to play Christian Grey.
HUTT: Naughty, naughty, naughty. Remember "9 1/2 Weeks"? Remember "Two Moon Junction"? That stuff. Yes.
CURRY: We`ll see what happens. Jenny, thanks so much. So fun talking to you.
And finally tonight, a special edition of SBT coming up: "The Life of Miley." We`re bringing you new revelations about Miley Cyrus before she became famous and so, so controversial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MILEY CYRUS, ACTRESS/SINGER: I`m Miley Cyrus. I`m with ZED, and I`m auditioning for the role of Zoey and Hannah Montana.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURRY: You remember that girl? The Miley that had nothing to do with twerking and proving to the world how, you know, adult she is? It`s the story that you have not heard about Miley Cyrus until now. And it`s from the people who knew her growing up.
This is SBT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER (voice-over): Tonight, a special edition of SBT, "The Life of Miley." Miley Cyrus is making waves, enjoying every minute of it and even killing off the character that made her famous.
CYRUS: I`m so mad.
TURNER: A Disney character living a double life. But if her recent appearances have made anything clear, it`s that Miley isn`t Montana anymore.
CYRUS: I can give you an update on what she`s been up to. She was murdered.
TURNER: Now "The Life of Miley."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER: Welcome to this special edition of SBT. I`m Nischelle Turner, in for A.J. Hammer. Tonight, "The Life of Miley."
Miley Cyrus is on top of the world today, literally. Her new album, "Bangers," just debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Certainly hasn`t hurt that she`s been in the headlines just about every day since her racy twerkfest at MTV Video Music Awards last month. Miley herself even calling the performance a strategic hot mess. And it`s clear her strategy has paid off. So, how did Miley get to this point? Even as a toddler she had a spark that stole the spotlight from anyone around her. And from that point it`s been pretty clear that stardom was her destiny. Right now we`re taking a revealing look back at Miley the early years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What in the world does she have?
(APPLAUSE)
TURNER: It was 1994, the first time the world met little Miley Cyrus, just two years old on a country music interview show. She was already a show stopper.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do your eyes, Miley. Do your eyes.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very talented child.
TURNER: Perhaps a sign of things to come.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now, this is very dangerous. You`re teaching her to flirt at a very early age. You`re going to be in big trouble when she`s about what - 12, 13.
SHIRLEY HELPERIN, MUSIC EDITOR, "THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER": You could almost see that little twinkle in her eye. You know, that little like I`m going to do something with myself.
TURNER: Surely, it helped her and the music editor of the "Hollywood Reporter" she`s followed Miley`s career from the beginning.
(on camera): Even when she is being, you know, mischievous, there`s this little look in her eye. I see and it`s kind of like OK, Miley, what are you doing next kind of thing?
HELPERIN: Right. Whenever the camera was on, she was on. And you could also see that from a very early age.
I always got the sense that she was calculated, but like in a good way.
TURNER (voice over): Calculated and destined for big things. Not entirely surprising for a little girl who was originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus.
BILLY RAY CYRUS, MUSICIAN: I`ve given her that name before she was born because I felt it was her destiny to bring hope to the world. You know, I do think that she - this is her purpose, her path. You know, I think she`s a natural born singer/songwriter/entertainer.
HELPERIN: And it didn`t hurt that her father was a hit maker. The fact that he had, you know, one big hit with "Achey-breachy Heart" you know, puts him in a level where he had access to, you know, musicians and producers and record company people that she probably would not have met were it not for her father.
TURNER: What could be better than having famous father? Having a music legend like Dolly Parton for a godmother. In fact, later in life Miley recorded her own version of Parton`s classic "Jolene."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think looking to Dolly, looking to the sort of eccentric showmanship of a Dolly Parton, you know, it really helped find her own style.
TURNER: She was just a toddler back in 1993 when she was on the stage with many of music`s biggest names.
BILLY RAY CYRUS: We`re doing a tribute to Elvis Presley at the pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. And she broke away from the nanny, waddled out on the stage during the finale, which was a blue`s version of "Amazing Grace." She came out on stage with some of the biggest stars in the world. And she just kind of became one with every singer and everybody was holding her. She had her hands up. She was singing. The last guy to hold her at the end of the song was Tony Bennett. And Tony Bennett came as the song ended and he said you have a special little girl here.
TURNER: Yet despite being surrounded by fame, Miley had a normal childhood. Raised a southern Baptist. Home was the small town of Thompson Station, Tennessee on a 500-acre farm.
BILLY RAY CYRUS: I love being outside. And we`d build big fires up on top of the hill and sat out and look at the stars and roast marshmallows and wieners. I was good with those types of things with my kids. I wasn`t good at sitting them down and saying, you know, let`s do your algebra now.
TURNER: But he was good at watching out for his little girl who even as a toddler had her eyes on bigger things. Producer Steve Peterman.
STEVE PETERMAN, PRODUCER "HANNAH MONTANA": They were doing a video thing of him down at the farm and Miley was out there and she was two and a half, maybe. And they were at a barn on the property. And Miley was standing up on some landing and Billy said be careful, honey. And she put her hands on her hips and she said I`m not afraid of anything. And that`s two and a half.
TURNER: Fearless and bold. Two traits that continue to define her as she grew up, went to school and became a cheerleader.
JOSH EELS: She went to a private evangelical school, a Christian school for a year.
TURNER: "Rolling Stone" editor Josh Eels had rare access to Miley.
EELS: She was asked to leave after a year. She has a couple of different versions of why. I`m not sure which one is really the one. In one version she told the class all about what French kissing was and in another version her teacher was, I guess, an older woman who got around on a little motorized scooter and Miley she stole it at one point and was cruising around the classroom on her teacher`s scooter. Whatever the case was, it was not the perfect fit.
TURNER: What was the great fit for Miley? Music.
RENEE GRANT WILLIAMS, MILEY`S VOCAL COACH: Miley was a good student. She worked hard and she didn`t fight your advice.
TURNER: Renee Grant-Williams was Miley`s voice teacher when she was 12.
GRANT WILLIAMS: She had an ingenious way of getting what she wanted by being charming and lovely and enthusiastic and willing to take the work on as well.
TURNER: And by 2001, what Miley wanted became crystal clear when the family left Tennessee for Toronto where Billy Ray was filming the TV show "Doc."
BILLY RAY CYRUS: Miley, she kept saying, Daddy, can they write something in for me. And then - so they wrote her in one episode. And from the time she did that episode, she was - can they write me in next week? Can they write me in next week? A few weeks after that she and I went to see "Mamma Mia" in Toronto. And I`ll never forget it - it was that combination of acting and the performance on stage of the singers and she said that`s what I want to do. I want to be a great actress and a singer songwriter - what I want to do.
TURNER: And Miley went for it.
CYRUS: I`m Miley Cyrus and I`m auditioning for the role of Zoey in "Hannah Montana."
TURNER: In 2003, against her father`s wishes, she auditioned for the role of a lifetime.
HELPERIN: I think you could see the sort of long range plan when you look at her Hannah Montana audition. You could see that she knew exactly what she was doing. She knew what the world required and she knew that the world would be a steppingstone to other things.
TURNER: Now, Miley may have known she was born for the spotlight, but it wasn`t until her alter ego Hannah Montana came to light that the rest of the world would know it too.
CYRUS: I`m Miley Cyrus. I`m with CED and I am auditioning for the role of Zoey and Hannah Montana.
TURNER: It seems so far away now, but it`s been only two years since Miley Cyrus left Hannah Montana for twerking and provocative videos. So, how did Hannah shape the Miley we know today? Our special edition of "SBT" continues with an in-depth look at Miley`s transformation into Hannah Montana and the character that forever changed her life. This is "SBT" on HLN.
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CYRUS: I`m Miley Cyrus. I`m with CED. I`m auditioning for the role of Zoey and Hannah Montana.
TURNER: Miley Cyrus was just 11 years old when she first set her sights on becoming Hannah Montana. It was a role that now defines her, but you can`t believe this. She nearly missed her cut.
Welcome back to this SBT special edition: The Life of Miley. Miley Cyrus auditioned several times for "Hannah Montana," but producers weren`t so sure she was the one. Still, there was something about her that kept her in the running, and eventually she snagged the role that cemented her rise to super stardom.
In 2003, 11-year-old Miley hoped this audition was her ticket to Hollywood.
STEVE PETERMAN, "HANNAH MONTANA": The truth of the matter is, she was the least likely person to get this job.
TURNER: Producer Steve Peterman was part of the casting team.
PETERMAN: She was an 11 that looked nine. Way too small. Way too young.
TURNER: Miley, dead set on becoming a star, wouldn`t give up.
CYRUS: I`m Miley Cyrus and I`m 12 years old.
It`s so good for you. It is like a fruit and vegetable. You know, like a fregetable?
PETERMAN: She read for us and she read for us over and over again. She would do some lines fabulously, wonderfully, and she would miss other lines by a mile.
CYRUS: Oh, my gosh. I know. I`m an idiot.
PETERMAN: But I couldn`t take my eyes off her.
TURNER: Two years later producers still weren`t convinced. They gave Miley one last shot.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (inaudible) this is your final audition for this project.
CYRUS: Only my three bestest friends know.
PETERMAN: It ultimately came down to Miley and one other girl. With Miley there was something about her that was so alive and so fearless, and all of us finally agreed to take the chance.
TURNER: At 13, Miley Cyrus became Hannah Montana.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re so gross.
TURNER: And was living her dream.
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TURNER: Miley auditioned her own dad for the part of her TV dad. .
BILLY RAY CYRUS: Get set, don`t go.
One of the episodes was called "Ready, set, don`t go." I wrote that song as Miley left for California.
No daddy ever wants to see his little girl grow up.
The series was picked up. I knew that her life and our lives as a family was going to change.
TURNER: The show and Miley were a smash. "Hannah Montana" became one of Disney`s highest rated TV series, and Miley shot up to teen idol status. In 2007, she released Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus. The soundtrack to her TV series. And debuted under her real name. Her second album, "Breakout" with hit "Seven Things" went platinum. Miley`s next conquest: a film career. She landed a part in "High School Musical 2," and then the voice of Penny in the animated movie "Bolt."
CYRUS: Bolt is lost. He could be anywhere.
TURNER: In 2009, Miley brought her TV character to life on the big screen in "Hannah Montana the movie."
CYRUS: It`s all about the publicity.
HELPERIN: 31 million in its opening weekend. It really just cemented her as more than a singer, more than an actress. She was an all-around performer.
TURNER: And she was white hot. But Disney`s billion dollar baby would soon get her first taste of controversy. It all started with a provocative Vanity Fair photo shoot, 15-year-old Miley barely dressed. No longer the girl next door. Then Miley shocked fans when she spiced up her performance at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards by poll dancing to her hit, "Party in the USA." The video went viral and parents postal. Miley was unfazed.
CYRUS: I think the media tries to kind of always overdo it. It`s really no one else`s business how my parents raised me or how I`m being raised.
TURNER: Yet even her parents were concerned when a video surfaced of Miley taking a bong hit.
CYRUS: I`m about to lose it now.
BILLY RAY CYRUS: I was alarmed for my daughter`s safety.
TURNER: Miley downplayed the video saying it wasn`t pot she was smoking and apologized for the Vanity Fair spread. But her image was changing. Her 2010 album and single said it all.
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HELPERIN: Look at the album title, "Can`t be tamed." She put it right out there. I feel like we saw it play out in front of our very eyes. This person breaking loose of the Disney character.
TURNER: In 2011, the split became official when Miley quit the show that made her a global phenomenon. "Hannah Montana" was no more.
So who is Miley now after killing off Hannah Montana for good?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think she just likes pushing the envelope right now.
CYRUS: Right now I`m at a point in my career where I can be exactly what I want to be. Just go for what you want to do.
TURNER: She truly can`t seem to stop. Her music career is skyrocketing, she`s grabbing new headlines every day. So are her wild ways a strategic hot mess like she says, or is the new Miley just spinning out of control? Next, more on my special report of the life of Miley and my revealing look at the superstar after Hannah Montana. This is "SBT on HLN.
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TURNER: And now Miley after Hannah Montana. She`s twerked her way to the top of the Billboard charts, killed off the childhood persona that made her so famous in the first place, and seems to spend more time with her clothes off than with them on. But just who is the new Miley Cyrus, party girl or an amazing young singer with a voice that`s nearly impossible not to love? I`ll let you decide as we continue my special report on the life of Miley after Hannah Montana.
CYRUS: I`m about to jump off of a [EXPLETIVE DELETED] plane.
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TURNER: Two years after "Hannah Montana" ended, 20-year-old Miley Cyrus is on the edge. She`s skydiving with Josh Eels of Rolling Stone magazine. Extreme, unafraid, and ready for reinvention. This is the new Miley Cyrus.
CYRUS: What a landing.
EELS: We were both kind of terrified, I think. It`s a situation where neither of us really wanted to back down. I think she just likes doing, kind of like pushing the envelope right now.
TURNER: With her first single, "We Can`t Stop," she released a video full of sex, drugs, and in her words.
CYRUS (singing): Shaking it like we`re at a strip club.
DEREK BLASBERG: It was the first glimpse into the post Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus. We saw a woman with a shock of white shaved hair rolling around in a bed playing with plush toys.
TURNER: Derek Blasberg interviewed Miley for "Harper`s Bazaar."
BLASBERG: She knew it was her make or break moment with the record label, and I think she told the record label if you give me this one chance to do it my vision and it goes belly up and it`s a bust, I`ll do whatever you want.
TURNER: She risked it all and it worked. Breaking records, going viral on Vivo and reaching over 10 million views within 24 hours of its release.
Now, Miley could do exactly what she wanted to, and what she wanted was a memorable performance at the MTV Video Music awards, where millions of Americans would get their first look at the new Miley.
EELS: She was a little nervous because this was the big rollout of this is who I`m going to be now.
TURNER: On stage with Robin Thicke, Miley stripped down to nothing but nude underwear, grinding with a giant foam finger, and she twerked. It was hot, but was it a mess? Her critics thought so. Even Brooke Shields, her mother on "Hannah Montana," told the Today Show.
BROOKE SHIELDS, ACTRESS: I feel like it`s a bit desperate. I mean, I just sort of want to know who is advising her and why it`s necessary.
TURNER: Then there were the more than 150 FCC complaints.
EELS: Some of them are pretty humorous. Someone said it was like watching a brothel. Other people complained about child pornography, which, you know, she`s 20 years old.
TURNER: Miley`s reaction.
EELS: She laughed the whole thing off. It didn`t seem to faze her. She knew it was going to get a reaction, and that`s part of why she did it. Everyone is talking about her.
TURNER: She said exactly what she thought in her MTV documentary, "The Movement."
CYRUS: It`s a strategic hot mess. Right now I`m at a point in my career where I can be exactly who I want to be. Just go for what you want to do.
TURNER: The controversy only fueled her confidence. In her next video, Miley was sometimes naked while riding a wrecking ball and licking a sledgehammer. And this time she wanted to show something different, her vulnerability.
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EELS: Two-thirds of the way through the song when the bridge hits and you really see her shed a tear.
TURNER: A tear over a tortured romance rumored to be about her fiance, Liam Hemsworth. Soon after its release, "Wrecking Ball" became the number one song in the country. Miley and Liam announced they were breaking up for good. And SNL invited her to host the show.
CYRUS: Who are you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you mean? I`m old you.
TURNER: On everyone`s mind, what will the wild child do next? Surprisingly, Miley was pretty tame. There was no nudity, no twerking and no apologies for the VMAs.
CYRUS: If I owe anybody an apology, it`s the people who make the bottom halves of shirts. The mild-mannered performance kept the focus on the music.
HELPERIN: She`s showing the different sides of Miley Cyrus, the performer. The one thing you can`t deny even going back to Hannah Montana, she has a really good voice. She knows how to sing, and "Wrecking Ball" just puts it out there.
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TURNER: It is a great song. Think about this one, Miley is just 20 years old, and "Bangerz" is now her fifth number one album. Amazing. Thanks for watching. I`m Nischelle Turner. Watch "SBT " Monday through Thursday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. HLN continues right now.
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