You’ve seen the movie. The one with the giant, the circus, and those endless fields of daffodils that honestly look like a fever dream. Tim Burton’s Big Fish is a staple of early 2000s whimsical cinema, yet somehow, there’s a massive celebrity hiding in plain sight that most of us completely missed.
We’re talking about Miley Cyrus.
Or, more accurately, we’re talking about Destiny Cyrus in Big Fish. Before the Wrecking Ball, before the tongue-wagging, and even before the blonde wig of Hannah Montana, she was just an eight-year-old kid from Tennessee with a single credit to her name. Seeing her there now feels like finding a glitch in the Matrix.
The Mystery of Young Ruthie
If you go back and watch the scenes in the town of Ashton, you’ll notice a group of kids following a young Edward Bloom. Among them is a small girl with a very familiar face. That’s Ruthie.
In 2003, when the film hit theaters, nobody knew who Destiny Hope Cyrus was. She was credited under her birth name—Destiny Cyrus—which is why your brain never made the connection during late-night cable rewatches. She wasn't a star yet. She was a local kid who happened to be living in Toronto while her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, was filming the TV show Doc.
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It wasn't a big role. She basically tags along as the only girl in a group of boys who are trying to see their future in a witch's glass eye. If you blink, you’ll miss her. But looking back at it through the lens of 2026, her presence is a wild foreshadowing of the massive career that was about to explode.
Why Her Name Was Different
Back then, "Miley" was just a nickname.
Her parents called her "Smiley" because she was such a happy baby, which eventually got shortened to Miley. She didn't legally change it until 2008. So, when Tim Burton cast her for that tiny cameo, the call sheet and the end credits didn't say Miley Cyrus. They said Destiny Cyrus in Big Fish.
It’s one of those rare "before they were famous" moments that hasn't been scrubbed or altered. It's just... there. A piece of Hollywood history tucked away in a Southern gothic fairy tale.
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The Tim Burton Connection
Tim Burton is known for his hyper-specific aesthetic. He likes faces that look like they belong in a storybook. It’s kinda fascinating that he chose her for this minor part.
While most people associate her with the Disney machine, her actual start was much more "indie" in spirit. Working on a set with Ewan McGregor, Helena Bonham Carter, and Danny DeVito is a heavy-duty way to start a career. Even if she only had a couple of lines, she was breathing the same air as some of the most respected actors in the industry before she could even do long division.
Why We All Forgot About It
Honestly? We forgot because Big Fish is a visual overload. There’s so much going on—giants, witches, bank robberies—that a small child in a group scene isn't exactly the focal point.
- The Credit Barrier: As mentioned, the name "Destiny" doesn't trigger the same SEO in our brains as "Miley."
- The "Hannah Montana" Shadow: Her Disney Channel debut was so massive that it effectively reset the public's memory of her. People assume her career started in 2006.
- The Look: She looks like a totally different person. She has that classic "kid actor" look—gap-toothed, messy hair, and none of the high-fashion styling we see from her today.
There's a specific scene where the kids go to the house of the witch. If you look closely at the girl who is skeptical about Edward trying to see the witch's eye, that's her. She has this tiny, sassy energy that actually feels very much like the Miley we know now.
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What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that this was her first-ever gig. That’s not quite right. Her very first role was actually playing a character named Kylie on her dad’s show, Doc. Big Fish was her second credited role and her very first feature film.
Another thing? People think she was a "Disney kid" who was placed in the movie via some corporate deal. Nope. This was 2003. Disney hadn't even looked her way yet. She got the part the old-fashioned way: auditioning while her family was living in Canada.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Film Buffs
If you want to spot her yourself, don't just scrub through the movie randomly. Here is the best way to catch the Destiny Cyrus in Big Fish cameo without wasting two hours:
- Skip to the 10-minute mark: This is where the flashback to Young Edward Bloom begins.
- Watch the "Witch's Eye" sequence: Look for the group of kids in the woods approaching the dilapidated house.
- Keep your eyes on the only girl: That’s Ruthie. Listen for her voice; you can actually hear the early raspy tones that eventually became her signature singing voice.
It’s a fun piece of trivia for your next movie night, especially since Big Fish remains one of the most visually stunning films of the 21st century.
To really appreciate the evolution of her career, compare that performance with her recent work. The leap from a background character in an Alabama fairy tale to a Grammy-winning global icon is nothing short of incredible.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch: Grab a copy of the 2003 DVD or find it on your favorite streaming service. Pay attention to the credits at the very end. Seeing "Destiny Cyrus" scroll by is a weirdly satisfying "I caught it" moment that makes you realize just how long she’s been in the game. Check out her scene in the town of Spectre later in the film too—she pops up again in the background during some of the town's larger gatherings. It's a small part, but in the world of Edward Bloom, every small character is part of a much bigger story.