What do you look like when you’re not on camera?
All my clothes are big sweaters and comfy stuff. I just like being comfortable more than anything. And I’m always cold, so I like having warm things. But this is definitely a lot more bright, more of the white tank tops and black T-shirts and just kind of being more chill and kind of ready for anything more than having to worry about being in a dress all the time or whatever. So it’s easier to get dressed when you’re playing out what you’re gonna do. In real life, you don’t have that luxury.

Your favourite hangout when you’re not working?
My favourite place to kind of chill is definitely my dressing room ’cause that’s the one place that’s your own space. It’s like a room in my home. It’s your place to be creative and do what you want in your dressing room.

What does your dressing room look like?
My dressing room is a lot like my room at home ’cause that makes it easy and it makes it feel like I’m still at my house. It’s blueish, grayish white. It’s got a very New York loft feel to it.

What’s on your iPod?
I was into all kind of different music. I think that’s why we have so much fun. I am a real big fan of country music and I like rock and roll music and pop music.

What would you want to see happen to you within the next year or two?
My main goal is to get a solo record out. I’m really happy that I did that. And so, just hopefully continue to do my music. My life’s goal is just to never stop loving what I do and continue making music.

What is the family tradition when it comes to the holidays?
We’re never really all home on a holiday, so it’s kind of hard to keep traditions alive. We just always make sure we’re together no matter what. I mean, it is so chaotic all the time. What’s important is a tradition and to keep that up. That’s really cool if you can do that. But because we’re always on the road, we really don’t have an opportunity. And I think the most important thing is not about doing the same thing every year but creating new memories and being present and being with your family and just spending that whole day just being thankful for what you’ve been given, the most important thing in your life.

Miley’s last song

The Last Song is the first major motion picture you’ve starred in that didn’t involve Hannah Montana. Were you nervous?
At first it was a little intimidating because it’s such a big step for me. But I was very excited. Maybe a little anxious, too, because I wanted to make sure that I portrayed Ronnie as being completely different from Hannah Montana.

What is the movie about?
It’s about this girl, Ronnie Miller, whose parents have been separated and she’s started going down the wrong path, hanging out with the wrong friends, and probably not making the best choices. Basically it’s the story of how she finds her way to being happier and a better person through faith, love and friendship.

A lot of young people these days find themselves in similar situations. How does Ronnie find her way out?
As messed up as my character is at the beginning, she has a good heart. But she’s definitely got a lot of extra baggage and so much emotion. So I think it’s important to see her go through that. She makes new friends, falls in love with a boy, and also reconnects with her dad again. They’re so connected, and that’s so important. And she connects with her faith through her dad, too.

What was it like working with Greg Kinnear?
Greg is a lot like my dad in real life. He’s very mellow, but he’s very funny and everyone just seems to fall in love with him. He was kind of like a father figure to me while I was in Savannah, because my dad wasn’t in Georgia with me. We would sit down on the porch and just talk about what was going on. We had a great relationship that I think came across on screen.

Did you contribute to the film musically?
When I Look at You was originally going to go on my next record, which I was working on while I was filming in Savannah. But when we realised it describes this entire movie, we had a composer come in and make a piano piece for me to be able to play. It’s in the movie when Ronnie reveals to Will that she plays the piano. It was perfect for that scene because it is a love song, but it’s also about God, about family, about love — it’s kind of what this movie is all about.

You had to learn to play the piano for this role. Is that something you’ll stick to?
I’m definitely going to stick with the piano! I picked it up really fast, which I guess is from being able to play the guitar and being so involved in music. I really enjoyed learning! So many people wish they could learn, but we get to do it as part of a job. We’re lucky!

What was it like going from a character you’re so used to playing to a completely different character?
It was harder than anything else I’ve done. There’s no way to be Smiley Miley all the time, then go into a role that’s so heavy. It’s everything she’s going through — you know, with the dad and the love interest and the brother — it’s definitely a heavy role. I also had to learn to speak without my accent, which is something I’ve never had to really do before! But I think I have more in common with Ronnie than I do with Hannah Montana or Miley Stewart. I think it’s really important to look for roles that are challenging, but also that you relate to and something that captures your heart.

The Last Song is now showing in Calcutta