Miley Cyrus on New Movie, New Love

Cyrus says she's "excited to go on to new chapters" after "Hannah Montana."

ByABC News via logo
March 21, 2010, 7:10 PM

March 22, 2010— -- Miley Cyrus' leading role in the "The Last Song" posed a new challenge for the actress and singer, and she said she's "excited to go on to new chapters."

Cyrus plays a piano prodigy in the movie but doesn't sing at all, which she said may surprise some of her fans.

"It was nice that there's music involved," she told Robin Roberts on "GMA" today, "But I didn't necessarily want to be a singer."

In "The Last Song" Cyrus plays 17-year-old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller, who is still struggling with her parents' divorce and has been shipped out to her father's house for the summer.

Cyrus, who is best known for her role as "Hannah Montana," said she wants to continue to branch out as an actress. Learning to play the piano was difficult, but she said, "I was glad that it wasn't something that was so easy. I got the basics down which just made me feel more comfortable."

Julie Anne Robinson, the director of the film, compared Cyrus to Julia Roberts. "She's like Julia Roberts, I feel Miley can do anything, action, comedy, drama, she's got it all," the director told E online.

The movie, which will be released March 31, is based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks and also stars Cyrus' boyfriend Liam Hemsworth.

The two became close during filming in Georgia and eventually began to date.

"It makes you want to come to work and make each other look good," she said of working with Hemsworth.

She added that it was great to work with someone who "really loves you and wants you to do well."

Cyrus said Bobby Coleman, who plays her younger brother in the film, helped Cyrus and Hemsworth get together.

"I paid him 10 bucks to go ask Liam if he likes me," she said.