Starring Miley Cyrus in the title role, the Emmy-nominated comedy has dominated the kid and tween business and impacted popular culture since its 2006 debut. Its soundtracks are among the biggest, fastest successes the pop charts have seen in years, and the series provided a springboard for the multitalented Cyrus to become an international superstar with projects spanning Disney’s television, music, radio, consumer products and film divisions, including a #1 debut movie that grossed nearly $150 million at the global box office.

“’Hannah Montana’ has defined a generation of kids and tweens – not just as a television event, but as a significant moment in pop culture history. This fourth season is an expression of Miley Cyrus’ personal commitment to ensuring that ‘Hannah’ will live forever in the hearts and minds of kids everywhere,” said Gary Marsh, Chief Creative Officer and President, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide.

A two-part cliffhanger, “Miley Says Goodbye?,” will conclude the current season SUNDAY, MARCH 7 and SUNDAY, MARCH 14 (7:30 p.m., ET/PT both nights) on Disney Chanel. In the episode, which will also be available on DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Miley Stewart faces the biggest decision of her life – whether to say goodbye to her life in Malibu or to listen to her heart and return to her Crowley Corners ranch and beloved horse Blue Jeans in Tennessee. Meanwhile, Jackson (played by Jason Earles) moves into his own apartment, Lilly (played by actress and recording artist Emily Osment) is contemplating what to do after her mom accepts a job in Atlanta, and Oliver (played by actor and recording artist Mitchel Musso) must decide whether to stay with his two best friends or go on the road to pursue his fledgling music career.

The fourth season, debuting on Disney Channel in summer 2010, will introduce all-new songs, music videos and sets. The storyline finds Miley Stewart questioning whether she has the best of both worlds and if she can continue with her alter-ego, Hannah Montana, or leave it all behind forever to be an ordinary girl. The season will include guest stars Ray Liotta (“Goodfellas”) and Angus T. Jones (“Two and a Half Men”), among others.

“Hannah Montana” has delivered all-time high levels in Total Viewers and has virtually matched its Season Two high ratings among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. In 2009, “Hannah Montana” was Disney Channel’s #1 series in Total Viewers and Tweens 9-14, and No. 2 in Kids 6-11. Ranking a dominant #1 in its Sunday 7:30 p.m. time period, “Hannah Montana” placed among TV’s Top 10 programs in both target kid demos in 2009.

The “Hannah Montana” brand continues to be the dominant tween juggernaut at retail, across all categories. The four hugely successful “Hannah Montana” soundtracks have sold 12 million CDs (one made history as the first TV soundtrack to debut on the Billboard Top 200 and the most recent feature film soundtrack ranks among the top albums released in 2009), as well as popular episodic compilation DVDs, a junior novel series, apparel, accessories and video games. In addition to the #1 “Hannah Montana The Movie” grossing nearly $150 million at the global box office, Miley Cyrus headlined a sold out concert tour in which she performed songs from the series, as well as songs that introduced her as a new solo recording artist. That tour also delivered a 3D concert film, “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert,” in Disney Digital 3-D, which is the #1 concert film of all time. Miley Cyrus can next be seen headlining in Touchstone Pictures “The Last Song,” to premiere in theatres in April 2010.

Starring are Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana, Emily Osment as Lilly Truscott, Jason Earles as Jackson Stewart, Billy Ray Cyrus as Robby Stewart and Moises Arias as Rico. Mitchel Musso will reprise his role as Oliver Oken in a special guest appearance.

The series was created by Michael Poryes and Rich Correll & Barry O’Brien. The executive producers are Steven Peterman and Michael Poryes. “Hannah Montana” is a production of It’s a Laugh Productions, Inc.

I love it, especially because it confuses people. The Wire was probably the best show I’ll ever be on, but actors do more than one kind of role, and I wanted my next project to be something totally different, so people would know I can play more than just slimy lawyers. On Sonny with a Chance, I got my wish. The show is really funny, I play a nervous TV producer, and I love the kids in the cast. They’re all really great people. Nothing will ever be The Wire, but this is a great departure. And I like having a new, and very different, group of fans. Instead of grown-ups coming up and saying “Wow, are you sleazy!,” I have smiley little kids running up and hugging me.

The actor also teaches a class called Audition Psych. 101. Here’s what he had to say about the class:

My class — it’s actually a one-night seminar – is unusual in that it deals with the mental challenges actors face when they audition. Auditioning is hard. It’s weird. And actors do all kinds of things to themselves that make it worse. “Audition Psych. 101” offers actors alternative ways of approaching the process, both mentally and philosophically. And I am really overjoyed when those who’ve attended tell me that it changed their careers. What an amazing thing to be able to do for my colleagues.

Kostroff’s next Audition Psych. 101 seminar will be held in Hollywood on Saturday, September 19th. For more information send an email to auditionpsych101 @ aol.com.

To read the rest of the interview, click here.

Selena Gomez

How did Selena get to where she is today, starring in one of the most popular Disney Channel shows? It took some hard work, some patience and a few failed Disney pilots. She first started out starring on Barney & Friends. Yep, the show with the giant purple dinosaur. This is a common theme for several stars. Some got their start on the Mickey Mouse Club and others on Barney. The bottom line: they had to start somewhere!

At the age of 10, Selena attended a Nationwide Disney Talent Search with her mom. Disney liked her and she filmed three Disney pilots. They didn’t get picked up, but she didn’t give up.

Now Selena stars as Alex Russo on “Wizards of Waverly Place” and she’s a big hit. Selena Gomez was just a regular girl in Texas with a big dream. She had support from her family, which is huge, and now she is living out her dreams every week on the Disney Channel.

What other Disney Stars would you like to know about? Let us know!