Miley Cyrus Reveals She Lost ‘Hotel Transylvania’ Role to Selena Gomez Over Risqué Birthday Prank

In a revelation that left fans stunned and Hollywood buzzing, pop star and actress Miley Cyrus recently confirmed the long-standing rumor that she was originally cast in the lead role of Mavis in the animated film Hotel Transylvania — but was fired after a controversial personal prank, and the part was ultimately given to Selena Gomez.

Speaking candidly during a recent interview, Miley shared that the incident took place in 2011 when she was still transitioning from her Disney image and exploring more rebellious phases of her personal life. According to the singer, she had sent her then-boyfriend a birthday cake shaped like a penis as a joke, and a photo of the cake made its way online.

“I got kicked off Hotel Transylvania for buying Liam [Hemsworth] a penis cake for his birthday and licking it,” Miley revealed. “It was just a silly, private joke. But the studio didn’t find it funny at all.”

Fallout Behind the Scenes

At the time, Hotel Transylvania was in early production and aimed at a family-friendly audience. Studio executives reportedly felt that Miley’s behavior didn’t align with the image they wanted for the film or the character of Mavis, Dracula’s teenage daughter.

Shortly after the incident gained public attention, Cyrus was quietly dropped from the project. Not long after, Selena Gomez was announced as her replacement, a decision that significantly shaped the film’s promotional strategy and overall tone.

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Fans React to the Revelation

The story, though not entirely new in rumor circles, sparked renewed debate online now that it has been confirmed by Cyrus herself.

  • One fan commented, “It’s wild how something so small and personal can change your whole career path.”

  • Another wrote, “I love both Selena and Miley, but wow — imagine how different that movie could’ve been.”

While many fans expressed sympathy for Miley, others pointed out that the industry was especially harsh on young women trying to break out of child-star molds.

Miley Looks Back with No Regrets

Despite the incident, Miley made it clear she holds no bitterness about losing the role.

“Everything happens for a reason. Selena did a great job. And honestly, I probably wasn’t in the right headspace to play a vampire teen at the time,” she said with a laugh.

Cyrus has since carved her own path with edgy albums, acclaimed performances, and complete artistic reinvention. The story adds yet another layer to her journey from teen idol to unapologetic icon.

Meanwhile, Hotel Transylvania went on to become a successful franchise with Gomez as a lead voice — but for many fans, this behind-the-scenes twist makes them wonder: What would the movie have looked like with Miley’s version of Mavis?