The 18-year-old actress-and-singer ' who has been named as the worst celebrity influence for the past two consecutive years ' was presented with the first-ever Global Action Youth Leadership Award for the positive impact she has on young people's attitudes at a gala in Los Angeles on Friday (18.02.11) by her idol Hilary Duff.
Accepting the accolade, she said: "I got to tell you that I never thought I would get an award from Hilary Duff. This is like a dream come true to me. She inspired me.
"I want kids to do something they love. Not something that seems like a chore because someone tells them that's the right thing to do or what their parents want or what's important to people around them, but what's in their heart."
The 'Hannah Montana' star recently admitted while she is happy to be seen as a role model for younger girls, she doesn't want her fans to idolise her.
Miley explained: "If you look at me as a role model I agree with it. If you look at me as an idol, I don't agree. An idol for me is someone that you want to replicate. You want to be them.
"I don't wish that on anyone, to lose what they have personally, because that's when your spark goes."