NEW YORK - Miley Cyrus, the former Disney Channel child star whose growing pains have been played out in the glare of the world's media, announced her engagement on Wednesday at the age of 19 to "Hunger Games" actor Liam Hemsworth.

Cyrus, whose "Hannah Montana" TV series made her a teen idol, said she was engaged to marry her Australian boyfriend Hemsworth, 22, after a three-year romance.

The news quickly became one of the world's top trends on Twitter, bringing thousands of congratulations from fans, as well as questions over the wisdom of settling down so young.

Cyrus and Hemsworth have been dating on and off since meeting in 2009 on the set of film romance "The Last Song".

"I'm so happy to be engaged and look forward to a life of happiness with Liam," Cyrus told People magazine.

"Thank you for all the love today. I'm happy to share this news with you all. I feel like all my dreams are coming true," the young star posted on Twitter.

Cyrus's father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who starred with her on "Hannah Montana", said he was delighted.

"All I ever hoped for as a daddy was to see my kids reach their dreams. To find happiness, peace of mind, and someday know true love," he told celebrity website HollywoodLife.com.

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Click on the thumbnails for more photos of Miley through the years.