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When pictures of Miley Cyrus and her Last Song co-star Liam Hemsworth hit the Internet in 2009, the Twittersphere went crazy with fans of the tween idol speculating that she had fallen for the Australian actor.

They weren't wrong, Hemsworth tells WHO. While shooting the romantic drama—that is released on April 1—in a Southern US town, Hemsworth, 20, says, "We were each other's only friends and really enjoyed being together."

The former Neighbours actor was taken with the relaxed nature of Cyrus, 17, who is one of the world’s most recognised celebrities. "She's down to earth, normal and kind," he tells WHO.

Rising-star Hemsworth, who grew up on Victoria's Phillip Island, doesn't just have his new-found love and stardom to contend with: he's got a healthy rivalry with his brother, Star Trek actor Chris, 26, who he competed with for the title role in upcoming superhero movie Thor co-starring Natalie Portman.

Chris landed the part but his little brother—who likes to "surf and exercise and hang out with people"—will be busy with his own action movie, Arabian Nights.

For the full interview with Liam Hemsworth - and what Miley Cyrus has to say about her "hot Australian" - see this week's WHO Magazine, on sale Friday, March 26.

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