Hannah Montana Turns 20: Miley Cyrus Unpacks Iconic Role in Star-Studded Special
Two decades on, the magic of Hannah Montana is still very much alive. The recent ‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ served as a nostalgic trip down memory lane for legions of fans, with Miley Cyrus herself revisiting beloved songs and sharing candid behind-the-scenes anecdotes with her former co-stars. These unscripted conversations offered a rare glimpse into the making of the iconic Disney Channel series, revealing a treasure trove of secrets.
Here are some of the most compelling revelations from the special:
10. A Young Miley’s Crush on Mitchel Musso
Miley Cyrus admitted to feeling incredibly nervous stepping onto the Hannah Montana set as a relatively inexperienced actor. Her initial anxieties were eased by Emily Osment (Lily) and Mitchel Musso (Oliver), who played her on-screen best friends. While she found a true “teammate” in Osment, Cyrus confessed to having a “slight crush” on Musso, remarking, “I thought Mitchell Musso was really cute.”
9. Taylor Swift’s “Barn Performance” Audition
The story behind Taylor Swift’s memorable guest appearance on Hannah Montana was finally unveiled. Cyrus explained that the production team was specifically looking for an artist who could “authentically…be performing in a barn.” Swift not only fit the bill but also went on to co-write the show’s finale song, ‘You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home.’
8. Selena Gomez Felt “Ugly” During Her Cameo
Selena Gomez, who portrayed Hannah’s rival popstar Mikayla Skeech, joined the special to reflect on her iconic early role. Gomez candidly shared that she felt “very ugly” during her appearance, citing the “blue alien suit and weird makeup” she wore. Both Cyrus and Gomez reminisced with laughter about their characters’ sharp on-screen insults, with Gomez noting, “I don’t think they would get away with saying half of that stuff [now].”
7. Tish Cyrus: The Style Architect Behind Hannah’s Look
The distinct fashion sense of Hannah Montana was significantly influenced by Miley’s mother, Tish Cyrus. Miley revealed that her mother played a crucial role in helping her distinguish between what was “very Hannah” and what was “very Miley.” She admitted to frequently rejecting Disney’s wardrobe suggestions in favour of her mother’s styling choices.
6. Miley Cyrus Paved the Way for Chappell Roan
Popstar Chappell Roan, a self-proclaimed longtime fan of Hannah Montana, made a special appearance during the anniversary celebration. Roan credited Miley Cyrus with paving the way for artists like herself to express their true selves. She explained that because Cyrus faced considerable public backlash for her open personality, artists today have more freedom. “I don’t have to deal with that as much because the world took it out on you,” Roan stated, acknowledging Cyrus’s pioneering role.
5. A Hollywood Friendship: Miley, Zac, and Vanessa
During the height of Hannah Montana‘s popularity, Miley Cyrus developed close bonds with High School Musical stars Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron. The trio frequently spent time together, and Cyrus even admitted to having a crush on Zac Efron during this period.
4. Miley’s Real-Life Romance with Dylan Sprouse
While Hannah Montana navigated on-screen love triangles, Miley Cyrus was experiencing her own teenage romance. She revealed that she dated Dylan Sprouse, star of Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, during her Hannah Montana days. Their sushi dates were often joined by Dylan’s twin brother, Cole Sprouse.
3. The Jonas Brothers Tour: A Calculated Move
The iconic collaboration between Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, who opened for her during the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ tour, was reportedly orchestrated by Cyrus herself. At the time, she was dating Nick Jonas and was keen to remain close to him. She pitched the idea to producers, who ultimately agreed to the now-legendary pairing.
2. Billy Ray Cyrus’s Near Miss for the Iconic Role
It’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Billy Ray Cyrus portraying Miley’s on-screen father, Robby Ray Stewart. However, this casting nearly didn’t happen. Billy Ray was so convinced that another actor was going to get the part that he even informed the crew about his competitor. It was ultimately Miley and her mother who championed Billy Ray for the role.
1. Embracing “Younger You”: Merging Miley and Hannah
Over the past two decades, Miley Cyrus’s relationship with her alter ego, Hannah Montana, has evolved significantly. While she once viewed Hannah as a separate entity, Cyrus now seeks to integrate the two. This personal growth inspired her brand-new song, ‘Younger You,’ which she performed during the special as a heartfelt message to her fans.
