On Monday, March 23, Miley Cyrus, now 33, marked 20 years since the debut of her well-known Disney Channel character. She attended the premiere alongside several former cast members, including Jason Earles, Moisés Arias, and Cody Linley, who played her on-screen love interest.
“Hannah Montana will always be a part of who I am. What started as a TV show became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I’ll always be thankful for that connection,” said Cyrus. “The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”
She later addressed this directly on Instagram, explaining that she could not attend because she was busy filming a new series. The project is Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which kept her schedule full.
This show is part of The Big Bang Theory universe and continues the story from Young Sheldon, making it a major commitment for her at the time.
“We’re at Georgie & Mandy … and that’s why I was not able to be part of the 20-year reunion, because we are here shooting our show,” she said in the video.
“I wanted to say hello and thank you to everybody that has stuck by us for all these years. I’m so grateful that you guys all still love this show. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
“I’ve met thousands of HM fans over the years, fans that now have children watching this show and fans that literally work beside me every day, like Montana. He’s seen every episode, don’t be fooled,” she continued.
“I can’t tell you what your sweet messages mean to me and how lucky I feel to have been a part of this once-in-a-generation goliath of a television show,” Osment said, showing appreciation for the fans who supported the show over the years.
At the Los Angeles premiere, Miley Cyrus also made a playful comment about Alex Cooper, who hosted the event. She joked about Cooper living nearby, which got a reaction from the audience.
The comment was made during the event at the El Capitan Theatre, and Cyrus later thanked Cooper for taking on the role of host for the special.
“She got money and then she moved next door to me so there was no other host… Yeah, it was weird.”
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special became available to stream on Disney+ starting March 24, giving fans a chance to revisit the show and its impact.
What have the cast of Hannah Montana said about the reunion?
Jason Earles
Jason Earles, who played Jackson Stewart, attended the premiere event but did not appear in the documentary itself. His presence still brought attention from fans who remembered his role.
He also hosts a podcast related to the series called Best of Both Our Worlds. During one episode, he shared a surprising detail about how he landed the role.
“When I auditioned for the show, I lied to them and told them I was 18 years old,” Earles said.
Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus, who played Robby Ray Stewart, has also been active on social media in support of the anniversary special. He shared several posts reflecting on the show and its legacy.
“Robby Ray’s still the proudest dad in the world,” he wrote in one post, while another included: “Some things never change… 20 years later and @mileycyrus still knows the old handshake trick.”
Mitchel Musso
In his post, Musso wrote: “Hannah Montana wrapped around my heart and never really let go. We literally grew up with ya’ll — long days, crazy schedules, learning lines, cracking up between takes, and figuring out life while the cameras rolled.”
“It taught me so many wonderful values, but the most important “to me” is that laughter can get you through the tough days. That confidence still sticks with me every single day. To all of you who grew up right alongside us… your friends were our friends too. Like my Lillypop said on her post, so many of you building families of your own and sharing this wonderful story with your kids is a gift beyond words. It’s been the coolest part of HM.”
Cody Linley
Cody Linley, known for playing Jake Ryan, also shared his thoughts with fans through a video posted online.
“I’m really excited to celebrate with the cast and crew this coming Monday and honoured for all the fans worldwide who supported me and the show,” he said.
“Jake Ryan will always have a special place in my heart.”
