Sequins, sing-alongs and scarves: Inside the ‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ premiere

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Break out the blond wigs, sparkly dresses, and cowboy boots! Miley Cyrus and her different personas are back with the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special.”

To mark the 20th anniversary of the first episode, Miley Cyrus partnered with Alex Cooper from the “Call Her Daddy” podcast to create a documentary reflecting on the impact of her show, “Hannah Montana.” The special includes interviews with guest stars from the show, like Selena Gomez and her sister Noah Cyrus, as well as well-known fans such as Chappell Roan. At the premiere in Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theatre on Monday, Cyrus shared that making the documentary allowed her to reconnect with what people loved about “Hannah Montana.”

Entertainment & Arts

Miley Cyrus hinted at a comeback to her role as ‘Hannah Montana’ to mark the show’s 20th anniversary with a special coming to Disney+ on March 24th.

In her opening comments, Cyrus explained that tonight wasn’t about dwelling on the past, but appreciating its continuing significance. She added that she was now able to experience and be involved with it in a way she couldn’t when she was actively going through it all.

Disney’s Ayo Davis, who leads branded television, explained that “Hannah Montana” still connects with audiences twenty years later because it encourages people to embrace all sides of their personality – you don’t have to limit yourself to just one identity.

In her opening statement, Davis encouraged people to embrace all sides of themselves – to be daring, playful, and even admit when they’re not completely confident. She also expressed excitement that a new generation is falling in love with Hannah, and shared her gratitude for the continued support and positive response to the franchise.

Miley Cyrus expressed her gratitude to Disney for believing in her, a relatively unknown actress from Tennessee. She joked that before landing the role, she had virtually no performance experience. She also gave a shout-out to Gary Marsh, the former head of Disney Branded Entertainment, who shared the email he sent to the casting team after choosing Cyrus for the part.

We don’t just make good TV shows; we build stars, and I’m confident Miley has that potential. Yes, she’s a gamble, but she could be a huge star. I believe we’ll all look back on this decision years from now and be glad we took a chance on something bolder, knowing it could lead to something much better than playing it safe.”

The email from Marsh was just one of several items from the show’s history used in a special celebrating its anniversary. The team recreated Miley Stewart’s living room and her famous rotating closet, using original outfits Miley Cyrus had saved. Miley and her mother, Tish, even contributed Hannah Montana’s old wigs, playfully noting that the wigs improved as the tour became more successful.

Television

Though ‘Hannah Montana’ finished its run in 2011, the actors who starred in the show have continued to find success. Here’s an update on what they’ve been doing.

Throughout the special, Cyrus openly and humorously responds to questions from Cooper, often with quick, witty remarks. She confirmed long-standing rumors that she dated Dylan Sprouse, her co-star from the Disney Channel’s “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” Reflecting on the love triangle between Miley, Jesse, and Jake on “Hannah Montana,” Cyrus admitted she would have chosen Jake. Surprisingly, she still remembers all the steps to the “Hoedown Throwdown” after sixteen years – you can see her perform it in the special! And Taylor Swift’s appearance in “Hannah Montana: The Movie” wasn’t just a favor – Swift also contributed to writing the film’s music.

Cyrus explained that this role marked an early point in her career, and the producers were searching for someone who could genuinely perform in a rustic, barn-like setting – not to criticize anyone else, she added.

The special celebrates Miley Cyrus’s love for Hannah Montana, featuring performances of beloved songs like “The Best of Both Worlds,” “This is The Life,” and “The Climb.” It also included her new song, “Younger You,” which deeply moved the audience at the premiere, with fans singing along to the classics and becoming emotional during the new track.

The premiere event brought together Disney Channel veterans and the new generation of stars, with cast members from “Camp Rock 3” – some too young to remember the original “Hannah Montana” – enjoying the classic songs. The 2000s fashion made a comeback, with attendees wearing outfits like capri pants and layered tank tops. Fans celebrated everything “Hannah Montana” with photo opportunities featuring props like a replica of Miley Stewart’s iconic leg table and retro costumes.

Irene Yu, 40, and Kiet Pham, 43, dressed up as characters from their favorite show. Yu perfectly recreated Hannah’s iconic outfit with a white jean jacket and pants, a sparkly pink top, and a blond wig. Pham went as Hannah’s best friend, Lily, specifically her alter ego Lola, with a bright pink wig and a vest. They were both really excited about the event and even took time off work to attend the premiere.

Music

On her album ‘Endless Summer Vacation,’ Cyrus transforms her divorce into a celebration of self-discovery and highlights her incredible vocal talent, starting with the hugely popular and empowering anthem ‘Flowers’.

Yu shared that they discovered ‘Hannah Montana’ while in graduate school. Finding grad school challenging, they watched all three seasons of the show, which helped them cope with difficult times during their studies.

Yu explained that they and a friend entered a D23 lottery for tickets to the event, having diligently monitored event listings and social media hoping to find a way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her career.

For Cyrus, fans like Yu and Pham are the reason this special exists.

Miley Cyrus explained that her success wasn’t due to luck or spectacle, but to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering support of her fans. She expressed deep gratitude to each of them for making her life and career possible.

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2026-03-24 23:01