Miley Cyrus got emotional over her time as Hannah Montana while accepting her Disney Legends honor at D23.
Miley Cyrus is living the best of both worlds.
The singer and actress, 31, made history on Sunday at D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California, as the youngest person ever to be named a Disney Legend for her double life role as pop star Hannah Montana and ordinary girl Miley Stewart. Cyrus joins stars including Jamie Lee Curtis and Angela Bassett as someone who has significantly influenced the company.
As Cyrus accepted the accolade, she teared up on stage reflecting on her Disney days.
"A little bit of everything has changed ... but at the same time, nothing has changed at all," she said. "I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana."
Cyrus -- who starred in Hannah Montana alongside Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Mitchell Musso and Moises Arias from 2006 to 2011 -- first took the audience through the behind-the-scenes process of how the wig-wearing pop star came to be, even detailing how she wasn't initially cast in the role, revealing, "I went back to Nashville to wait but I had gotten a taste of what my life could be, and from that moment on, I did not want anything else."
From 2007 to 2008, Cyrus would go on the "Best of Both Worlds Tour," performing hit songs like "Rock Star," "Life's What You Make It" and "Nobody's Perfect." But Cyrus revealed in her speech that her first concert as Hannah Montana was actually free.
"So, when I was told that the show got picked up, I just couldn't wait to get back to stage nine, but because Hannah Montana is a pop star we needed footage of her playing sold-out concerts, but no one knew who she aka Miley was. So, they gave away tickets at the Glendale mall where I would have my first free concert," she said. "And the first song I opened with was titled, 'This Is The Life,' which, of course, no one knew because in reality I was a little girl in a blonde wig at the mall with a big dream but in my heart I was Hannah Montana."
"And I was so proud to be," Cyrus tearfully continued, noting that since that day she has remained proud to have been Hannah Montana.
The "Wrecking Ball" singer concluded her touching speech by thanking her fans and echoing the words of the character who first thrust her into the spotlight.
"This award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing, loyal fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality," she said. "To quote the legend herself, 'The is the life.'"
In addition to the show, Cyrus starred in Hannah Montana: The Movie in 2009.
Over the years, Cyrus has had a love-hate relationship with Hannah Montana. She's looked back fondly and poked fun at the character but has also said the role gave her an identity crisis and body dysmorphia.
Back in March 2021, Cyrus penned an adorable handwritten note to her alter ego to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the show.
"Hi Hannah, It's been a while. 15 years to be exact. Since the first time I slid those blonde bangs over my forehead in the best attempt to conceal my identity," Cyrus' note began. "Then slipped into a puke pink terry cloth robe with a bedazzled HM over the [heart]. I didn't know then... that is where you would live forever. Not just in mine, but millions of people around the world."
"Although you are considered to be an 'alter ego,' in reality, there was a time in my life when you held more of my identity in your glovette than I did in my bare hands," she continued. "We had an equal exchange in which you provided a superlative amount of fame in return for the anonymity I could gift to you. But, A LOT has changed since then. You were like a rocket that flew me to the moon and never brought me back down."
The following year, Cyrus celebrated the 16th anniversary of the show's debut on X (formerly Twitter) by sharing a video of herself singing "Hoedown Throwdown" during a concert.
"Happy 16th Hannah-versary! 16 years ago my life changed forever when HM premiered," she wrote. "Because of your loyalty and support I've had the honor to travel the world for over a decade and perform for fans that bring so much greatness into my life."
As for whether or not Cyrus would ever reprise her iconic role, the "Flowers" singer hasn't completely shut down the idea.
"You know what honestly, I try to put that wig on all the time," Cyrus said during a virtual appearance on the Carolina With Greg T In The Morning radio show in 2020. "She's just in storage collecting dust and I'm ready to whip her out ... The opportunity will present itself."
She continued, "I definitely would like to resurrect her at some point. She needs a big makeover because she's kinda stuck in 2008, so we'll need to go shopping with Miss Montana."
RELATED CONTENT:
