Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary: Miley Cyrus Special on Disney+

The “Hannah Montana” 20th Anniversary Special premiered Tuesday on Disney+, bringing back Miley Cyrus and a host of familiar faces to celebrate the iconic series that launched her career. The special featured Cyrus revisiting the set of the original show and reflecting on her time as both Miley Stewart and her alter ego, Hannah Montana.

During an interview with Alex Cooper, Cyrus discussed the origins of the special and her journey to fame, including how she landed the role that propelled her to stardom. The special similarly included a trip down memory lane with Cyrus’s mother, Tish Cyrus, as they revisited the show’s iconic wardrobe, reminiscing about the memorable looks throughout the series’ four seasons and two feature films.

Billy Ray Cyrus, who played Miley’s father on the show, joined his daughter to recreate a pivotal scene where their characters reveal Hannah Montana’s secret identity to the world. Both Cyrus and his on-screen daughter highlighted the genuine chemistry they shared, mirroring their real-life father-daughter relationship.

Selena Gomez, who appeared in several episodes of “Hannah Montana” as Mikayla Skeech, also made a surprise appearance. Gomez and Cyrus shared stories about their characters’ rivalry and expressed their joy at having connected over two decades ago.

Singer Chappell Roan also contributed a special moment, sharing with Cyrus the profound impact the show had on her life and expressing her admiration for the star.

The special wasn’t just a retrospective; Cyrus also took to the stage to perform some of the show’s most beloved hits, including “The Best of Both Worlds,” “This Is the Life,” and “The Climb.” She also previewed a new ballad, the title of which was not disclosed, that explores themes of self-reflection and addressing one’s “adult self.” The song has not yet been released on streaming platforms.

Cyrus took to social media to express her gratitude to fans, celebrating the reunion with her former co-stars and describing the project as a way to “find her way back home.” She also thanked those who grew up watching the series.

The anniversary special arrives as Miley Cyrus continues to evolve as an artist, recently releasing her album Endless Summer Vacation in 2023. According to reports, the special included discussion of Cyrus’s past relationships, including confirmation that she dated Dylan Sprouse during her Disney years, as reported by E! News.