Miley Cyrus ‘proud to have been Hannah Montana,’ becomes Disney Legend at D23
Miley Cyrus returned to her Disney roots as the artist and former “Hannah Montana” star became the youngest ever inductee of the Disney Legends award.
Miley Cyrus, Disney Legend
As part of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, a biennial convention, The Walt Disney Company inducted a new class of Disney Legends at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on Aug. 11, 2024, including Miley Cyrus.
“In 2005, Disney was on a mission to reimagine the company,” Cyrus said in her Disney Legends acceptance speech. “That’s why they hired Bob Iger and me.”
Debuting in 2006, the Disney Channel Original Series “Hannah Montana” helped place Disney Channel at the zenith of not just family entertainment, but 2000s popular culture at large. Cyrus portrayed Miley Stewart, a teenager who lives a double life as a rock star, for 98 episodes, one feature film, five albums, and multiple concert tours — on top of her work as herself, outside of her character.
Hannah Montana (and Miley Cyrus) forever
Premiering the same year as “High School Musical,” “Hannah Montana” was among a generation of industry-changing Disney productions, with Miley Cyrus’ stardom at the epicenter.
“I was Hannah Montana, and I was so proud to be,” Cyrus remarked in her Disney Legends speech, choking up. “I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana because she made Miley in so many ways.”
Cyrus’ fellow Disney Legends inductees included Angela Bassett, Harrison Ford, and Joe Rohde during a ceremony hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Cyrus appeared at the first iteration of this very same event (back when it was called D23 Expo) in 2009. At the time, she was promoting her then-upcoming movie “The Last Song.”
The Disney Legends ceremony will be available to stream on Disney+ beginning Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET.
Follow us:
