Miley Cyrus Tears Up While Being Named Youngest Disney Legend: 'I Stand Here Proud to Have Been Hannah Montana'

Mar. 15, 2025

Miley Cyrus tears up at D23.Photo:The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company

Life’s a climb — but the view sure is great. Just askMiley Cyrus!

On Sunday, Aug. 11, theHannah Montanaalum, 31, made history as the youngest person ever to be named a Disney Legend, an honor bestowed on individuals who have significantly influenced the company.

Standing onstage ahead of her speech at aD23event in Anaheim, California, Cyrus teared up as the audience roared with applause for her.

She then detailed that she wrote two speeches — “one long, [for] the badass I’m supposed to be, and one short, if I get scared” — before she recalled the beginnings ofHannah Montanain 2005, when she joked she “definitely wasn’t created in a lab” as a “Disney kid.”

After going through the behind-the-scenes process of howHannah Montanacame to be, even detailing that she wasn’t initially cast in the role, Cyrus said, “I had gotten a taste of what my life could be, and from that moment on, I did not want anything else.”

“A little bit of everything has changed, … but at the same time, nothing has changed at all,” she continued. “I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana.”

Cyrus added: “In so many ways, his award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing loyal fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality. To quote the legend herself, ‘This is the life.’ "

Miley Cyrus.Vijat Mohindra/NBC/Getty

Vijat Mohindra/NBC/Getty

Bob Iger, the Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, previously praised Cyrus ahead of her honorin a press release.

“To be named a Disney Legend is the highest honor our company can bestow on anyone, reserved for those whose talent and achievement have earned them an enduring place in our history,” he said. “The fourteen individuals to be honored as Disney Legends this year have each made extraordinary creative contributions across the worlds of Disney and we look forward to celebrating them at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.”

More honorees at the event includedAngela Bassett, Colleen Atwood, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron,Jamie Lee Curtis, Steve Ditko,Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz,Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde and John Williams.

The “Flowers” singer made her debut as Hannah Montana on the hit Disney Channel show with the same name in 2006. The show — which ran for four seasons until 2011 — chronicled Miley Stewart (Cyrus), a typical teenager who secretly had a double life as the famous pop star Hannah Montana.

In addition to the show, Cyrus went on to star inHannah Montana: The Moviein 2009 and headline the Best of Both Worlds tour in 2011.

“16 years ago my life changed forever when HM premiered,“she wrote on X(formerly known as Twitter). “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.”

Miley Cyrus on “Hannah Montana”.DISNEY CHANNEL/JOEL WARREN

DISNEY CHANNEL/JOEL WARREN

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In 2020, Cyrus said she was open toreprising the roleof Hannah during a virtual appearance on theCarolina With Greg T In The Morningradio show.

“You know what honestly, I try to put that wig on all the time,” Cyrus said. “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.”

source: people.com