Sweet niblets! This year, the Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana” turned 20. To celebrate the milestone that left an entire generation of millennials both nostalgic and suddenly feeling their age, Miley Cyrus, yes, Hannah herself, returned to her roots for a special packed with familiar sets, surprise guests, and a rush of memories.
The Disney+ special opens the same way the TV show did with Cyrus (as Hannah) sporting the iconic blonde bangs, once a wig, now fully her own, performing the theme song in front of thousands of fans. Suddenly, audiences were all kids again. And, in a way, so was she.
Twenty years ago, Cyrus was just an ordinary girl living on a farm in Tennessee. Sure, her father was Billy Ray Cyrus, a country crooner best known for his hit single “Achy Breaky Heart,” but Miley? She was more into horseback riding than hanging out in Hollywood – even if she did love playing guitar and writing a song every now and then.
Until one day, everything changed. Cyrus found herself in front of Disney Channel casting directors, vying for a part in their latest brainchild – a show about Miley Stewart, a normal kid by day and a secret pop by night.
“Hannah Montana,” the show named after Stewart’s pop star alter-ego, was an absolute smash hit, and Cyrus’ music as Hannah Montana acted as the soundtrack to nearly every young adolescent girl’s life in the early 2000s, and cemented Cyrus’ legacy as a household name.
Since then, her career has only grown: three Grammy Awards, nine studio albums, and one hell of a “climb.” 20 years later, her first words stepping back onto the Malibu beach house set? “Good to be home.”
Alex Cooper of “Call Her Daddy” fame (and a self-proclaimed Hannah Montana super fan) hosted the special, prompting Cyrus to answer several burning questions on fans’ minds. When she asked Cyrus how the special came to be, she said that she learned from her godmother Dolly Parton to promote something before it exists – creating a frenzy amongst fans and pushing the network to create the special based on demand. And sweet niblets, we’re glad she did.
The special featured several special guest stars, including Cyrus’ parents, Chappell Roan, and Selena Gomez, who even had a guest starring spot on the original show as Mikayla Skeech, Hannah’s popstar nemesis.
The special was a blast from the past, and definitely had this writer in tears at a few points. When Cyrus went through Hannah’s old rotating costume closet, poring over her most famous sequined outfits from the series, I was transported directly back to 2006. There’s nothing quite like the nostalgia of reliving your childhood with the person who helped craft it.
And I wasn’t the only one who felt sentimental. Cyrus ended the special with her new single “Younger You,” a love letter from her younger self.
In the end, the reunion delivered more than just nostalgia; it offered a reminder that “you can change your hair, and you can change your clothes… but you’ll always find your way back home.” Even 20 years later.
The “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Featured Photo Credit: Disney+
Nicole Speros holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Media Studies and is currently diving deeper into the industry at Berklee College of Music, where she’s studying Music Business. A passionate storyteller with an eye for what’s next, Nicole brings a sharp, curious voice to her work as a music journalist. She covers emerging artists, shifting trends, and the ever-evolving intersection of music and media—with a focus on authenticity, accessibility, and the songs that connect us all.
She’s an active member of GRAMMY U/The Recording Academy and Women in Music, always looking for ways to support and amplify voices in the industry. When she’s not in class or writing, you’ll probably find her stage-side at a local Boston show or hopping on a plane for her next adventure.