Miley Cyrus Becomes Youngest-Ever Disney Legend as She Gushes Over How 'Proud' She Is to Have Played Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus is looking back fondly on the impact she had while playing Hannah Montana.
As the pop star, 31, became the youngest person ever to be named a Disney Legend at the D23 fan expo on Sunday, August 11, Cyrus was overcome with emotion as she reflected on the series that made her into an icon.
"I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana," Cyrus tearfully told the packed audience as she accepted the honor. "In so many ways, this 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.’"
The Grammy-winner shot to stardom in 2006, playing the girl-next-door turned international singer on the hit Disney Channel series and has been a staple in Hollywood ever since. "I had gotten a taste of what my life could be, and from that moment on, I did not want anything else," she explained. "A little bit of everything has changed, ... but at the same time, nothing has changed at all."
Cyrus also cracked a few jokes while opening up about how it all started back in the golden age of teen entertainment that spawned iconic movies and shows like High School Musical, Camp Rock and Wizards of Waverly Place. "There was a buzz in that Burbank Disney office where it's rumored that they create all of us Disney Kids," the "Flowers" singer said.
"I definitely wasn't created in a lab, but if I was, there must have been a bug in the system that caused me to malfunction somewhere between the years of 2013 and 2016," she sarcastically quipped about her "Bangers" era and infamous dance with Robin Thicke.
In a sweet video segment shown before the former child star took the stage, Chappell Roan appeared in a video message to Cyrus. "She inspires me," the "Good Luck Babe" hitmaker gushed over her love for the "See You Again" vocalist.
Besides her massive talent, Cyrus has influenced her fans to be authentic to who they are as they continue to evolve in their own lives. "I always say that my truth, and the opposite of what that is also true. Somehow, I'm completely different, and then somehow, I'm exactly the same," The Last Song alum explained in a 2023 interview about what she's learned from her years in the industry. "Now, in my 30s — I mean, my 20s were so much fun. If you don't believe me, I think you can google it."