Before the boundary-pushing pop albums, the tabloid controversies, or the platinum-blonde pixie cut, Miley Cyrus was known simply as Hannah Montana — or more precisely, as Miley Stewart, the Malibu teenager who lived a secret double life as a global superstar.
Now, nearly 20 years since the show’s debut, Cyrus says she's not only ready to revisit her past, she’s designing something special to honor it.
The announcement came during a Sirius XM interview, in which Cyrus opened up about her complicated history with the character that launched her career.
“It’s crazy to think that I started as a character that I thought was going to be impossible to shed,” she said, “but now that’s something that when I walk into a space, it’s looked at as this sense of kind of, like, nostalgia or something that you have from your childhood.”
Cyrus confirmed that she has plans for the show’s upcoming 20th anniversary in 2026. “I want to design something really, really special for it,” she said, “because it really was the beginning of all of this.”
🚨| Miley Cyrus confirms a Hannah Montana project for 20th anniversary!!
🚨| Miley Cyrus confirms a Hannah Montana project for 20th anniversary!! pic.twitter.com/FmkyM1EwVk
— Miley Cyrus Updates (@MileyCyrusBz) July 22, 2025
From Teen Sensation to Cultural Phenomenon
When Hannah Montana premiered on Disney Channel in March 2006, it became an instant hit. The premise was simple but effective: a teenage girl lives a normal life by day and transforms into an international pop star by night. The series struck a chord with viewers, turning Cyrus into a bona fide celebrity.
As the franchise grew, so did her profile. There were tours, albums, a hit movie, and a merchandising empire that spanned everything from clothing to lunch boxes. In character, Cyrus released songs like “The Best of Both Worlds” and “Nobody’s Perfect.” Out of character, she launched her own music career with hits such as “See You Again,” “7 Things,” and “Can’t Be Tamed,” the latter signaling her first real step away from the Disney machine.
Parents, however, weren’t always on board. Her increasingly provocative performances, including a supposed pole dance at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards and a leaked video of her allegedly smoking salvia, caused backlash among fans who were still tethered to her image as Hannah Montana. But for Cyrus, growing up — and growing out of Disney — was inevitable.
Last year, that growth came full circle. At the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Miley Cyrus was inducted as the youngest-ever Disney Legend and, visibly emotional, reflected on her time as Hannah.
“I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana because she made Miley in so many ways,” Cyrus said. “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 moment was noteworthy for more than just the award. Fans had long speculated that Cyrus wanted nothing to do with her Disney past. In a 2013 Saturday Night Live appearance, she famously declared, “She was murdered,” when asked about Hannah. But the D23 speech marked a shift — and the confirmation of a new Hannah-related project has only solidified it.
What Comes Next For Hannah Montana?
Details about the 20th anniversary plans remain under wraps. Some fans are hoping for a re-release or performance of classic Hannah tracks — now a real possibility, since Cyrus confirmed she is once again legally allowed to sing the songs after being named a Disney Legend. Others wonder if a docuseries or retrospective event might be in the works.
A full-fledged reboot appears unlikely. Several former cast members have either distanced themselves from the show or dismissed the idea publicly. Earlier this year, Cyrus faced renewed scrutiny after claiming that drugs were used on set — comments that did not sit well with one of her former co-stars.
Still, whatever form the project takes, one thing is clear: Hannah Montana’s legacy is no longer something Cyrus is running from. It’s something she’s reclaiming — on her terms.
And for millions who grew up with her music and her story, that’s a comeback worth waiting for.
Would you watch a Hannah Montana reboot?
I would definitely watch if Dolly Parton is part of the cast.