Twenty years ago, Miley Cyrus introduced the world to iconic blonde bangs while rocking a gold scarf as a belt- otherwise known as Hannah Montana. From hit songs and beloved movies, Cyrus surely had made the character a Disney Channel staple. Now, exactly twenty years since the premiere of Hannah Montana series, Miley Cyrus is back for a reunion special.
Hosted by Alex Cooper, the reunion special premiered on Hulu and Disney+ on March 24, 2026, exactly twenty years since Hannah Montana first premiered on Disney Channel. The special was an hour long production bringing immense waves of nostalgia to fans throughout the entire broadcast.
From visits to the iconic Stewart house set, to Hannah’s closet that heavily inspired fashion in the 2000’s. Cyrus also performed hit songs such as “This is the Life”, “The Climb” and “Best of Both Worlds” throughout the special that made Hannah Montana a household name.
The special featured several guest appearances from returning cast members, including her father Billy Ray Cyrus. Selena Gomez and Chappel Roan also made an appearance during the hour-long special. The two emphasized how much the series means to them and their own personal careers.
When the series first premiered in 2006, Miley Cyrus was only 13 years old at the time. Now at 33, Cyrus sits down and shares the challenges she had faced as trying to balance being a popstar along with just being a teenager. Cyrus also shared how special it was to her to watch the series grow and be so successful, even far beyond the TV screen. The influence of Hannah Montana led to sold-out tours, top-charting songs and the release of Hannah Montana: The Movie in 2009.
Even twenty years later, bits and pieces of Hannah Montana still linger in our lives. Songs and episode clips are being revived on new platforms such as TikTok, creating trends and opening Hannah Montana to a new generation, while still comforting the adults that grew up watching the show as kids.
One fan told BBC Newsbeat that Hannah Montana delivers a common theme that many can resonate to within their own personal lives. It may not be balancing being a teenager with being a popstar, but many can find their own ‘double-life’ examples, even as adults. “We all have nine-to-fives, or we might be full-time parents,” they said. “Then we have the other side of our life where we’re so carefree, and we have our hobbies and passions.”
Cyrus ended the special with a performance of a new song, “Younger You” as a thank you note to her younger self and fans for everything she has accomplished.
The 20th anniversary special made it clear that Hannah Montana was more than just a show, it played a significant role in shaping pop culture in the 2000s. Hannah Montana is something that people will never forget, even twenty years later, we’re still getting the best of both worlds.
