Miley Cyrus Says She Is ‘Forever Grateful’ to Have Been Hannah Montana After Disney Legend Honor

Mar. 15, 2025

Hannah Montana; Miley Cyrus.Photo:DISNEY CHANNEL/BYRON COHEN; Arturo Holmes/Getty

DISNEY CHANNEL/BYRON COHEN; Arturo Holmes/Getty

Hannah Montanawill always be close toMiley Cyrus’ heart.

The singer, 31, said she is “forever grateful” for her breakthrough role as the teen pop singer in anInstagram poston Monday, Aug. 12, a day afterbeing named a Disney LegendatD23.

“Thank you. Such an honor to be inducted as a Disney Legend,” Cyrus wrote in the caption. “This award is dedicated to Hannah Montana and all of her fans. You’ve shown me legendary love & loyalty. Forever grateful.”Alongside her message, the Disney alum shared a video of herself making her acceptance speech at the event in Anaheim, California, along with a clip making handprints in cement on a plaque in tradition with previous honorees of D23’s Disney Legend honor.

On Sunday, Aug. 11, Cyrus appeared very emotional as she appeared onstage to collect her Disney Legend title — making history as the youngest person ever to receive the honor.

Cyrus recalled in a teary-eyed speech her beginnings of working onHannah Montanain 2005, joking that she “definitely wasn’t created in a lab” as a “Disney kid.”

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She also revealed to the audience that she wasn’t the first choice to be cast in the role of the iconic Disney character, but added, “I had gotten a taste of what my life could be, and from that moment on, I did not want anything else.”

“I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana," the “Flowers” singer continued.

“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,’ " she added.

Lainey Wilson and Miley Cyrus at D23.The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company

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Cyrus made her big break playing Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel’s hit show of the same name in 2006. The show followed teenager Miley Stewart (Cyrus) who secretly led a double life as famous pop star Hannah Montana.

The Disney series continued for four seasons until 2011. In 2009, Cyrus also appeared inHannah Montana: The Movieand headlined the Best of Both Worlds tour two years later.

source: people.com