By: Jamie Georges, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
Miley Cyrus returns to the set of “Hannah Montana” in honor of 20 years since the making of this show, sparking nostalgia from those who grew up watching.
The “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” was first hinted by Cyrus in interviews before actually beginning production. Sure enough, talk about a film came to reality with a team behind Cyrus’ idea to celebrate the very show that catapulted her career and impacted a generation.
Cyrus had no previous acting skills before her role as “Hannah Montana” but her audition made it clear she was fit for the role. Disney took a chance with Cyrus being a part of this show. Its success would birth tween fashion culture among young audiences and create hit songs that would be deeply rooted in many childhood memories.
For Gen Z and Millennials instant nostalgia rolls in at the start of the special as Cyrus performs the show’s theme song, “The Best of Both Worlds,” with her iconic banged blonde hair. Her performance follows with a reflection of the show’s set which she noticeably points out has not changed saying, “home sweet home.”
“It feels like my childhood is back. I rewatch Hannah Montana all the time, just to get that nostalgic feeling,” Liliana Randazzo, a fan of the show said. “The fact that she came out with a special makes my inner child so happy.”
The special aired on Disney+ with Cyrus taking the time to reflect on her days as “Hannah Montana.” Alex Cooper, “Call Her Daddy” podcast host, leads the conversation with Cyrus. They touch on the iconic rotating closet in the show that included many fun and bedazzled pieces. She asks Cyrus about fan’s favorite scenes in the show, one of them being Hannah’s love triangle between Jake and Jessie. The special shares iconic dance moves from “Hannah Montana: The Movie” and more special performances like “The Climb” throughout the documentary.
“Hannah Montana” first aired in 2006. The show about living a double life with Cyrus playing as an ordinary girl, “Miley Stuart” and pop star, “Hannah Montana” was a massive hit for Disney. Many found themselves relating to the two characters who had to live two lifestyles at a young age. As the show grew, so did Cyrus’ fame through merchandise and sold-out tours. This show is known for its humor, themes of friendship, catchy songs, and fashion choices that fostered fashion trends and moments of relatability for tweens.
This show became a sensation for Disney Channel with chart topping songs and receiving high viewership. The pressure of this show at a young age caused Cyrus to want to detach herself from the character.
“I know it took her a while to accept the role of ‘Hannah Montana’ because she wanted to get rid of that image, so I am really happy she was able to finally accept it and come back to it” Aruzhan Yessengeldy, a fan of the show said.
Cyrus noticeably distanced herself from her Disney past, after the show ended in 2011, to discover who she was without it. For fans, Cyrus coming back to reflect on her role is both thrilling and reminiscent.
“What I’m loving about this special is that it’s my kind of reclaiming of merging ‘Hannah’ and ‘Miley’ together,” Cyrus said.
As Cyrus reflects on the show with her mother Tish Cyrus, she discusses the importance of having her mom allowing her the freedom to find herself.
“I love being Hannah, I love being Miley Cyrus, I love my personas but what I am most proud of is who I am as a person,” Cyrus said. “You’ve just always taught me to like, be in the moment, be authentic to who you are and you’ve never tried to keep me Hannah– you wanted Miley to express herself, even if that meant losing all of this.”
Hannah Montana is a show that is sentimental for many because it invited other Disney stars to guest feature on the show. As Cyrus sits with Cooper, Cooper shares that celebrities like Raven-Symoné, the Sprouse twins, Selena Gomez, and even the High School Musical Cast had played guest roles in “Hannah Montana.”
Being back on the set of “Hannah Montana” for Cyrus has been more fun for her than emotional, she shared.
“But it’s just so much fun to celebrate and not only to look back, but also be in the present moment– look out and see that everybody else has grown up too,” Cyrus said.
For Cyrus to return to her role as “Hannah” after two decades since the show ended, was a surprise for fans that they didn’t know they needed. This moment for Gen Z and Millennials brings more than happiness but memories that give viewers a chance to revisit the same feelings their younger selves once had when watching.
The reflection of this special showed how Cyrus has grown and truly accepted this era of her life, that was “Hannah Montana.” Through this special, not only did Cyrus honor her past but her reflection of it allowed these generations with closure and a moment of nostalgia that was both emotional and iconic.
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