Get ready to celebrate with the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special,” premiering on Disney+ on March 24.
In this one-hour special, Miley Cyrus returns to the iconic Malibu home of Miley Stewart, reconnects with some beloved Disney Channel stars, and revisits a selection of hit songs from the series, which originally aired from 2006 to 2011.
“I didn’t want to do this modern approach to Hannah. I wanted to keep it preserved,” Cyrus explained in her Variety cover story, adding that creating the anniversary special “felt like home again.”
Here’s what we know about the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special.”
The music
During the special’s taping, Cyrus embraced her Hannah Montana persona on a stage reminiscent of the show’s title sequence. She wore a glittering black dress and styled her hair with blond bangs akin to Hannah’s — and it’s all her real hair!
Performing in front of 215 attendees, Cyrus delivered renditions of “This Is the Life,” “The Climb,” and “The Best of Both Worlds.” The special will also feature a new, original song.
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The special guests
In an interview with Variety, Cyrus revealed that fellow Disney star Selena Gomez will make an appearance in the special. The surprise was orchestrated by “Call Her Daddy” host Alex Cooper, who interviews Cyrus during the broadcast.
Billy Ray Cyrus, who played Robby Ray Stewart, the father of Miley’s character, joins her in a recreated version of the Stewart family living room. They share stories from the audition process, while Tish Cyrus, Miley’s mother, appears for a heartfelt conversation as they explore Hannah Montana’s memorable, futuristic bedroom closet.
Other cast members, including Emily Osment and Jason Earles, have acknowledged the show’s 20th anniversary on social media, though their participation in the special remains unconfirmed. Likewise, it is uncertain whether other notable alumni, such as the Jonas Brothers or Dolly Parton, will appear.
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The sets
Disney has meticulously recreated the Stewart family home sets for the special, with Tish pulling out a treasure trove of outfits, fan letters, and scrapbooks she had preserved. In the trailer, Cyrus is seen entering the Stewarts’ kitchen and conducting an interview in the living room.
While filming, Cyrus was spotted driving a convertible in Malibu. She confirmed to Variety that this was Cooper’s idea to start the special with an emotional touch, as she drives along Pacific Coast Highway to the Hollywood soundstage. “I didn’t think about the correlation between Hannah’s house in Malibu and my house in Malibu,” Cyrus said, reflecting on her own home burning down and the process of rebuilding.
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The nostalgia
Cyrus also hinted to Variety about the nostalgic elements from “Hannah Montana” that will be included in the special. She reenacts Hannah’s signature hair flip and pays tribute to the Disney Channel “wand ID” commercials (“Hey, I’m Miley Cyrus from ‘Hannah Montana,’ and you’re watching Disney Channel”). Additionally, the special honors the show’s iconic “Ooh-whoa-ooh-whoa-ooh-ooh-whoa” transition music.
