Miley Cyrus. Images: Instagram/@mileycyrus, X/@Disney
Miley Cyrus was emotional as she dedicated her Disney Legends award to Hannah Montana, a role that propelled her to superstar status and she started portraying when she was only 13.
Cyrus was introduced as the youngest Disney Legend at the age of 31 on Monday, August 12 (Philippine Time), during the entertainment giant’s D23 fan convention in Anaheim, California. She was among the 14 awardees at the event.
The Grammy Award-winning singer took on the role of Hannah Montana in the hit TV show from March 2006 to January 2011. The sitcom centered around the fictional pop star living a double life as Miley Stewart, her real name behind the camera.
“I am definitely going to cry. Before I start, I’m gonna let everyone in a Disney Legends secret, legends get scared too. I’m scared right now. But the difference is we do it anyway,” she said. “And all of you can do it every single day. It’s legendary to be afraid and do it anyway. There’s no such thing as failure when you try. That’s the only way to lose. The way to win is to try.”
Congratulations to Miley Cyrus on becoming a Disney Legend – the youngest ever – at #D23! pic.twitter.com/GsswJncwGb
— Disney (@Disney) August 12, 2024
The “Flowers” hitmaker looked back at how she filmed the show’s earlier episodes, where she donned a blonde wig and performed the song “This Is The Life” at a mall.
“They gave away tickets at the Glendale Mall where I would have my first free concert. The first song I opened with was titled ‘This Is the Life’ which of course no one knew,” she said.
“Because in reality, I was a little girl in a blonde wig at the mall with a big dream. But in my heart, I was Hannah Montana, and I was so proud to be,” Cyrus continued while choking back tears.
In her speech, Cyrus said she’s “proud” to portray Hannah’s character as she was crucial in shaping her career. She also dedicated her award to her character, “loyal fans,” and the people who helped her in bringing her “dream a reality.”
“A little bit of everything has changed since that day, but at the same time, nothing has changed at all. I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana because she made Miley in so many ways,” she 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,’” she further added.
Also part of the “Hannah Montana” cast were Emily Osment, Mitchell Musso, Jason Earles, Moises Arias, and her father Billy Ray Cyrus.
Aside from Cyrus, other Disney Legends recognized in the ceremony were Harrison Ford, Angela Bassett, James Cameron, and Jamie Lee Curtis, to name a few.