Miley Cyrus recently marked a major milestone as she appeared on the red carpet for the 20th anniversary special of Hannah Montana. The special, now streaming on Disney+, looks back at the popular show with behind the scenes clips, interviews and memories from the cast. During the event, Miley shared an interesting story about Taylor Swift and her role in Hannah Montana: The Movie. Taylor appears in a memorable barn party scene in the film, where she performs her song “Crazier”.
Talking about how this came together, Miley said, “So the way that Taylor Swift ended up in the Hannah Montana movie was because this was kind of the beginning of her career, and they were looking for someone that would authentically — no shade, I guess — be performing in a barn.”
Miley also performs the song “You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home” at the end of the film, which was written by Taylor. Speaking about her contribution, Miley added, “Credit where credit’s due. Banger,” showing her appreciation for the track and its impact.
The special also highlights Miley’s early journey and how she got the role that changed her life. She revealed that she was not selected when she first auditioned for the show. The makers initially chose a different direction. However, about a year later, she was called back to Los Angeles for another audition. This time, she got the part that would go on to make her a household name.
Another interesting moment from the casting process involved her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Miley shared that a Disney casting director once joked that they could not afford him for the role. Her mother, Tish Cyrus, saw this as an opportunity and pushed for him to be considered.
However, Billy Ray almost lost the role for an unexpected reason. During auditions, he was reportedly encouraging other fathers to try out and even recommending them, which nearly cost him the part. Despite this, he eventually joined the show, becoming an important part of its success.
Overall, the anniversary special offers a simple and honest look back at how Hannah Montana came together, from casting challenges to memorable moments that still connect with fans today.