Miley Cyrus Gets Emotional as She Becomes Youngest Disney Legend: “I Stand Here Proud to be Hannah Montana”

The actress and singer, who is widely recognized for her role on the hit show ‘Hannah Montana’, has made history by becoming the youngest individual ever named a Disney Legend, an esteemed title given to those who have made significant contributions to The Walt Disney Company.

While addressing the crowd at the D23 event in Anaheim, California, Cyrus became emotional as the audience applauded her achievement. She shared that she had prepared two speeches for the occasion—one elaborate and the other brief, in case she felt overwhelmed. Reflecting on her journey, Cyrus humorously mentioned her beginnings with ‘Hannah Montana’ in 2005, saying she “definitely wasn’t created in a lab” as a “Disney kid.” 

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Cyrus expressed a deep sense of pride in her role as Hannah Montana, stating, “A little bit of everything has changed, … but at the same time, nothing has changed at all. I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana.” She dedicated the award to the character of Hannah and her devoted fans, affirming that the recognition is a tribute to those who have supported her dreams. “To quote the legend herself, ‘This is life,'” she added.

Bob Iger, the Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, commended Cyrus in a press release, emphasizing that being named a Disney Legend is the highest honour the company can bestow. 

He described the award as reserved for individuals whose talent and achievements have earned them a lasting place in Disney’s legacy. Iger highlighted that the fourteen individuals honoured this year have made extraordinary contributions across various Disney realms.

Cyrus first captured audiences as Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel show, which aired from 2006 to 2011. The series followed Miley Stewart (Cyrus), a teenager living a double life as the pop star Hannah Montana. She further expanded her role with ‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’ in 2009 and headlined the Best of Both Worlds tour in 2011.

In 2021, Cyrus celebrated the 16th anniversary of ‘Hannah Montana’ by sharing a video of herself performing one of the show’s popular songs, ‘Hoedown Throwdown’, at a concert. On social media, she reflected on how her life changed with the show’s debut and expressed gratitude for the support that allowed her to travel and perform worldwide.

-Sushmita Sarkar