Ahead Of ‘Hannah Montana’ Anniversary, Miley Cyrus Reveals How Her Godmother Influenced Her Approach To Making The Disney+ Special A Reality

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Miley Cyrus first portrayed Miley Ray Stewart, better known by the stage name of Hannah Montana.

The Disney Channel original series Hannah Montana aired from 2006 to 2011, and its “Hannahversary,” as Miley has called it, is being celebrated with a Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, which premieres on Disney+ on Tuesday, March 24.

There, she will be singing some of the songs that came from that show, discussing the legacy of the series, and even reprising her role as the character that kicked off her career.

However, this 20th anniversary special likely would have never come together had Miley not taken the advice of her godmother, country icon Dolly Parton.

Miley Cyrus Proves Value Of Dolly Parton’s “Terrible Habit”

Speaking with Variety, Miley detailed how the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special came about, or how it nearly never materialized.

Taking a page out of the Dolly Parton playbook, Miley revealed, “I learned this terrible habit — but I actually think it was good advice — from Dolly. She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say ‘no.’ So I just started promoting a ‘Hannah Montana’ 20th-anniversary special that literally did not exist.”

With as many ventures as Dolly Parton is involved in, including Dollywood and Baking With Dolly, this rings true of Miley’s godmother.

Continuing, Miley alluded to her own image as a celebrity, saying, “I think even Disney sometimes forgets the connection between me and Hannah.”

Describing how she is still stopped by fans inquiring about more Hannah Montana, Miley said, “It’s not just a TV show. I see daily how important Hannah is to people.”

From there, it was a matter of Miley nudging Disney in her direction, sending messages from fans and telling Disney what she was observing, saying, “I’m telling you, this would be huge.”

Disney executive Charlie Andrews told Variety that Miley “willed it into existence,” adding that it became a “mad dash” from January to March to get the anniversary show together.

“The thing she was adamant about is that this is for the fans,” Charlie said. “That has gone into literally every decision she has made.”

Bringing in Alex Cooper, host of the podcast Call Her Daddy, who grew up as a fan of Hannah Montana, Miley said, “She understands Hannah in a way that I couldn’t. I never got to experience Hannah being crazy in the pit with other kids.”

With Alex Cooper’s guidance, Miley said the show will live up to the needs and nostalgia the fans have for the show, as well as that era of the Disney Channel. Not only have the show’s sets been recreated, but there will be Disney Channel wand commercials, and more.

It wouldn’t be Hannah Montana without Miley’s real-life dad, too, as Billy Ray Cyrus, who played Billy Ray Stewart on the show, will also be on the anniversary special.

Even fellow Disney alum Selena Gomez will also make an appearance.

Miley also noted that she will be singing an all-new original song during the special.

“We did not want irony,” Miley said of the special. “This is not a joke. I didn’t want this to be a viral moment. My point of doing this was not to break the internet.”

Looking to the fans, Miley said, “My entire life is because of that loyalty.”