Miley Cyrus celebrated the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana during the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday evening. In her acceptance speech for the Innovator Award, Cyrus expressed a heartfelt appreciation for the character she portrayed and for her dedicated fans.
“This week, celebrating 20 years of Hannah Montana has been a dream come true,” Cyrus remarked. “Hannah Montana inspired me immensely in my own career. I have embraced the concept that crafting a persona can empower you with the confidence and courage necessary for authentic performance, highlighting how sometimes a fabricated version of yourself can unveil your true essence.”
Cyrus shared her thoughts on the significance of receiving the iHeartRadio award, stating, “For me, innovation has never entailed shedding my past; rather, it has meant embracing the journey of self-discovery while having fun along the way. Writing songs and telling stories is something I love, and although winning awards for my work is gratifying, it does not serve as my guiding principle. If accolades were my compass, I would likely feel lost. The true reward lies in creating art that resonates with individuals I may never meet, which brings me a deeply fulfilling sense of joy.”
Reflecting on the past two decades, she said, “Younger me is so honored to share this moment with you. I stand here today proud to express how much you mean to me. This really is the life.”
Earlier in the week, Cyrus premiered the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special on Disney+. The hour-long event showcased a set reminiscent of the original show, where she performed several Hannah Montana songs, participated in an interview with superfan Alex Cooper (who played a pivotal role in organizing the special), and welcomed celebrity guests, including Chappell Roan and Selena Gomez. This event was designed with the fans in mind, evoking a sense of nostalgia from the late 2000s, and at one point, Cyrus declared, “Hannah, she gave me my start, but my fans gave me this life.”
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