Getting the best of both worlds never seemed so easy until Disney and Hulu’s 20th Anniversary special of the iconic Disney Channel show Hannah Montana series starring Miley Cyrus, creating the premiere of Hannahversary.
The Grammy-winning star has made a name for herself over the course of her career since Hannah Montana made her a household name and scandals and controversies ensued, but this special allowed for Cyrus and fans to find their way back home.
This nostalgic, less-than-an-hour special that released March 27, featured host and podcaster Alex Cooper, Cyrus’ parents Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, friend and colleague Selena Gomez, singer Chappel Roan and of course the star, Miley Cyrus.
Cyrus revisited the character that kickstarted her career and looked back on the show that changed not only her life but a generation.
Two decades later the genuine and young girl with a beautiful, big voice still shined her authentic light on stage,where she sang a new song “Younger You” and explored behind the scenes along with other features from the special.
Cyrus reminisced on the series with the help of Alex Cooper in a sit-down interview sprinkled throughout the special that allowed her to vulnerably discuss the emotions she felt during her time before and after Hannah Montana.
Her real-life and on-set father, Billy Ray, did a read-through of an iconic scene where Miley chose between her true self or Hannah Montana highlighting the feelings Cyrus felt in reality about the differences between herself and the character she played.
“I used to think of Hannah as something separate from myself. I used to think of it as a character. Even though it was me, I would always think, ‘What would be best for Hannah?’ I didn’t always think about that as if we are integrated. What I’m loving about this special is that it’s my kind of reclaiming of merging Hannah and Miley together,” Cyrus said after performing “This Is The Life” and “The Climb” to an audience of young and old fans.
Miley revisited the old set, which “felt like home,” alongside her mom where they shared a heartfelt moment and discussed the fashion and wig inspiration for the series and the ability and love Cyrus now had for her true self.
While Cooper guided her conversation with Cyrus in a way that led audiences through many topics regarding different seasons and the Hannah Montana movie, some critics think it was somewhat of a questionable choice for hosts.
In between conversations, flashbacks and juicy tidbits the well-known “oo-oh-woah-ohh” played in the background igniting that 2006 feeling.
Even so, she was an obvious fan that kept the discussion light and fun (like the secret that Cyrus and Dylan Sprouse dated as teen stars) but also very engaging and vulnerable at times which led to flashbacks from the show and other celebrity cameos.
Gomez and Cyrus bonded over their time while on Disney Channel at the same time, while Chappel Roan felt like an odd guest that only added a slightly awkward conversation.
Fans who feel a nostalgic tie to Hannah Montana and Cyrus’ portrayal also felt snided that no original cast members were involved in the making of the Hannahversary and felt like it fell short of some of their expectations.
Even so, the special conjured up decades old memories and brought Cyrus to a full-circle moment where she felt as though she could be herself to the fullest and allowed for fans to be blasted back to the past.
