This week, at the 2024 D23 Ceremony, Miley Cyrus made history by becoming the youngest recipient of the prestigious Disney Legend title.
During a heartfelt speech at the fan convention, Miley expressed her enduring pride in her role as Hannah Montana, as she received a standing ovation from the 12,000 attendees as she accepted her award at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California, the iconic home of Disneyland.
As she addressed the audience, she reflected on the transformative journey since her breakout role as a teenager leading a double life as a pop star. She expressed that “a little bit of everything has changed,” paradoxically, “nothing has changed at all.”
Lainey Wilson serenaded the crowd with one of Hannah Montana’s most beloved tracks, “The Best of Both Worlds,” before Miley made a heartfelt appearance. Emotions ran high as she reminisced about her initial portrayal of Hannah, recalling the need for concert footage while remaining incognito as Miley. She shared the poignant memory of her first concert, which took place at a shopping centre where tickets were given away for free, marking the beginning of her extraordinary journey.
During the convention, Cyrus was not the only star to be honored with the Disney Legend title. Harrison Ford, known for his roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, was also recognized, as was Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis.
A total of 14 individuals were acknowledged as Disney Legends at the event, including acclaimed composer John Williams, renowned costume designer Colleen Attwood, and Martha Blanding – who made history as Disneyland’s first full-time black tour guide.
