Lainey Wilson Covers Hannah Montana to Introduce Miley Cyrus at 2024 Disney Legends

On Sunday night, August 11, the 2024 Disney Legends Ceremony took place in Anaheim, California, where 14 new members were inducted into the prestigious group, including the youngest member ever, Miley Cyrus.

Host Ryan Seacrest highlighted that Cyrus joined the Disney family at just 13 years old, and her presence quickly made an impact not just on the network, but globally. A highlight reel showcasing her remarkable career followed. It included clips from her 2023 Disney+ special, Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions), memorable scenes from Hannah Montana, and early interviews.

As the reel concluded, country superstar Lainey Wilson took the stage. She shared an interesting anecdote: “Miley, you might not know this, but I’m truly one of your biggest fans. My very first job was impersonating Hannah Montana with a portable sound system and a wig.” Wilson, who has previously shared this story, gave tribute to Cyrus, expressing how Hannah Montana inspired her to believe in herself and pursue extraordinary dreams.

Wilson then delivered a powerful rendition of the Hannah Montana theme song “The Best of Both Worlds.” She even peppered the performance with modern references, swapping out lines to match today’s pop culture.

After the performance, which she described as “a dream come true,” Wilson expressed gratitude toward Cyrus for her fearless individuality and determination.

Seated in the front row with her mother, Tish, and fellow honorees like Jamie Lee Curtis, Angela Bassett, and Harrison Ford, Cyrus then took to the stage and greeted Wilson with a heartfelt hug. Holding back tears, she addressed the audience of nearly 20,000 fans, prompting an enthusiastic standing ovation.

“Before we get started,” she said, “I’m going to let everybody in on a little Disney Legends’ secret — Legends get scared too. I’m scared right now… It’s legendary to be afraid and do it anyway. There’s no such thing as failure when you try.”

Cyrus went on to reveal she had prepared two speeches: “One long, if I’m the badass I’m supposed to be. And one short, if I get scared.” Opting for the longer version, she captivated the audience for just over five minutes.

Reflecting on 2005, Cyrus humorously linked her and Disney CEO Bob Iger to the company’s mission to rebuild and reimagine itself. She recounted the buzz in the Burbank office where she auditioned for Hannah Montana and joked about the “rumor” that Disney kids were created in labs.

Turning to a more serious note, Cyrus shared memories from when she moved from Nashville to Los Angeles to kick-start her career. Discussing her early days, she recalled her first performance as Hannah Montana at the Glendale Galleria, singing “This Is The Life” to an audience that had little idea who she was at the time.

“A little bit of everything has changed since that day, but at the same time, nothing has changed at all,” Cyrus reflected. “I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana. Because she made Miley in so many ways. This award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing, loyal fans and to everyone who has made my dream a reality. To quote the legend herself: ‘This is the life.’”

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