The long-awaited 20th anniversary reunion episode of Hannah Montana is out now, but fans are disappointed that several major players were missing.
Mitchel Musso, who played Oliver Oken in the series, was nowhere to be seen.
Neither was Emily Osment, who played Lily Truscott, the BFF of Miley Cyrus.
While Osment revealed her absence was due to a diary clash as she was busy filming Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Musso didn't spell out why he was missing.
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According to Deadline, back in 2023 the actor was arrested for 'public intoxication, theft (under $100), expired registration, failure to display a driver's license, and violating a promise to appear notice.'
While the charges were later dismissed, Disney recast his role in Phineas and Ferb in 2025, with many speculating it was due to his arrest.
Musso might not have elaborated on his absence, but he did share an emotional message with fans of the show on his social media.
He wrote: "Hannah Montana wrapped around my heart and never really let go. We literally grew up with ya’ll — long days, crazy schedules, learning lines, cracking up between takes, and figuring out life while the cameras rolled.
Musso continued: "It taught me so many wonderful values, but the most important 'to me' is that laughter can get you through the tough days. That confidence still sticks with me every single day"
He paid tribute to the fans: "To all of you who grew up right alongside us… your friends were our friends too. Like my Lillypop said on her post, so many of you building families of your own and sharing this wonderful story with your kids is a gift beyond words. It’s been the coolest part of HM."
He addressed the rest of the cast and crew: "Miley, Emily, Jason, Billy Ray, Moises, and the whole crew at Disney — you became my family through all the real, messy, beautiful moments. Thank you for believing in a goofy kid from Texas who wore some questionable outfits with a haircut like that."
Musso rounded off by saying: "To all of you, thank you for welcoming me into your homes and hearts 20 years ago and still allowing me to be here today. I’m honored we get to share all of this together."
Osment shared similar sentiments in her post, thanking the fans for their long-time adoration of the show: "Hannah Montana changed my life, it gave me a lifelong respect for this medium of comedy, it taught me discipline, patience, timing and respect working in an adult space so young."
"I’ve met thousands of HM fans over the years, fans that now have children watching this show and fans that literally work beside me every day, like Montana. He’s seen every episode, don’t be fooled," she joked.
Addressing the fans, she wrote: "I can’t tell you what your sweet messages mean to me and how lucky I feel to have been apart of this once in a generation goliath of a television show. Thank you for letting me into your living rooms and I hope to still be there many years from now. Would never be where I am without you guys, working on another beautiful show I love so dearly. With all my heart, THANK YOU!"
Cyrus confessed to Variety that she had started teasing everyone about the anniversary reunion before it was even confirmed, and said it was a trick she learned from her Godmother, Dolly Parton.
“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.”
She told Disney it 'would be huge', and that she saw 'how important Hannah is to people. When I travel, people bring me ‘Hannah’ merch. They ask, ‘Are you ever going to do another season?’”
Topics: Miley Cyrus, Disney, Disney Plus, TV And Film, Celebrity
Jen Thomas