Featured Image Credit: Disney Channel/Byron Cohen
Topics: Miley Cyrus, Disney, Disney Plus, TV And Film, Celebrity
Jen Thomas
Topics: Miley Cyrus, Disney, Disney Plus, TV And Film, Celebrity
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' character.
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.
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'.
Advert
While the charges were later dismissed, Disney recast his role in Phineas and Ferb in 2025, with many speculating it could 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.
Taking to Instagram, 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."
Musso also 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."
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', adding: "It’s not just a TV show. I see daily how important Hannah is to people. When I travel, people bring me ‘Hannah’ merch. They ask, ‘Are you ever going to do another season?’"
The Jackson Stewart star attended the premier of Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, but didn’t actually appear in the doc.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Earles said: “It’s incredible. It’s something that so many people identified with their childhoods and is still important to them 15 years later. It’s a very humbling, exciting thing to be a part of.”
The actor hosts an ‘unofficial Hannah Montana podcast’, called Best of Both Our Worlds, where he recently revealed that he lied about his age to land the role of Miley’s older brother.
“When I auditioned for the show, I lied to them and told them I was 18 years old,” Earles said.
“I remember one of the higherup network executives showed up on show night and he was like, ‘Hey, so, you’re 28.’ And I was like, ‘I am’.”
Billy Ray Cyrus, who starred as Robby Ray Stewart in the Disney hit, has shared several social media posts to promote the special.
“Robby Ray’s still the proudest dad in the world,” he wrote in one, while another said: “Some things never change… 20 years later and @mileycyrus still knows the old handshake trick.”
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle played mean girl Ashley Dewitt in the series.
Sharing a post on social media, she wrote: “What a special night celebrating the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary yesterday!
“This cast is unbelievably talented and this show will always be iconic. I’m so grateful to have been a part of something that meant so much to your childhood. I hope the magic keeps living on for generations to come!
“Big love to Miley Cyrus for leading the way and making the show so unforgettable. And of course, I have to end it with a little OoOo TsSsSS. Thank you Disney+ for a fun time as always!”
Shanica Knowles starred as Amber Addison in Hannah Montana, the other half of the mean girl duo.
She shared an Instagram post celebrating the show’s anniversary, writing: “Happy 20 year anniversary #HannahMontana !!!
“Thank you to my co-stars and my fans for making such an incredible impact on my childhood and young adulthood. So many memories…so many stories…so many secrets that I will take with me to the grave.
“There’s way to many people to tag but just know that each and every one of you will hold a special place in my heart. And @mileycyrus you better WORK girrrrrrl! I told you then…and I’m telling you now…you are a STAR…and I am so damn proud of you and the way you make people feel through your beautiful spirit. You did it…you changed the world girl…and it was a privilege to be one of the people beside you to watch it happen.
“This journey may seem like the end… but for me… this is just the beginning.”
Cody Linley, who played heartthrob Jake Ryan in Hannah Montana, took to Instagram to share a video with fans.
“I'm really excited to celebrate with the cast and crew this coming Monday and honoured for all the fans worldwide who supported me and the show,” he said.
In the caption of his post, Linley penned: “It’s wild to think it’s been 20 years since Hannah Montana first aired… So grateful to be celebrating with the cast & crew this Monday, and even more grateful for all of YOU who’ve supported me over the years all around the world!
“Jake Ryan will always have a special place in my heart.”