Today marks Hannah Montana’s 15th anniversary of the show’s premiere date, and if there’s one person who is feeling sentimental about it, it’s Miley Cyrus. The actress/singer wrote a sweet note to Hannah on the anniversary to reflect on her role.
Cyrus, 28, began playing the character in 2006, when she was just 13, until 2011. Looking back at the role, Miley recalled the highs and lows on set and thanked Hannah for kickstarting her career.
She gave a shout out to her dad for taking her to and from set, her grandmother for running her fan club from her dressing room kitchen, and her mom for taking her to acting lessons and auditions even though it meant moving the whole family cross country. She also shared what it was like losing her grandfather just before the show premiered.
“I lost my pappy my Dad’s father while on set filming an early episode of season 1. He wanted to hold on long enough to catch the premiere on March 24th. He passed February 28th. He did get to see the commercial that ran during High School Musical which he claimed was one of the proudest moments in his lifetime + he was a badass democratic state legislature. My heart was broken but fulfilled to know I could carry his name beside my dad’s through every credit.”
Cyrus continued to recall her “firsts”. “I experienced falling in love for the first time in those years. Embarrassingly started my period in a pair of white capris of course on the day a ‘cute guy’ was cast + asked to have lunch with me. Instead I spent it in the bathroom with my mom sobbing + scrambling to find a pair of fresh denim.”
She ended the two page letter by thanking the team at Disney and Hannah. “Not a day goes by I forget where I came from. A building in Burbank, California with a room full of people with the power to fulfill my destiny. And that they did. They gave me you. The greatest gift a girl could ask for. I love you Hannah Montana. Forever, Miley.”
The series finale aired when Miley was 18. By then, she had released three albums and filmed The Last Song with ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. Miley released her ‘Can’t Be Tamed’ album in 2010, which was a clear sign she was ready to leave behind Hannah Montana. Three years later she released ‘Bangerz’. But we all know and love her as our favorite Hannah Montana.
