Miley Cyrus Nearly Missed Her Iconic Role As Hannah Montana – Here'S How She Finally Landed It

The Unexpected Journey to Stardom

Before she was collecting Grammy awards, Miley Cyrus was a young girl vying for a chance to shine on Disney Channel's beloved series, "Hannah Montana." From 2006 to 2011, the show ran for four seasons, catapulting Cyrus into the limelight. Yet, surprisingly, she almost didn't get the part that made her a household name. Initially, the role was handed to another Disney darling.

Cyrus reminisces about her breakout role in the "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special," which hit Disney+ and Hulu on March 24. During the special, the now 33-year-old pop sensation opened up about the grueling audition process that had producers hesitant to cast her.

"We were down to the last two girls, and you were this 12-year-old pistol, raw and real, and fresh out of Tennessee," a former Disney executive, Gary Marsh, recollected. "It was not a landslide."

From Rejection to Reinvention

Miley's journey to becoming Hannah Montana began at the tender age of 11 when she first auditioned for the show. Initially, she aimed for the part of Lilly Truscott, which eventually went to Emily Osment. Encouraged to try for the lead role, she faced rejection due to her youth.

Disney initially offered the role to Aly Michalka, known for "Phil of the Future." However, Michalka declined, finding it confusing to juggle her band, Aly & AJ, and the dual identity of Hannah Montana. This twist of fate reopened the door for Cyrus.

A year later, a determined Miley arrived in Los Angeles, wearing a cheeky T-shirt that read "I Should Have My Own TV Show," capturing the producers' attention and finally securing the role of Chloe Stewart, later renamed Miley.

The Family Touch

Securing the role of Hannah Montana wasn't the end of Miley's family involvement. She had the idea to include her real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus, as her character's TV dad. However, there was a hiccup – Billy Ray's kindness almost cost him the role, as he encouraged fellow auditioning actors.

Despite this, the chemistry between Miley and her father was undeniable. "It was so obvious, after all the other dads, that you can’t fake the kind of connection that we have," Miley reflected.

Reliving the Magic

For fans eager to relive the magic, the "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special," hosted by Alex Cooper, is available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. This special offers a nostalgic journey back to the show that started it all for Miley Cyrus.