Wonderland
20 THINGS WE LOVE AND MISS ABOUT HANNAH MONTANA
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Disney Channel’s hit TV show, Hannah Montana, we asked 20 super fans to tell us about their favourite memories.
Asking your girlie group chat about their favourite Hannah Montana memories is like opening a can of sequins-wearing, three-top layered, zebra-print sporting worms – everyone has a memory. And just about everybody else responds with a text along the lines of “omg yes I remember”, followed by an absurd amount of exclamation marks and crying emojis.
It’s undeniable that the Disney Channel show has left its imprint in our young minds. There was the iconic theme song. And its buffered version in the film. The blonde wig which, albeit its questionable positioning at times, made little girls wonder if they, too, could double as a superstar. The familial bonds portrayed by Billy Ray Cyrus and Dolly Parton. A sister from another mother in the character of Lilly Truscott, played by Emily Osment. The clueless Oliver Oken, played by Mitchel Muso. The goofy guys, Jackson Stewart (Jackson Earles) and Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrico (Moisés Arias). The “oooooohhh, yeahhh” transition adlibs which varied in tone and energy depending on Miley Stuart’s mood at the time in the episode. The crossover episodes with The Suite Life on Deck of Zack and Cody and Wizards of Waverly Place. And now, there’s the Miley Cyrus manifested 20th anniversary special – feeling old yet?
To indulge our nostalgic urges, we asked 20 super fans to tell us what Hannah Montana memory they hold nearest and dearest to their heart. Below is what they had to say.
The “I’ll Always Remember You” scene in her closet
This episode was my introduction to grief. Never had I bawled my eyes out like I did at 9 years old, watching Miley go through Hannah’s outfits, reminiscing on all the good times. Brb, crying again.
Juliette, 25
Miley and Rob singing “Butterfly Fly Away”
If I could go back to one moment, it would be sitting down and watching Hannah Montana The Movie, especially the part where Miley sings “Butterfly Fly Away” with her dad. That scene always stayed with me – it showed a kind of love that feels constant and reassuring. As a kid, it reminded me so much of my own dad and how he was always there for me.
Marianne, 25
The bone dance
Then comes the tibia, that ain’t no fibia! I’m sorry, did anyone say Hannah Montana wasn’t educational? If it wasn’t for Miley’s The Bone Dance, I’d have yet to find out I have a parietal bone. I miss telling my mum I was studying, and that meant watching the Disney Channel.
Sofia, 27
Introducing me to Dolly Parton
“The Climb” maybe changed my life. And her friendship with Lilly was goals. And not to forget, she introduced me to the Queen, Dolly Parton!!! That was actually life-changing.
Paulina, 27
Her closet
Her closet was every teenage girl’s dream. I still wish I had a rotating wardrobe. Also, the last episode of the last season, I literally sobbed so hard. My mother was extremely concerned.
Nicole, 27
Hannah’s icky date with Oliver
I love the episode where Hannah is chewing gum and it turns black in her mouth when she is trying to gross out Oliver so that he doesn’t fancy Hannah. Then she takes her wig off and he’s like “wtf.” But I don’t think that’s a very glam part [laughs].
Millie, 29
Hannah Montana: The Movie collab with Stardoll
As a fashion-forward child, I was notified about the upcoming Hannah Montana Forever movie through a virtual shopping bag left by my Stardoll wardrobe containing the costumes worn by both Hannah and Miley (Stardoll was like the metaverse for kids interested in high fashion in the 2010s). While grandma’s contributions could never stretch to fund my investments in real designer garments, this virtual collaboration gave me the chance to put myself in Miley’s shoes in one way or another.
Beth, 25
The “Cheese Jerky” episode
I think about this every three months. Like seriously.
Lea, 27
Hannah Montana’s impeccable wardrobe
I still remember seeing Hannah Montana’s closet for the first time and feeling actual butterflies. The neon skirts, sequins, and prints she wore rewired my brain, my favourite look being the yellow zebra top with a leather corset belt and skirt from Season 3. I was obsessed with her long blonde hair and convinced it was the peak of cool. Looking back, I wonder if that was what led me to some questionable fashion choices very early on, like insisting on wearing combat boots with miniskirts in 30-degree weather, sequins to primary school, and, years later, bleaching my hair at a questionable hair salon. But honestly, for that, Hannah, I’m thankful.
Moira, 24
Hannah Montana is girlhood
Honestly, Hannah Montana was my childhood. We got to grow up alongside her. The show, the songs, all of it embodies growing up in that time. I’ll never forget sitting on the floor of the movie theatre, at the nose of the screen as a 13-year-old, belting out “The Climb” with all my friends the day the film came out. Peak girlhood!!
Bailey, 30
Again, the closet
My favourite memory is the iconic Hannah Montana closet! My 10-year-old self still dreams about it to this day! It set my expectations way too high as I’m still waiting to have a wardrobe filled with endless clothes that spin.
Natalie, 30
Soundtracking my childhood
Hannah Montana was one of the longest-running visual undercurrents and soundtrack to my childhood. My top memory, besides her choosing Jake over Jesse (because that was perhaps my first run-in with disappointment and not getting my way xxx), was The Bone Dance. Firstly, a bop. Secondly, choreo ate. And lastly, girly showed herself as a triple threat: brains, beauty, and bonafide superstar — I think this was the point I realised I could do it all…but I stuck with the words thing instead. Also, shouting out “Gonna Get This”, her song with Iyaz – it was my ringtone, and is still on my “all-time faves” playlist because duh.
Aswan, 25
The transition music and sounds
My favourite thing from the show is the super memeable transition sounds (oooooaahhwowowahhhohyeah) that have really endured the test of time, truly iconic still to date, and everywhere on social media. Also special mention to Gonna Get This, Hannah’s best song in collaboration with Iyaz.
Pablo, 25
When she steps off the plane in… Tennessee
For me the most memorable scene is when in the film, that I’ve rewatched countless times, Hannah gets off the plane thinking she is in New York to meet press but was actually tricked by her father into landing in rural Tennessee. Her “Hello New York!” is iconic.
Lara, 24
The movie identity reveal
One moment I loved from the film is definitely the ending scene where she reveals who she really is to everyone, and then sings “You can change your hair, you can change your clothes!” It just feels so freeing and powerful. And to this day, me and my sister still listen to this song!!
Esther, 19
The “Hoedown Throwdown”… need we say more?
Best believe I could do every move of the “Hoedown Throwdown” with my eyes closed at a time. The rumours say I still can. Hannah Montana was my entry point into seeing young female expression on screen – so much so that I accosted my parents for a pair of pink Doc Martens, (like Hannah wore) for my birthday when I was younger, paired with outrageously striped green knee-high socks. I think I savoured every page of her book too. I also used to grab a broom and do renditions in my garden of her songs for absolutely NO ONE, and every time I land in New York now as an adult, I reenact the line that Miley says when pitches up in Tennessee thinking she’s arrived in the Big Apple. All of that is to say: We love you Hannah.”
Scarlett, 28
Taylor Swift being… Taylor Swift
I will never forget watching Taylor Swift perform – as herself – in the Hannah Montana movie, and being so confused as to why she wasn’t able to raise enough money at the fundraiser. It was, perhaps, one of my first times thinking critically about a film. Big moment for my ten-year-old self.
Sophie, 27
The film’s opener
The chaos of Lily and Miley scrambling to get into the concert in The Hannah Montana Movie is honestly one of the most iconic Disney openings ever, just pure unhinged energy from the jump. And then kicking straight into You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home? Instant chills. Cinema, actually.
I’ve always loved the casting of Lucas Till as the love interest in the film, especially as he was also in Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me video (iykyk) and with Taylor herself cameoing in the film, it basically feels like an accidental early Hannah Montana – Taylor Swift cinematic universe. Iconic.
Jasmin, 25
The crossover episodes, specifically the Jonas Brothers one
My favourite memory is probably when there was a crossover episode with the Jonas Brothers because they were shows that were very important to me as a child. And this was probably the biggest Disney crossover – ever.
Summer, 22
The “You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home” scene
This song was a banger when I was a kid, but now I truly understand its meaning. There’s a difference between saying “I love this song” and realising you not only love it, but understand it. It gave me the courage to chase my dreams, to fly high and to live abroad – always trusting that I’d find my way back home. If Hannah could share her secret and live the best of both worlds, why couldn’t I? She thought me that we’re all allowed to have both – to grow, to explore, to become who we’re meant to be, without losing where we come from. It’s okay to live the life you want and to believe you don’t have to choose just one version of yourself our what people expect you to be.
Carolina, 28
The Hannah Montana school of life
The bone dance episode, still reference the song now and it got me through many a science exam. Thanks miley xoxox
Kitty, 29