One distinct blonde-banged wig. A new voice. Styled with glitter scarves, sequenced belts, fun outfits, and matching heels. The mid-to-late 2000s were dominated by one thirteen-year-old girl, Hannah Montana, played by Miley Cyrus. As the daughter of legendary country singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley established herself as a force. It was her natural charisma and raw talent that set her up for success. Cyrus got her start on the Disney Channel hit television show Hannah Montana, which followed a pop star living a double life as a regular girl. Cyrus could act, sing, and perform. Disney struck gold with her. The legacy that Hannah Montana left behind is an astronomical cultural phenomenon. In five years’ time, Hannah Montana released four studio albums and four seasons of their show. Hannah expanded upon all factors of entertainment, from performing to creating fan culture to uncovering merchandise marketing. Hannah Montana became a billion-dollar franchise for Disney. As Hannah Montana, Cyrus set the standard for international pop star status, and she opened the door of opportunity for the next generation of talent.
Hannah Montana first aired on March 24th, 2006, and it became the foundation to Cyrus’ career, allowing her to seamlessly transition from acting into music. Today, Hannah Montana has over 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, despite the show ending in 2011. In recognition of the 20 year Hannah Montana anniversary, the Hannah-versary, Hannah has returned for a Disney+ special. The special kicks off with an overview shot of the well-loved beach house as the introduction of “Rock Star” starts. Our first shot of adult Hannah is her making her way over to the stage lift. She’s officially back. Fans can be heard chanting in anticipation as “The Best of Both Worlds” begins. As Hannah rises to the stage, there is a new sense of reclamation. Once the first note is sung, a strong sense of nostalgia takes over. This performance is joyful and fun. Mixed with choreography and vocal maturity that comes naturally with aging. It’s a new Hannah. The special was nostalgic as Cyrus reminisced over growing up as Hannah. The special was on the shorter side, only an hour long; naturally, it felt rushed. The interview questions were surface-level, which any longtime fan could have answered. However, it was sweet to see how freely Hannah answered. There were surprise visits by Selena Gomez, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Grammy award winner Chappell Roan. Chappell thanks Hannah for influencing her. It’s known that other stars, like Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter, have credited Hannah for inspiring them to pursue music. Hannah created space for teen angst, pop, and rock music. Hannah performs a beautiful rendition of “This Is The Life” into “The Climb.” Two well-loved songs about embracing where you are and the journey it took to get there. She performs the songs in their original keys and notes, but the performances feel different when sung by adult Hannah.
Cyrus is known for having a deep, raspy voice. Hannah’s teen voice is gone and has been replaced by a soulful tone. This performance is interactively dreamy. Once that last guitar strum is heard in “This Is The Life,” the piano for “The Climb” begins as a spotlight shines on Hannah. It’s the original song, with a few note changes and subtle quick pauses. Hannah’s hairography added emphasis to the song’s message that life is all about the journey. Hannah has proudly embraced her journey at that moment. The most shocking surprise was the performance of “Younger You.” It’s a new, beautiful ballad that questions who you, the listener, have become. It’s made up of guitar strings, the harp, and the piano. It’s soft. The song sets the listener up to reflect on how their childlike self could be feeling. Hannah sang while a montage projection of her younger self played behind her. A goodbye to a loved childhood memory. As Hannah, Miley Cyrus created new culture and spaces around popular music. She was the childhood of millions. This special recognized Miley’s bond with her fans and how everyone grew up together. She was right, we’ll always find our way back home.
- Amanda Solis
