Miley Cyrus, 31, made history on Sunday, August 11 as the youngest person named a Disney Legend. Those who have had a major influence on the business are given this esteemed prize.
Overwhelmed by the adoration of the audience, the former ‘Hannah Montana’ star started crying on stage during a D23 event in Anaheim, California. Cyrus said she had written two speeches: a shorter one should nerves get the best of her and one longer, for the “badass” image she is known for. She thought back to the early 2005 days of ‘Hannah Montana’, and jokingly pointed out that she wasn’t “created in a lab” as a Disney child.
Looking back on her path, Cyrus said she never wanted anything else after she tasted what her life could be, even if she was not originally cast in the part. She expressed her delight in having performed Hannah Montana and added, “A lot has changed, yet at the same time, nothing has changed, at least not very much.”
Quoting Hannah herself, “This is the life,” she dedicated the honor to her legendary character and the supporters who brought her aspirations to pass. Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, commended Cyrus in a news statement pointing out that the Disney Legend designation is the greatest award the corporation has.
First starring as Hannah Montana in 2006, Cyrus’s program became a huge hit for four seasons. Her career’s most defining feature still is her role, and she has hinted at the prospect of bringing Hannah back alive in the future.
