An Emotional Miley Cyrus Revisits Hannah Montana Casting After Being Named Youngest Disney Legend

Hannah Montana headliner turned pop star Miley Cyrus got emotional on Sunday night after becoming the youngest person ever to have Disney Legend status bestowed upon them.

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Cyrus, 31, was one of 14 people to join the ranks of Disney Legend at this year’s D23 fan event, alongside the likes of Harrison Ford, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kelly Ripa, Angela Bassett, composer John Williams, puppeteer Frank Oz and others.

“In my heart, I was Hannah Montana. And I was so proud to be,” Cyrus said on stage, fighting back tears as she reflected on her run on the four-season Disney Channel comedy, that aired March 2006 and January 2011.

Cyrus’ speech, embedded below, included the story of how she was at first passed over for Hannah Montana ‘s title role because she was “too small” at the time. But after the pilot was fully cast and shot with someone else, to mixed results, she was invited to throw her hat back into the ring.

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One bedazzled “I Should Have My Own TV Show” t-shirt and audition later, she became a rising Disney queen — and eventual Legend.

“I stand here proud to have been Hannah Montana because she made Miley in so many ways,” Cyrus asserted. “This award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her loyal, amazing fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality.

“To quote the legend herself, ‘This is the life,’ Cyrus said in closing, name-checking one of Hannah’s Radio Disney hits.

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