Miley Cyrus Calls Podcast Host “Creepy” Neighbour at Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Bash
Hollywood buzzed with nostalgia as Miley Cyrus marked the 20th anniversary of her iconic Disney Channel sitcom, Hannah Montana. The star-studded event, held at the El Capitan Theatre, saw Cyrus playfully tease podcaster Alex Cooper, whom she affectionately, and perhaps a little cheekily, labelled a “superfan” and a “creepy” neighbour.
Cyrus, 33, who has evolved from a teen idol into a Grammy-winning artist, couldn’t resist a lighthearted jab at Cooper, 31, the host of the popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast. Cooper was tasked with hosting the anniversary special, a role she embraced with what Cyrus described as a slightly unsettling level of enthusiasm. The pop star recounted how Cooper “creepily” moved in next door to her, a mere stone’s throw away after interviewing Cyrus in her garden back in August 2020.
“I wanted to thank Alex myself because I was driving out to the archives to go look what I had collected,” Cyrus explained from the stage, referring to the vast collection of memorabilia from her career. “Some say hoarded but I say collected and preserved from every era and not just Hannah Montana but throughout my career.”
The idea for the anniversary special, Cyrus revealed, came to her as a “wild idea.” She approached Cooper with the proposition of creating a special to commemorate the beloved show. “Because I was in the middle of it and was Hannah, I didn’t know what you would all want,” she admitted. “Alex being a superfan… it’s kinda creepy… she is also my neighbour, which is also creepy. She got money and then moved next door to me.”
The Disney alum further elaborated on the serendipitous, albeit slightly peculiar, circumstances of Cooper’s involvement. “There was no other host, I was like I’ll just walk next door, yeah it was weird,” Cyrus quipped. “And she was like, ‘Oh my god you live here’ and she had interviewed me at my house five years ago so she knew where I was.”
The special aims to celebrate the show that followed Miley Stewart (Cyrus), a teenager navigating the complexities of high school while secretly living the life of a global pop sensation, Hannah Montana. The series, which also featured Cyrus’s real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus, aired for four seasons between 2006 and 2011, acting as a significant launchpad for Cyrus’s own musical career.
Scheduled to premiere on March 24, the anniversary special will be available for streaming on both Disney+ and Hulu. It promises to immerse fans in the show’s legacy with never-before-seen archival footage, performances of some of Hannah Montana’s most memorable songs, and appearances from Cyrus’s parents, Tish Cyrus and Billy Ray.
A Star-Studded Celebration
The red carpet was ablaze with celebrity attendees, showcasing a mix of family support and cast reunions. Miley Cyrus herself radiated happiness, sharing a rare public display of affection with her fiancé, Maxx Morando. The couple, who have been together for four years, looked smitten as they posed for photographers.
Cyrus paid a heartfelt tribute to her iconic character with her fashion choice. She donned a dazzling, sparkling metallic dress, layered over a graphic Hannah Montana T-shirt, completing the look with silver metallic stilettos and her signature blonde hair styled straight. Morando, a musician himself, opted for a more understated yet stylish ensemble, featuring a white Celine T-shirt, black trousers, and matching trainers. The couple’s romance reportedly began in late 2021, following Cyrus’s divorce from Liam Hemsworth.
Cyrus’s mother, Tish Cyrus, 58, was also present, making a statement in a sheer black top that highlighted her trim midriff, paired with a blazer and jeans. She was accompanied by her husband, Dominic Purcell, 56. Notably, reports have surfaced suggesting a prior connection between Purcell and Tish’s daughter, Noah Cyrus, before Purcell began his relationship with Tish.
The extended family was out in full force, with sister Brandi Cyrus, 38, making a stylish appearance in a black leather top and matching pants. Brandi’s boyfriend, Matt Southcombe, was also in attendance, as was Purcell’s son, Joseph Purcell, 26.
The event also brought together a significant portion of the show’s original cast, including:
- Jason Earles (Jackson Stewart)
- Moises Arias (Rico Suave)
- Cody Linley (Jake Ryan)
- Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (Ashley Dewitt)
- Shanica Knowles (Amber Addison)
An Absent Friend and Enduring Legacy
While many of the show’s stars were present to celebrate, Emily Osment, who portrayed Cyrus’s best friend Lilly Truscott, was notably absent. Osment took to Instagram to explain her inability to attend, sharing a video of herself on the set of her current CBS sitcom, “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage.”
“And that’s why I was not able to be part of the 20 year reunion because we are here shooting our show,” Osment stated in her video. “But I wanted to say hello and thank you to everybody that has stuck by us for all these years. I’m so grateful that you guys all still love this show. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
In her accompanying caption, Osment expressed the profound impact Hannah Montana had on her career and personal growth. “Hannah Montana changed my life, it gave me a lifelong respect for this medium of comedy, it taught me discipline, patience, timing and respect working in an adult space so young,” she wrote. She acknowledged the enduring connection with fans, many of whom now have children watching the show, and even highlighted a colleague, Montana Jordan, who is a devoted fan.
Osment concluded her heartfelt message with deep gratitude: “I can’t tell you what your sweet messages mean to me and how lucky I feel to have been apart of this once in a generation goliath of a television show. Thank you for letting me into your living rooms and I hope to still be there many years from now. Would never be where I am without you guys, working on another beautiful show I love so dearly. With all my heart, THANK YOU! ♥️ Lilly.”
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special is poised to be a nostalgic journey, honouring the series that “defined a generation” two decades after its initial Disney Channel debut. The interview segment is expected to offer an “intimate look at the creation of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters and the lasting impact the show and character have had on fans around the world.”
Fans can anticipate Cyrus revisiting the show’s music and iconic moments, with even some of the original sets, including Hannah Montana’s closet and the Stewart family living room, being brought back to life. Disney has also promised a treasure trove of never-before-seen footage.
Reflecting on the show’s enduring appeal, Cyrus shared in a statement: “Hannah Montana will always be a part of who I am. What started as a TV show became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I’ll always be thankful for that connection.” She added, “The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”
