“Sorry, Mickey”: Check out Miley Cyrus’ full speech at D23

The singer Miley Cyrus 31, became the youngest artist to receive the title of Disney Legend in a tribute held during D23, on Sunday night (11). The status is granted to personalities who had “a significant impact” on the company’s legacy. At the event for Disney fans, the pop star celebrated her legacy as Hannah Montana, in addition to apologizing for her “rebellious” period.

Miley Cyrus took to the stage and became emotional as she gave a speech in which she reflected on how she landed the role on the Disney Channel, which changed her life and catapulted her to fame.

“Before we get started, I’m going to let you in on a little Disney legend secret. I’m the one who tells you what you’re not supposed to know. And what I mean is that legends get scared too. I’m scared now, but the difference is that we do it anyway, and you all can do it every day. It’s legendary to be scared and do it anyway. There’s no failure when you try,” Miley said as she accepted the award.

Watch Miley Cyrus’ full speech

“So here I am. I’ll show you guys; I gave two speeches: a long one if I’m the badass I’m supposed to be, and a short one if I’m scared. So I want to say thank you. It’s an honor to receive this award. My other legends said it best: It’s all because of you, everyone in this room, outside this room. It’s all about the fans.”

In 2005, Disney was on a mission to rebuild and reinvent the company. That’s why they hired Bob Iger and me. I remember it vividly because it was during the Hannah Montana audition process. There was a buzz in that Disney office where rumor has it that they create all of us Disney kids. I definitely wasn’t created in a lab, and if I was, There must have been a bug in the system that caused my malfunction somewhere between the years 2013 and 2016. Sorry, Mickey!

I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, which is where I sent in my audition tapes. After those tapes were sent in, my mom got a message saying that what I said was great, but I was too small and young for the role. A year or so goes by and I forget all about Hannah Montana. But then we get a call and they tell us that they’ve completely cast the show, they’ve already shot a pilot, but it’s just not working out.

So they want me to go to Los Angeles and take the test in person. My mom tells me the news, but reiterates that if I pass, I will have to leave school and all my friends.

We went to the mall to buy what I would wear to the audition, and in true fateful style, there was a T-shirt hanging there that said, ‘I should have my own TV show.’ So we took it home, decorated it, and flew to L.A. After a few of those audition trips, I got the part.

I came to California to shoot the pilot, and I fell in love with Los Angeles: the beach, the palm trees, it was incredible. But it was the soundstage that I lived on. I mean, it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. There were lights, dressing rooms, coat racks, costume and wig fittings, acting, dancing, singing lessons. It was like being on RuPaul’s Drag Race Junior . We shot the pilot, went back to Nashville to wait, but I had already gotten a taste of what my life could be like, and from that moment on, I wanted nothing more.

Since Hannah Montana is a pop star, we needed footage of her performing at sold-out shows, but no one knew who she, aka Miley, was.

They gave me tickets to the Glendale Mall, where I would have my first free concert. And the first song I opened was called ‘This Is the Life.’ Which, of course, nobody knew because in reality, I was a little girl in a blonde wig at the mall with a big dream, but in my heart, I was Hannah Montana. And I was so proud to be that.

A little bit of everything has changed since that day. But at the same time, nothing has changed. I’m still here proud to have been Hannah Montana because she did Miley in so many ways . This award is dedicated to Hannah and all her incredible and loyal fans, and to everyone who made my dream come true.”

Miley Cyrus full speech at Disney Legends

“I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana because she made Miley in so many ways” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/BFtwv2BeTQ

—MileyUpdates | Fan Account (@MileyUpdates) August 12, 2024

In tribute to Cyrus, country singer Lainey Wilson also sang “The Best of Both Worlds” opening song for the series “Hannah Montana”.

Miley Cyrus starred in the series “Hannah Montana” for five years. The show was responsible for launching the artist into the entertainment industry. Daughter of singer Billy Ray, they played father and daughter in the series.