“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 the show. I’m so proud to be a part of it,” said Emily Osment in a heartfelt message to fans regarding her absence from the ‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’.
The special, which premiered on March 24, 2026, marked two decades since the original ‘Hannah Montana’ series debuted on March 24, 2006. Osment, who played the beloved character Lilly Truscott, was unable to attend due to her commitments filming the CBS sitcom ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’.
Reflecting on her time with ‘Hannah Montana’, Osment stated, “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.” Her sentiments were echoed by co-star Mitchel Musso, who also missed the special but took to social media to express his appreciation for the show’s fans.
The anniversary special featured Miley Cyrus performing fan-favorite tracks from the series, alongside a surprise appearance from Selena Gomez, delighting viewers and rekindling nostalgia for the iconic show.
Osment shared a video on Instagram explaining her absence, where she also expressed her gratitude: “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.”
At just 14 years old when ‘Hannah Montana’ first premiered, Osment’s journey reflects the profound impact the series had on her life and career. She emphasized the importance of the show’s legacy, noting, “The coolest part of the ‘Hannah Montana’ legacy is seeing fans building families and passing on the show to their kids.”
The ‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ is now available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, allowing fans to celebrate the show’s enduring legacy.