On August 11, 2024, Miley Cyrus made history by becoming the youngest Disney Legend ever!

The Walt Disney Company awards the Disney Legends Hall of Fame honor to individuals who have “made a significant impact on the Disney legacy.” Established in 1987, the award was originally presented annually at a private ceremony but has been given every two years since 2009 at Disney’s D23 Expo.

And superstar Miley Cyrus was just one of this year’s honorees, alongside icons like Angela Bassett, Harrison Ford, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

In addition to receiving an award statuette, each honoree gets a bronze plaque with their handprints and signature. These plaques are then displayed in Legends Plaza at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.

It’s a pretty special award for those who have made children’s hopes and dreams come alive through the stories they watched on screen!

Miley Cyrus first captured our hearts as Miley Stewart on the popular Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana.”

The show, which revolved around a girl living a double life as a pop star, aired from 2006 to 2011. To this day, “Hannah Montana” remains one of Disney Channel’s most successful franchises.

Fun fact: while juggling her acting career, Miley also released several hit songs both as herself and as Hannah!

This year’s Disney Legend ceremony celebrated each honoree with heartfelt video tributes and an on-stage presentation.

Miley’s tribute featured messages from some big names like John Travolta and Bret Michaels. But the spotlight shone brightest on country star Lainey Wilson. Lainey actually has a fun connection to Miley.

At just 16, Lainey Wilson began her career as a “Hannah Montana” impersonator—how’s that for a full circle moment?

Lainey took the stage to perform the iconic theme song from Hannah Montana, “Best Of Both Worlds.”

It was pretty much the perfect way to celebrate Miley after her career on Disney!

Before her performance, Lainey acknowledged Miley in the audience, expressing how much of an honor it was to to be there for her.

“Miley, you might not know this but I am truly one of your biggest fans. My very first job was taking my portable sound system, a wig, and fifteen tracks I learned from front to back to impersonate ‘Hannah Montana’…You inspired me to believe in myself. That I too can be an ordinary girl living in an extraordinary world, So, on behalf of Miley Cyrus fans everywhere, I’d like to dedicate this song to you.”

After the exciting night, Lainey shared a post on social media with multiple photos and video from her performance. She even included a side-by-side image of the “Hannah Montana” outfit that inspired her fun wardrobe for the night!

“I got the best of both worlds that’s for sure. From performing as ‘Hannah Montana’ on flat bed trailers at birthday parties to honoring the legend herself…now that right there is what ya call a full circle moment,” Lainey wrote.

Check out the video below to see Lainey in action as “Hannah Montana!”

@laineywilson Told y’all.. every now and then, they’d let me open for #hannahmontana! 😂 #music #fyp #foryou #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Lainey Wilson

Lainey concluded her post by sharing:

“[Miley Cyrus] you’re such an inspiration. Thank you for letting me honor you. Still pinching myself about last night.”

 

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A post shared by Lainey Wilson (@laineywilson)

What a special night! Watch Lainey’s performance of “Best Of Both Worlds” below.