Miley Cyrus created history as she turned out to be the youngest-ever artist to have been a recipient of the Disney Legend honor. The award was presented at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, honoring her for her invaluable contributions to the legacy of Disney.
The praise recognizes Cyrus’s career, which catapulted to fame with her iconic role as Hannah Montana, and the ceremony is a dedication to her lasting impact on Disney, making her one of the major players in the modern era.
A Star-Studded Tribute-
The evening featured a live performance by Lainey Wilson, who got the crowd in charge with her performance of the hit song “The Best of Both Worlds” from the ‘Hannah Montana’ show. However, before stepping out on stage, her introduction to Cyrus was genuinely an appreciation for the young lady’s valor and self-authenticity when she said, “Miley, thank you for always being true to yourself and for kicking butt.”.
She spoke about her personal experiences and challenges, which reflect her fears of success, in her speech while accepting the award. “Legends get scared too,” she confessed. “The difference is that we do it anyway. There is no such thing as failure when you try.”
Cyrus light-heartedly shared her memories of the fledgling days with Disney, saying, “In 2005, Disney was on a mission to rebuild the company. That is why they hired Bob Iger and me.” She dedicated her award to the great Hannah Montana and the real fans that made her star status possible: “This award is for Hannah and all of her amazing fans. To quote her, ‘This is the life'”—referencing the show’s iconic song.
Disney Legends Honored-
Other honorees for this year’s D23 Expo include costume designer Colleen Atwood, actress Angela Bassett, Disney Parks cast member Martha Blanding, and filmmaker James Cameron. The Disney Legends Award is your ticket into the storied history of Disney, which serves to acknowledge people who have made huge contributions.
The Disney Legacy of Cyrus-
Cyrus’s relationship with Disney began in her teens with the hugely popular ‘Hannah Montana’ series. It was a cultural phenomenon that spawned a very successful world tour and a feature film. The impact was deep, with a 2007 episode setting the record for the highest-rated basic cable series telecast with 10.7 million viewers.
In addition to this work on ‘Hannah Montana’, Cyrus voiced Penny in Disney’s ‘Bolt’ and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her song from the film. Even with changing musical directions, which included the songs “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball,” she came back with a nod to those Disney roots in the 2023 Disney+ special, Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions).
The Disney Legend recognition epitomizes Cyrus’s place in the rich legacy of the Walt Disney Company, primarily as she continues to impact the entertainment and pop culture world.
ANI
