Miley Cyrus recently revealed that she wasn't permitted to perform songs from her "Hannah Montana" days after she departed from Disney. The singer opened up about this restriction during an appearance on The Ringer podcast, explaining that despite the songs featuring her voice and image, she was prohibited from singing them publicly.
Cyrus rose to prominence as the star of the Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana," which aired from 2006 to 2011. On the show, she played a teenager leading a dual life as a regular girl and a famous pop star. During that time, she released multiple "Hannah Montana" albums, as well as solo albums under Disney's Hollywood Records.
According to Cyrus, the inability to perform these songs post-Disney was disheartening. While she admitted that incorporating "Hannah Montana" tracks like "The Best of Both Worlds" into her sets alongside hits like "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball" wouldn't have made much sense musically, she still felt a sense of sadness knowing she was barred from performing songs so closely tied to her identity and career beginnings. "It was still sad knowing those songs have my voice, my face, and I wasn't allowed to sing them," Cyrus stated.
However, the situation changed in August 2024 when Cyrus was honored as a Disney Legend at D23. This recognition, bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy, came with a special perk: Cyrus was granted permission to perform her "Hannah Montana" songs once again. "After being inducted as a Disney Legend, I was given permission to perform those songs in the future, which is pretty cool," she shared.
Being named a Disney Legend seems to have unlocked a sense of freedom and nostalgia for Cyrus, opening the door for her to reconnect with a significant part of her past. This has sparked speculation among fans about a potential "Hannah Montana" revival or a nostalgic comeback, perhaps even a "Miley's Version" of the iconic songs.
Cyrus' journey from teen idol to a multifaceted music superstar has been well-documented. After her time with Disney, she transitioned to RCA Records and released her groundbreaking album "Bangerz" in 2013, solidifying her place in the pop landscape. Now, with the ability to revisit her "Hannah Montana" era, Cyrus has the opportunity to bridge the gap between her past and present, offering fans a taste of the music that started it all while celebrating her evolution as an artist.