What Happened to the Hannah Montana Cast? Where They Are Now

Twenty years after Hannah Montana premiered, Miley Cyrus and her former co-stars have taken very different paths—from Grammy-winning music careers to primetime television, filmmaking and life away from the spotlight.

August 11, 2026: Twenty years ago, Miley Stewart was trying to balance homework, friendships and a secret life as pop star Hannah Montana. Today, the Disney Channel series is no longer simply a nostalgic favorite—it has become one of the defining shows of the 2000s.

Hannah Montana premiered on March 24, 2006, and ran for four seasons before ending in 2011. The series also produced Hannah Montana: The Movie, concert tours and a successful soundtrack franchise. Two decades later, Disney celebrated the show’s legacy with the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, bringing Miley Cyrus back to the world that launched her career.

But what happened to the rest of the cast?

HOLR breaks down where the stars of Hannah Montana are now and how their careers have changed since leaving Malibu behind.

Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana

It is almost impossible to talk about Hannah Montana without starting with Miley Cyrus.

Cyrus was just 13 when the series premiered. She played Miley Stewart, a teenager who secretly performed as the pop superstar Hannah Montana. The role quickly transformed her from a Disney newcomer into an international star.

After Hannah Montana ended, Cyrus worked to establish herself outside the Disney image. She continued releasing music, experimented with different sounds and styles, and eventually became one of pop music’s biggest names.

Her career has included multiple chart-topping albums, major tours, acting projects and Grammy wins. She was also named a Disney Legend in 2024, becoming the youngest person to receive the honor at the time.

In 2026, Cyrus returned to her Disney roots for the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special. The Disney+ special features an in-depth conversation with Alex Cooper, archival material and appearances connected to the show’s legacy.

For Cyrus, Hannah Montana is clearly still an important part of her story—even after everything she has accomplished since.

Emily Osment as Lilly Truscott

Emily Osment played Lilly Truscott, Miley’s best friend and one of the show’s most important characters.

After Hannah Montana, Osment continued building a television career. She starred in the Freeform comedy Young & Hungry and later joined the cast of Young Sheldon as Mandy McAllister.

Her connection to television has continued into 2026. Osment stars alongside Montana Jordan in CBS’ Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the Young Sheldon spinoff. The show’s third season is scheduled to return on CBS on October 8, 2026.

Interestingly, Osment was absent from the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special. Her ongoing work on Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage was a factor in her not participating in the anniversary celebration.

Still, Osment has remained one of the cast members with a steady presence on television.

Jason Earles as Jackson Stewart

Jason Earles played Miley’s older brother, Jackson Stewart.

One of the show’s most memorable comedic characters, Jackson was known for his schemes, awkward moments and constant attempts to make money.

After Hannah Montana, Earles continued working in television and with Disney. He appeared in projects including High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and continued developing his career behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera.

In 2026, Earles also became part of the Hannah Montana nostalgia conversation through his “Best of Both Our Worlds” rewatch podcast, revisiting the Disney series and memories from the era.

His continued connection to the show has given longtime fans another way to revisit the series through the perspective of someone who was actually there.

Mitchel Musso as Oliver Oken

Mitchel Musso played Oliver Oken, Lilly’s boyfriend and Miley’s best friend.

After the show ended, Musso continued acting and voice work, including his Disney XD series Pair of Kings and other projects. However, he eventually stepped away from Hollywood’s mainstream spotlight.

His absence from the 20th anniversary special became a topic of conversation in 2026.

In June, Musso explained that he had been invited but chose not to participate because he did not feel the project was presented in the way he wanted. He said he would have preferred a scripted Hannah Montana reunion episode or movie that brought the characters back together.

Musso’s comments were significant because they showed that he was not simply unaware of the anniversary celebration. He had made a conscious decision about participating.

For fans hoping to see Oliver again, his comments also left the door open to the idea of returning for a more traditional fictional reunion.

Billy Ray Cyrus as Robby Ray Stewart

Billy Ray Cyrus played Robby Ray Stewart, Miley’s father and Hannah Montana’s manager.

The casting had an extra layer of authenticity because Cyrus was Miley’s real-life father.

After Hannah Montana, Billy Ray continued his music career while also appearing in television and entertainment projects. His career experienced another major pop-culture moment when he appeared on Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” remix.

In 2026, he surprised viewers by appearing on The Masked Singer Season 14 as the Owl. He was eventually unmasked as the Grammy-winning country singer.

Billy Ray also appeared in the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, where his connection with Miley became one of the more emotional parts of the celebration.

Their shared history remains one of the most important parts of the show’s legacy.

Moisés Arias as Rico Suave

Moisés Arias played Rico Suave, the young manager of Rico’s Surf Shop who regularly caused trouble for Jackson.

Arias has taken a more varied route since his Disney days.

Rather than remaining associated primarily with children’s television, he has built credits across film and television, including more dramatic and independent projects. His recent work includes an appearance in Fallout Season 2, while additional film projects have been reported as being in development or post-production.

Arias also attended the 20th anniversary celebration, giving fans an opportunity to see one of the show’s most recognizable supporting characters back in the Hannah Montana orbit.

Cody Linley as Jake Ryan

Cody Linley played Jake Ryan, Miley’s on-and-off boyfriend and a teenage actor within the show’s fictional world.

Linley was already acting before Hannah Montana, with credits including Cheaper by the Dozen and its sequel. During the show’s run, he also competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2008.

In the years since, Linley has continued acting while also exploring directing and producing.

He has remained connected to the Hannah Montana fanbase and appeared in the 2026 anniversary celebration. For many viewers, seeing Jake Ryan again was a reminder of just how much the show’s cast has grown since those early Disney Channel years.

What Does the Hannah Montana Reunion Mean for the Cast?

The 20th anniversary has given the former cast a chance to reflect on a series that shaped an entire generation.

The anniversary special premiered on Disney+ on March 24, 2026, exactly 20 years after the original series debuted. It focuses primarily on Cyrus and her experience with the character, while also celebrating the wider cultural impact of Hannah Montana.

Not everyone returned, and that is part of the story, too.

Osment was absent because of her ongoing television commitments, while Musso later explained why he declined the opportunity. Other former cast members, including Earles, Arias and Linley, participated in the anniversary festivities.

That mix of appearances and absences reflects how different the cast’s lives have become.

Where Is the Hannah Montana Cast Now?

The biggest surprise about the Hannah Montana cast may be how differently their careers developed.

Miley Cyrus became a Grammy-winning global pop star.

Emily Osment built a successful television career and remains a series regular on a CBS sitcom.

Jason Earles continued acting and expanded into coaching and podcasting.

Mitchel Musso moved away from mainstream Hollywood but recently opened up about his relationship with the show’s anniversary.

Billy Ray Cyrus continued his music career and returned to television competition.

Moisés Arias developed a broader film and television résumé.

Cody Linley expanded beyond acting into directing and producing.

Twenty years later, they are no longer simply the teenagers and parents from a Disney Channel sitcom. They have built lives and careers that look very different from the world of Miley Stewart.

Hannah Montana Still Has a Place in Pop Culture

What makes Hannah Montana unusual is that its influence has lasted well beyond its original run.

The series helped launch Miley Cyrus, introduced audiences to a memorable group of young performers and became a defining part of Disney Channel’s 2000s era.

The 2026 anniversary celebration proves that the nostalgia is still strong. Cyrus herself has described Hannah as an important part of who she became, while Disney continues to recognize the character’s cultural impact.

For fans who grew up watching the series, the appeal is not simply about remembering old episodes.

It is about remembering a time when the cast was young, the story felt new and the idea of having a secret pop-star identity seemed completely possible.

HOLR breaks down where the Hannah Montana cast is now, and one thing is clear: the show may have ended in 2011, but its stars—and the memories they created—have continued to evolve.

FAQs

When did Hannah Montana premiere?

Hannah Montana premiered on Disney Channel on March 24, 2006.

What happened to Miley Cyrus after Hannah Montana?

Miley Cyrus became a major recording artist, actress and Grammy winner. She was also named a Disney Legend in 2024 and returned for the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special in 2026.

Is Emily Osment still acting?

Yes. Emily Osment continues to act and currently stars as Mandy in CBS’ Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

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