Miley Cyrus Had Some Arthritic Competition For Hannah Montana

Miley Cyrus rose to fame when she played the teenage pop star, Hannah Montana, on Disney Channel from 2006 to 2011. Through the years, fans have been aware of the singer’s struggles following the show’s end. Her dad Billy Ray Cyrus even said that it created conflict in their family at one point.

But looking back, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing Hannah Montana. So fans were surprised when the show’s casting director revealed that they shortlisted two other actresses for the role.

Who Are The Two Other Actresses?

There have been rumors that singer Belinda, who starred in The Cheetah Girls 2, almost played Hannah Montana. But according to the show’s original casting director, Lisa London, the Spanish-Mexican performer didn’t come close to getting the part.

Then she revealed that Gossip Girl alum Taylor Momsen and Daniella Monet from Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101 and Victorious were the other top picks for the role.

She discovered Miley Cyrus, London recalled in a TikTok video. She wanted to let everyone know that Belinda was lovely but was never in the top 3 for the role of Hannah. She also noted that before casting Cyrus, the character was initially called Chloe rather than Miley Stewart.

Miley Cyrus Dealt With Identity Crisis After Playing

In March 2021, Cyrus reflected on her time in Hannah Montana to commemorate its 15th anniversary. Although you are considered an ‘alter ego’ in reality, there was a time in my life when you held more of my identity in your glovette than I did in my bare hands, the Wrecking Ball singer wrote in a letter to her character.

We had an exchange in which you provided an excessive amount of fame in return for the anonymity I could gift to you. But a lot has changed since then.

Before posting the two-page letter, Cyrus said in an interview with the Rock This podcast that playing Hannah gave her an identity crisis. She confessed that it was drilled into her head without being Hannah Montana; no one cares about you. That was the concept. I had to break that.

Miley Opened Up About Losing His Grandfather

She also opened up about losing his grandfather early in the filming of the series. She lost her pappy, her dad’s father, while on set filming an early episode of season 1, she recounted.

He wanted to close on long enough to catch the premiere in March. He passed away on February 28th, she continued. He did get to see the commercial that ran to High School Musical, which he claimed was one of the proudest moments in his lifetime, and he was a badass Democratic state legislator; my heart was broken but fulfilled to know I could carry his name beside my dad’s through every credit.

In her letter, she described Hannah Montana as this rocket that flew me to the moon and never brought me back down. She also expressed her gratitude for that experience despite its challenges.

It was bittersweet to know I would leave you behind in Stage 9, where I say I grew up; when asked, Cyrus continued. Hannah, I hope you hear me and believe those words are true. You have all my love and utmost gratitude. Breathing life into you for those six years was an honor.

During a virtual presence on the Carolina With Greg T In The Morning, the Angels Like You performer was asked if she’d do a reboot of Hannah Montana.

Also Read: In a new interview, Natalia Dyer reveals how she ended up getting cast in Hannah Montana: The Movie

You know what, honestly, she tries to put that wig on all the time, she responded. She is in storage collecting dust, and I’m ready to whip her out. The opportunity will present itself.

Cyrus added that she definitely would like to resurrect her at some point but needs a big makeover because she’s kind of stuck in 2008, so we’ll need to go shopping with Miss Montana.

Parvathi

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