As Miley Cyrus is voted youngest legend, she sobs and says, I’m standing here proud to be Hannah Montana
Life’s a climb — but the view sure is great. Just ask Miley Cyrus!
On Sunday, Aug. 11, the Hannah Montana alum, 31, made history as the youngest person ever to be named a Disney Legend, an honor bestowed on individuals who have significantly influenced the company.
Standing onstage ahead of her speech at a D23 event in Anaheim, California, Cyrus teared up as the audience roared with applause for her.
She then detailed that she wrote two speeches — «one long, [for] the badass I’m supposed to be, and one short, if I get scared» — before she recalled the beginnings of Hannah Montana in 2005, when she joked she «definitely wasn’t created in a lab» as a «Disney kid.»
After going through the behind-the-scenes process of how Hannah Montana came to be, even detailing that she wasn’t initially cast in the role,
Cyrus said, «I had gotten a taste of what my life could be, and from that moment on, I did not want anything else.»
«A little bit of everything has changed, … but at the same time, nothing has changed at all,» she continued. «I stand here, still proud to have been Hannah Montana.»
Cyrus added: «In so many ways, his award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing loyal fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality. To quote the legend herself, ‘This is the life.’ »
Bob Iger, the Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, previously praised Cyrus ahead of her honor in a press release.
“To be named a Disney Legend is the highest honor our company can bestow on anyone, reserved for those whose talent and achievement have earned them an enduring place in our history,» he said.
“The fourteen individuals to be honored as Disney Legends this year have each made extraordinary creative contributions across the worlds of Disney and we look forward to celebrating them at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.”
More honorees at the event included Angela Bassett, Colleen Atwood, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde and John Williams.
