Miley Cyrus named Youngest Disney Legend at 31

Miley Cyrus, fresh off her first Grammy win, has been named a Disney Legend.

According to a report on Variety, the honor was announced during a star-studded ceremony at the D23 Expo in Anaheim on Sunday night. Lainey Wilson kicked off the tribute by performing the iconic “Hannah Montana” theme song, "The Best of Both Worlds." Following her performance, Wilson praised Cyrus for her fearless individuality and relentless drive, saying, “Miley, I want to thank you for never being afraid to step outside the box, always staying true to yourself, and most importantly, always kicking butt.”

In an emotional acceptance speech, Cyrus shared a candid moment with the audience. "I’m gonna let everybody in on a little Disney Legend secret. Legends get scared, too. I’m scared right now, but the difference is we do it anyway, and all of you can do that every single day. It’s legendary to be afraid and do it anyway. There is no such thing as failure when you try,” she said, wiping away tears.

Cyrus reminisced about her early days with Disney, recalling her casting in "Hannah Montana" and the company's efforts to reinvent itself in 2005. “Disney was on a mission to rebuild the company. That’s why they hired Bob Iger, and me,” she said with a laugh.

Standing proud of her past, Cyrus dedicated the award to her beloved character Hannah Montana and her loyal fans. "This 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,’” she added, referencing the hit “Hannah Montana” song.

At 31, Cyrus is the youngest person ever to receive the Disney Legend title. The ceremony also honored other notable figures, including costume designer Colleen Atwood, actress Angela Bassett, and filmmaker James Cameron.

Cyrus’ journey with Disney began in her tween years when she starred in "Hannah Montana," a series that became a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions of viewers and propelling her to stardom. She later voiced Penny in Disney’s "Bolt" and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her song “I Thought I Lost You.”

Over the years, Cyrus transitioned from her Disney image with hits like “Wrecking Ball” and “Malibu,” but recently returned to her roots with the Disney+ documentary concert special “Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions).”

[Information sourced from Variety]