Miley Cyrus Reveals Favorite ‘Hannah Montana’ Episode, Her Dream Cover Song and Advice for Younger Self: ‘Be Present Enough to Remember’

Hollywood is preparing to bestow a major honor upon Miley Cyrus. On May 22, the Grammy-winning artist, who first captured the public's imagination as a Disney Channel child star, will be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This recognition arrives shortly after the 20th-anniversary special of "Hannah Montana," a show that catapulted her to global fame. During that special, Cyrus reprised her role as the fictional pop sensation, performing iconic tracks like "The Best of Both Worlds" and "The Climb," and sharing an emotional reunion with her father, country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus. The pair discussed how the series fundamentally altered her life's trajectory, propelling her toward becoming one of the most acclaimed artists of her generation. Industry analyst Sarah Jenkins notes, "Cyrus's ability to pivot from a tightly controlled Disney persona to a boundary-pushing adult artist is a textbook case of successful brand reinvention."

Prior to the Disney+ special's release, Cyrus graced the cover of Variety and took part in an extensive interview. She addressed her choice to reconnect with the show that defined her early career, the intense public scrutiny she endured as a teenager, and the possibility of headlining the Super Bowl halftime show—her response was a noncommittal "maybe." As is typical with such cover features, not all material made it into the final published piece. Now, to mark her upcoming Walk of Fame ceremony, some of those additional insights are being revealed. Among them, Cyrus disclosed that her favorite "Hannah Montana" episodes were those featuring Dolly Parton, explaining that those on-screen collaborations helped forge their deep, real-world bond. Parton, a godmother figure to Cyrus and a country music legend in her own right, has long been a source of personal and professional guidance. Cyrus also fondly remembered playing the villainous cousin Luann, joking that she delighted in adding yet another character to her already crowded repertoire.

When questioned about cover songs she would like to attempt, Cyrus singled out George Michael's "Father Figure." She stated that she finds herself unable to stop listening to the track and believes performing it from a female viewpoint would be compelling. Her criteria for a great cover are twofold: she seeks a song she wishes she had written herself—one that ignites a sense of creative envy—and she considers the emotion it stirs and whether she wants to share that feeling with an audience. Growing up on tour with her father, a fixture in the country music scene, made the entertainment industry feel instinctive and comfortable to Cyrus. She never felt alien in Los Angeles, and while many expected her to be awestruck, she maintains she was less infatuated with Hollywood than most assumed. This grounded outlook, she believes, was crucial in helping her manage the whirlwind of fame that followed "Hannah Montana."

Looking back, Cyrus emphasized the value of being present when offering advice to her younger self. She confessed that early in her career, she often rushed through experiences, constantly planning her next step without savoring the moment. Now, she makes deliberate choices and commits to fewer projects so she can fully immerse herself in each one. She described mentally bookmarking significant moments, such as standing at the Grammys and seeing Oprah Winfrey, telling herself not to forget such landmarks. For her alter ego Hannah Montana, Cyrus offered a different kind of counsel: ditch the cheap Season 1 wig and push Disney for higher quality. More profoundly, she said she would want Hannah to understand the depth of her influence. "Hannah was like Mickey Mouse in her own way—she made people feel like they got this little piece of magic," Cyrus observed. She stressed that the true magic originates from within, not from the wig, boots, or music. This reflection highlights a recurring theme in her career: the tension between manufactured pop stardom and authentic artistic expression.

On a lighter note, Cyrus shared some personal quirks. As a Sagittarius, she described herself as a "logical wild card," someone who enjoys bold moves but approaches them with careful calculation. She values knowing what she wants before making decisions, yet acknowledges that her plans can shift overnight. "I like to be reliably unpredictable," she said. This blend of spontaneity and thoughtfulness has defined her career, from her Disney roots to her Grammy-winning status as an artist who has sold over 100 million records worldwide. With her Walk of Fame star now on the horizon, Cyrus continues to evolve, balancing nostalgia for her past with a clear-eyed vision for the future. Her journey from child star to respected artist serves as a testament to her adaptability and resilience in an ever-changing industry, a narrative that will now be permanently etched into the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard.