Hannah Montana and Mitchel Musso: What Really Happened to Oliver Oken

When you think of the Disney Channel golden era, your brain probably goes straight to Miley Cyrus’s blonde wig. But honestly, for most of us who grew up in the mid-2000s, the heart of the show wasn't just the pop star—it was the trio. You had Miley, Lilly, and of course, Oliver Oken. Played by Mitchel Musso, Oliver was the quintessential dorky best friend, the guy who wore a "STOP" belt buckle and once went by the alias Mike Standley III.

He was everywhere for a while. If you flipped the channel, he was voicing Jeremy on Phineas and Ferb. If you stayed on Disney XD, he was a king on a tropical island. Then, suddenly, he wasn't.

The disappearance of Mitchel Musso from the mainstream Disney machine wasn't a slow fade; it was more like a sharp exit that left a lot of fans wondering what actually went down behind the scenes of the "Best of Both Worlds" lifestyle.

The Oliver Oken Peak and the Disney Triple-Threat Machine

Mitchel Musso didn't just stumble into Hannah Montana. He was part of that specific Disney "class" of 2006, alongside the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, where the company expected you to do everything. Acting? Obviously. Singing? You bet. Hosting reality shows where you prank your costars? Absolutely.

During the first three seasons of Hannah Montana, Musso was a pillar of the show. While Miley was the star, Oliver and Lilly (Emily Osment) provided the grounded, suburban comedy that made the show relatable. Musso’s chemistry with Osment, in particular, was so good that the writers eventually paired them up, turning the "best friends" trope into a full-on romance.

But things started to shift around 2009. While Hannah Montana: The Movie was a massive hit, fans noticed Oliver was barely in it. He shows up at the beginning, says a few lines, and then Miley heads to Tennessee without him.

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Why the small role? It wasn't drama. At the time, Musso was chasing a music career. His self-titled debut album dropped in 2009, featuring the single "The In Crowd," and he was busy touring. Disney was leaning into him as a solo star, giving him his own series, Pair of Kings, and the hosting gig for PrankStars.

He was at the top of the mountain. And then, October 2011 happened.

The Turning Point: That 2011 DUI and the Disney Fallout

Disney has always been notoriously strict about its stars' images. Think of the purity rings and the "squeaky clean" PR. So, when a 20-year-old Mitchel Musso was arrested for a DUI in Burbank, California, the reaction from the Mouse House was swift.

Musso’s blood alcohol level was reportedly well above the legal limit for someone under 21. For a "regular" person, it’s a massive mistake; for a Disney XD lead, it was a career-ender.

• Pair of Kings: His character, King Brady, was written out of the show. They brought in Adam Hicks to fill the void as a long-lost brother, but the chemistry was never quite the same.
• PrankStars: The show was effectively canceled.
• Hannah Montana: Fortunately, the show had already wrapped its final season, Hannah Montana Forever, where Musso had already been moved to a "special guest star" status to accommodate his other projects.

It was a brutal lesson in how fast the Disney machine can turn its back when the brand is "tarnished." While stars like Miley Cyrus eventually transitioned out of the Disney mold by intentionally breaking it, Musso’s exit felt less like a transition and more like an eviction.

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The "Bag of Chips" Incident and Life in 2026

If you’ve seen Mitchel Musso in the news recently, it likely wasn't for a new movie. In August 2023, headlines went viral for something that sounded like a weird fever dream: Musso was arrested in Rockwall, Texas, over a bag of potato chips.

According to police reports, he entered a hotel, allegedly appeared intoxicated, and took a bag of chips without paying. When staff asked him to pay, he reportedly became "verbally abusive." It sounds minor, but for the internet, it was prime "former child star downfall" clickbait.

Musso later told outlets like Entertainment Weekly that the situation was blown out of proportion and that he was never actually "stealing," claiming he was just being harassed by a disgruntled employee. Regardless of the truth, the mugshot—showing a much older, tired-looking Musso—was a stark contrast to the bowl-cut kid we knew on Disney Channel.

Honestly, it's kinda sad. We want our childhood icons to stay frozen in time, but life doesn't work that way. Musso has been open in more recent years about the pressure of that era. He’s released mixtape projects like Ghost (2022) which move away from the bubblegum pop of his youth and into a more experimental, electronic sound. It’s vulnerable, raw, and clearly someone trying to find their voice outside of a corporate script.

Are the Hannah Montana Cast Still Friends?

The one thing that hasn't crumbled is the bond between the "Big Three." Despite the tabloid headlines, the friendship between Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, and Mitchel Musso seems surprisingly intact.

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Back in 2020, during Miley’s "Bright Minded" Instagram Live series, she had several former costars on. While Musso wasn't a guest on that specific show, he and Emily Osment have consistently posted nostalgic throwbacks. Osment even roasted him on Twitter a few years back, which—if you know anything about long-term friendships—is a sign that they’re still close enough to be mean to each other.

Musso has called Cyrus and Osment his "sisters" in various interviews. In a world where many child stars end up resenting their costars, the Hannah Montana group seems to have a genuine "we survived this together" vibe.

What Mitchel Musso Is Doing Now

As of 2026, Musso has largely pivoted away from the Hollywood "scene." He still does voice work—his portrayal of Jeremy Johnson remains a fan favorite—but he seems more focused on his own terms.

He’s living a quieter life in Texas, occasionally dropping music and engaging with fans on social media who still call him "Oliver." He hasn't had a major on-screen role since the 2018 short Save the Island, but that feels intentional. After the "bag of chips" media circus, he’s kept a lower profile, focusing on his mixtape work and personal growth.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators

If you’re looking to follow Mitchel Musso’s journey or are just a fan of the Hannah Montana era, here’s the best way to keep up without falling for the tabloid traps:

1. Check the Voice Credits: If you miss his voice, Musso is still very active in the VO world. Keep an ear out for his work in animation reboots and guest spots.
2. Stream "Ghost": Forget the Disney pop. If you want to see who Musso is as an artist today, listen to his Ghost mixtape. It's available on most streaming platforms and gives a much better look at his headspace than a 2023 mugshot.
3. Follow the Cast’s Verified Socials: Don't rely on "reunion" rumors from clickbait sites. Miley and Emily are very active on Instagram and usually post directly when they hang out with Mitchel.
4. Support Indie Projects: Musso has expressed interest in producing and directing. Keep an eye on his self-distributed content if you want to support his post-Disney career.

The story of the Hannah Montana cast is still being written. While Miley became a titan of the music industry and Emily Osment found steady success in sitcoms like Young & Hungry and Young Sheldon, Mitchel Musso’s path has been more of a rollercoaster. It’s a reminder that being the "best friend" in front of millions of people is a heavy mask to wear, and sometimes, taking it off is a messy process.

Next Steps: Check out Mitchel Musso's 2022 mixtape Ghost to hear his transition from Disney pop to independent electronic music. You can also catch his iconic voice work in Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against the Universe on Disney+.