It feels like a lifetime ago that we were all singing along to "The Climb" while watching Miley Stewart struggle to keep her blonde wig from falling off in the Tennessee mud. Released in 2009, Hannah Montana: The Movie was more than just a Disney Channel spin-off; it was a massive cultural pivot. It was the moment the world realized Miley Cyrus was becoming something much bigger than a TV character.
But looking back now in 2026, the Hannah Montana the movie actors have taken some pretty wild paths. Some stayed in the spotlight, others pivoted to totally different industries, and a few basically disappeared into the Hollywood ether. Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip to see where they ended up.
The Icon Herself: Miley Cyrus in 2026
Miley is, well, she’s a legend. Just recently, she was named a Disney Legend—the youngest ever, which is kinda wild when you think about her "Wrecking Ball" phase. She’s currently making headlines for her 2026 Golden Globe appearance, where she rocked a custom Saint Laurent gown and teased a massive project for the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana this March.
She isn't just a pop star anymore. She’s an institution. Between her recent engagement to Maxx Morando and her Grammy-winning streak, Miley has managed to do what very few child stars can: she outgrew the brand without ever fully losing the fans who loved the girl from Crowley Corners.
The Farm Boy: What Happened to Lucas Till?
Remember Travis Brody? The guy who taught Miley how to ride a horse and made everyone want to move to the country? Lucas Till was the ultimate 2009 heartthrob.
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After the movie, Lucas didn't just stick to the "boy next door" roles. He went full action star. He played Havok in the X-Men movies and spent five years as the lead in the MacGyver reboot. In 2025, he jumped into a gritty new Western series called The Abandons. He’s definitely traded the acoustic guitar for some much heavier roles, and honestly, the beard suits him.
Emily Osment: More Than a Sidekick
Lilly Truscott was the best friend everyone wanted. Emily Osment was so good at being the grounded, funny half of that duo.
Post-Disney, Emily has had one of the most consistent careers of the bunch. You’ve probably seen her on Young Sheldon or the spin-off Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, which is still going strong. But what most people don't know is that she’s become a huge environmental advocate. Just a couple of months ago, she joined the board of a nonprofit called American Rivers. She’s literally out there protecting the nation's waterways when she isn't filming sitcoms. Talk about a glow-up.
The Supporting Cast You Totally Forgot Were There
The movie had a surprisingly deep bench of talent. It wasn't just the core Disney kids.
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- Margo Martindale (Grandma Ruby): Most people now know her as "Character Actress Margo Martindale" from BoJack Horseman or her Emmy-winning work on Justified. She brought some real heart to the movie.
- Vanessa Williams (Vita): She played Miley’s high-powered publicist. Vanessa is still a Broadway and TV powerhouse. She’s basically timeless.
- Jason Earles (Jackson Stewart): He’s mostly moved into mentoring and directing now. He even showed up in the High School Musical series to help the new generation of Disney kids.
- Melora Hardin (Lorelai): Before she was Jan Levinson on The Office, she was Billy Ray’s love interest in the movie.
The Taylor Swift Cameo: A 2009 Time Capsule
It’s hilarious to look back at the Hannah Montana the movie actors and realize Taylor Swift was technically one of them. She wasn't a lead, but she performed "Crazier" during the barn dance scene.
At the time, she was just a rising country star. Now, she’s... well, she’s Taylor Swift. In her recent Eras Tour shows, she actually mashed up "Crazier" with her newer songs, proving she hasn't forgotten her Disney-adjacent roots. It’s one of those "if you know, you know" moments for the fans who have been there since the beginning.
Billy Ray Cyrus: Life After the Mullet
Billy Ray’s life has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He had a massive career resurgence with "Old Town Road" a few years back, which broke basically every record in the book.
On a personal level, things have been a bit messier. His divorce from Tish Cyrus was pretty public, and his brief marriage to singer Firerose ended in 2025 after a lot of legal drama. Despite the headlines, he’s still making music, often collaborating with his son Braison. He’s definitely leaned back into his country roots lately, moving away from the "Robby Ray" persona for good.
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The Impact of the Crowley Corners Effect
Why do we still care about these people?
The movie was about authenticity. It was about Miley Stewart choosing herself over the wig. That theme has actually played out in real life for most of these actors. They didn't just stay stuck in the Disney vault. They grew up, got divorced, changed careers, and became real people.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic, here is the best way to catch up with the cast without falling down a six-hour Wiki-hole:
- Watch Miley’s "Endless Summer Vacation" (Backyard Sessions): It shows exactly how much her voice has matured since "The Climb."
- Stream "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage": If you miss Emily Osment’s comedic timing, this is where she shines.
- Check out "Son of the South": This is arguably Lucas Till's best acting work to date; it’s a biographical drama that’s a far cry from Hannah Montana.
- Re-watch the movie on Disney+: Honestly, the soundtrack still holds up. "Hoedown Throwdown" is still a certified bop, even if we’ve all forgotten the steps.
The legacy of the film isn't just the box office numbers. It’s the fact that almost twenty years later, the people involved are still some of the biggest names in the industry. They survived the "teen idol" curse, and that’s the most impressive thing of all.