It feels like a lifetime ago that we all piled into theaters to watch a blonde wig-wearing teenager try to save her hometown from a greedy developer. Hannah Montana: The Movie was the peak of the 2000s Disney era.
Remember the "Hoedown Throwdown"?
Most of us still have that choreography burned into our muscle memory whether we want it there or not. But looking back at the cast from Hannah Montana the movie today, things look wildy different than the glittery, G-rated world of Crowley Corners. We've seen Grammy wins, messy public divorces, and some truly unexpected career pivots that nobody saw coming when the film dropped in 2009.
Honestly, the trajectory of these actors tells a bigger story about how hard it is to grow up in the Disney machine. Some leaned into the chaos. Others basically vanished into the prestige TV world.
Miley Cyrus: From Teen Queen to Rock Legend
You’ve obviously kept up with Miley. It’s hard not to. But what’s interesting is how much she’s distanced herself from the "Miley Stewart" persona while simultaneously embracing it.
After years of "Wrecking Ball" eras and experimental psych-rock, Miley really hit a new stride in the mid-2020s. By 2026, she’s firmly established as a vocal powerhouse rather than just a former child star. Her 2023 hit "Flowers" was just the beginning of a massive resurgence. She’s been vocal about the grueling schedule she kept as a kid—literally working 12-hour days at age 13—and she’s used that experience to advocate for better protections for young performers.
She still honors the show, though. On the 16th anniversary of the premiere, she posted a heartfelt tribute. It’s a far cry from the days when it felt like she was trying to set the wig on fire.
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The Quiet Rise of Emily Osment
If you haven't been watching Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, you're missing out on what Emily Osment is doing right now.
Lilly Truscott was the sidekick, sure. But Emily has arguably had one of the most stable and successful acting careers of the entire group. She moved from Young & Hungry straight into the Big Bang Theory universe.
Life hasn't been all sitcom laughs, though. In a very "life mirrors art" moment, Emily got married to Jack Anthony in late 2024, but by 2025, they had already separated. It’s been a heavy year for her. She’s currently filming Season 2 of her CBS spinoff, playing a weather reporter—a role that oddly mirrors the career transitions many child stars make in real life.
She also makes music under the name Bluebiird. It’s moody, indie, and sounds absolutely nothing like "Let’s Get Crazy."
Lucas Till: The Heartthrob Who Became MacGyver
Remember Travis Brody? The guy who taught Miley how to ride a horse and then got his heart broken?
Lucas Till was the ultimate boy-next-door in the movie. After the film, he didn't just stay in the rom-com lane. He went full action star. He played Havok in the X-Men movies and then spent five years leading the MacGyver reboot on CBS.
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Recently, he’s been chasing more prestige projects. He got critical acclaim for Son of the South, and honestly, he’s one of the few actors from that era who managed to transition to "serious actor" without a public breakdown. He’s currently working on a thriller called Here Comes the Flood. He’s come a long way from the Nashville stables.
What’s Going On With Billy Ray Cyrus?
This is where things get a bit complicated.
Billy Ray has had a rough few years in the public eye. After his divorce from Tish Cyrus in 2022, he married Australian singer Firerose, but that relationship ended fairly quickly and loudly.
By early 2026, the headlines aren't great. His performance at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration Liberty Ball was described by some on social media as "heartbreaking" due to technical issues and his physical appearance. His son, Trace Cyrus, even went public with a plea for his father to get help, citing concerns about his health and emotional distance from the family.
Despite the family drama, he’s still making music. He’s currently working on a new album produced by his son, Braison Cyrus. It’s supposed to be a "full circle" project, but the tension between him and his other children—specifically Miley—remains a huge topic of tabloid speculation.
The Supporting Players: Where are they now?
The cast from Hannah Montana the movie had some incredible deep-bench talent that you probably forgot about.
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- Moisés Arias (Rico): He’s arguably had the coolest "indie" transition. Instead of chasing blockbusters, he became a darling of the Sundance scene with The Kings of Summer. Most recently, he starred in the massive Fallout series on Amazon Prime. He also co-founded a fashion brand called MSFTSrep with Jaden and Willow Smith.
- Jason Earles (Jackson): He’s basically the "Dad" of the Disney Channel now. He spent years directing shows like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and teaching acting workshops to the next generation of kids. He’s leaned into the mentor role, which fits him perfectly.
- Taylor Swift: People forget she was in this! She had a cameo singing "Crazier." I think we all know how her career turned out. She's currently the biggest star on the planet, so she did okay for herself.
- Melora Hardin: She played the love interest for Billy Ray. She went on to be Jan Levinson in The Office and had a huge run on The Bold Type.
The Lasting Legacy of Crowley Corners
Looking at the cast from Hannah Montana the movie in 2026, it’s clear that the "Disney Curse" isn't a one-size-fits-all thing.
Some, like Miley and Emily, used it as a springboard to become industry titans. Others, like Lucas and Moisés, used the paycheck to pivot into the work they actually cared about. And some, like Billy Ray, are still navigating the complexities of fame decades later.
If you’re looking to revisit the magic, the movie is still a staple on Disney+. But if you want to see what they’re doing now, your best bet is to check out Emily Osment’s latest Season 2 set photos or catch Moisés Arias in his latest sci-fi project.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Emily Osment’s Bluebiird project on Spotify if you want to hear her non-Disney sound.
- Watch the Fallout series to see how much Moisés Arias has evolved since his Rico Suave days.
- Keep an eye out for Billy Ray's upcoming collaboration with Braison Cyrus, which is slated for a Summer 2026 release.
The movie might have been about "finding your way back home," but for this cast, the journey has taken them much further than Tennessee.