It’s been a minute since 2009. Back then, we were all trying to learn the "Hoedown Throwdown" in our living rooms and wondering if Miley would actually choose the cowboy over the pop star life. Hannah Montana: The Movie wasn't just a Disney Channel spin-off; it was a massive cinematic event that basically served as the bridge between Miley Cyrus the teen idol and Miley Cyrus the global icon.
Seeing the cast of Hannah Montana The Movie together on screen feels like looking at a time capsule. Some of these actors went on to win Grammys and lead massive TV procedurals, while others kinda just... disappeared into a normal life. Honestly, that’s the beauty of it. Let’s get into what the Crowley Corners crew is actually doing in 2026.
Miley Cyrus: From Wig to Legend
You can't talk about the movie without the girl herself. Miley Stewart was at a breaking point in the film—fighting Tyra Banks over a pair of high heels and forgetting her best friend's birthday party. Fast forward to today, and Miley is officially a Disney Legend. She’s the youngest person to ever receive that honor, which is pretty wild when you think about her "Bangerz" era and how much she rebelled against the mouse house.
Currently, Miley is in a long-term relationship with Maxx Morando, and rumors of an engagement have been swirling around since late 2025. Musically, she’s still a powerhouse. After "Flowers" basically took over the world, she’s been leaning into a more soulful, rock-inspired sound that feels a million miles away from the bubblegum pop of "The Best of Both Worlds." She’s grown up. We’ve grown up. It’s a whole vibe.
Lucas Till (Travis Brody): The Cowboy Who Could
Remember Travis? The blond-haired, blue-eyed farm boy who rode a horse named Blue? Lucas Till was every girl's crush in 2009. His chemistry with Miley was so real that people genuinely thought they were dating (they weren't, mostly).
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Lucas didn't just stay in the "teen heartthrob" lane, though. He made a huge jump into the Marvel world as Havok in the X-Men movies before landing the lead role in the MacGyver reboot. That show ran for five seasons and basically cemented him as a legitimate action star. As of 2026, he’s still working steadily in film and television, though he’s swapped the cowboy hat for more serious, dramatic roles. He recently garnered critical acclaim for his role in Son of the South, showing he's got way more range than just "the cute neighbor."
Emily Osment: The Sitcom Queen
Lilly Truscott was the backbone of the series, and Emily Osment played her with so much heart. In the movie, she’s the one stuck in Malibu while Miley is off finding herself in Tennessee. Emily’s career post-Disney has been fascinating because she’s one of the few who successfully transitioned into a "working actor" without the massive tabloid drama.
She starred in Young & Hungry for years, and more recently, she’s been killing it on Young Sheldon and its spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. If you watch her now, you can still see flashes of Lilly’s comedic timing, but she’s definitely carved out her own niche in the sitcom world. She’s also been pretty open about how "weird" the fame was back in the Disney days, but she seems to have handled it better than most.
Billy Ray Cyrus: Life After Robby Ray
Billy Ray played Robby Ray Stewart, the mullet-clad dad we all wanted. In the movie, he’s the one who forces Miley to go back to her roots. Real life has been a bit more turbulent for him lately. After his divorce from Tish Cyrus, he had a very public and somewhat messy relationship with Australian singer Firerose. They married in 2023 but split by 2024, with the divorce finalized in 2025.
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Professionally, he’s still riding high on the "Old Town Road" legacy. That song changed everything for him, making him relevant to a whole new generation. He’s still making music, but he’s definitely stepped back from the acting world to focus on his country roots.
The Supporting Cast You Might Have Forgotten
The movie was actually packed with some heavy hitters and future stars. Take a look:
- Margo Martindale (Ruby): Miley’s grandma in the movie. Margo is basically acting royalty now. You’ve probably seen her in The Americans or Justified. She’s a multiple Emmy winner and one of the most respected character actresses in the business.
- Melora Hardin (Lorelai): Most people recognize her as Jan Levinson from The Office. She played Billy Ray’s love interest in the film. She’s still very active, recently appearing in The Bold Type.
- Vanessa Williams (Vita): The high-powered publicist. Vanessa is still a legend, doing Broadway, TV, and music.
- Taylor Swift: Yes, she was in this! She had a cameo performing "Crazier" at the barn dance. It’s funny to look back and see the biggest pop star on the planet as a minor guest star in a Miley Cyrus movie.
- Natalia Dyer: A super young Natalia Dyer (Nancy from Stranger Things) played one of the daughters of the British tabloid reporter.
Why the Movie Still Hits
People still search for the cast of Hannah Montana The Movie because it represents a specific kind of comfort. It was a simpler time. The soundtrack—especially "The Climb"—is still a karaoke staple. The movie dealt with themes of identity and burnout long before those were "trendy" topics for celebrities to discuss.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking the cast stayed close. While Miley and Emily are on good terms, they aren't the "best friends for life" the show portrayed. They’re colleagues who shared a massive, life-altering experience. That’s okay. It makes the nostalgia feel a bit more grounded and real.
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If you’re looking to revisit the magic, the best thing to do is a double feature: watch the movie, then go find the "Used to Be Young" series Miley did on TikTok. It gives so much context to what she was going through while filming those scenes in Tennessee. You'll see the movie in a whole new light.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of the soundtrack, check out the 2025 remastered versions of the songs on streaming platforms. Many of the original session musicians from the Nashville recordings have shared "behind the scenes" stories recently that make "Hoedown Throwdown" feel like a legitimate piece of music history rather than just a movie gimmick.
Key Cast Summary Table
| Actor | Character | Where They Are in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Miley Cyrus | Miley/Hannah | Disney Legend, global music icon |
| Lucas Till | Travis Brody | Action star (MacGyver, X-Men) |
| Emily Osment | Lilly Truscott | Sitcom lead (Georgie & Mandy) |
| Billy Ray Cyrus | Robby Ray | Country music veteran |
| Margo Martindale | Ruby | Multi-Emmy winning actress |
| Taylor Swift | Herself | Biggest artist in the world |
If you're feeling nostalgic, go back and watch the shoe-fight scene with Tyra Banks. It’s still one of the most chaotic things Disney ever put on the big screen.
To keep up with the latest on Miley's upcoming projects or where Lucas Till is heading next, keep an eye on industry trades like Variety or follow their official social channels, as both have major 2026 releases lined up.