Miley Cyrus Spills the Tea on Which “Hannah Montana” Crush She Would’ve Really Picked

Miley Cyrus recently opened up about her iconic Disney character, Hannah Montana, and even revealed which on-screen love interest she would have chosen herself. The pop star spoke with Variety ahead of the Hannah Montana 20th-anniversary special, which will stream on Disney+ on March 24.

Fans lined up at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood to see Cyrus perform classic hits like “This Is the Life” and “The Climb.” The special brought back many elements from the original show, including recreated sets and costumes, letting viewers relive the magic of the Disney Channel era.

Cyrus said she wanted to keep the character authentic while giving Hannah a grown-up update. “I didn’t want to do this modern approach to Hannah. I wanted to keep it preserved. But also, now Hannah wears Gucci. She’s elevated. She’s gotta look a little less Galleria,” she told Variety.

When asked about her character’s romantic storylines, Cyrus admitted she would have made a different choice in real life. “Jesse is probably more my real choice, but I think Jake made more sense for Hannah,” she said, referring to the characters played by Cody Linley and Drew Roy.

Cyrus reflected on the pressures of growing up on television and how those experiences shaped her. “Being recognizable as a teen going through different phases and stages was sometimes awkward, but that’s what helped me relate to the kids watching at home,” she said.

Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, who played her on-screen dad, also played a key role behind the scenes. “My dad was on set every single day, so there was nothing that could happen that he wouldn’t know about,” Miley explained. She credits him with helping her navigate fame at a young age and stay grounded.

The singer stressed that she never intended to overshadow or “kill” the character. “I wasn’t trying to kill Hannah off. I was just progressing,” she said. The anniversary special, she says, is her way of merging Hannah Montana with her own identity. “This special is my reclaiming of merging Hannah and Miley together.”

Cyrus also revealed that getting sober and pursuing therapy helped her reconnect with herself and perform confidently. “Now, through a sober lens, I can have compassion and understanding for myself,” she said, noting that stage nerves no longer control her.

The anniversary special is more than a trip down memory lane. Cyrus hopes it shows fans how to embrace their past while growing into who they are today. “I can actually have it all,” she said, reflecting on balancing her childhood fame with her current life and career.

Fans can catch Miley Cyrus bringing Hannah Montana back on Disney+ on March 24 and hear her thoughts on the show’s famous romances, including which one she would have chosen herself.

It’s refreshing to see Miley openly share which character she would have dated and reflect on the show with such honesty. It shows how much the series and her personal growth are intertwined. What do you think about Miley’s pick for Hannah’s love interest? Share your thoughts in the comments.