Los Angeles: Hannah Montana is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and fans were eagerly anticipating a nostalgic reunion special featuring Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tish Cyrus, and Selena Gomez. However, one familiar face will be noticeably absent: Emily Osment, who portrayed Lilly Truscott, Miley’s best friend on the iconic Disney series.
Emily Osment Explains Her Absence
Osment addressed her absence on Instagram, sharing a video from the set of her current project, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, a spinoff of Young Sheldon.
“We’re at the Georgie & Mandy set, and that’s why I was not able to be a part of the 20-year reunion,” she explained, joking with co-star Montana Jordan about the milestone.
Despite missing the Disney+ special, Osment expressed heartfelt gratitude for her time on Hannah Montana. She noted that the show instilled in her “a lifelong respect for this medium of comedy” and taught her discipline, patience, timing, and professionalism at a young age.
She also thanked fans for their continued support, observing that many now share the show with their own children. Signing her message as “Lilly,” Osment paid homage to the character who helped define the series.
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Reflecting on the Legacy
Osment reflected on the enduring impact of the show, stating, “I can’t tell you what your sweet messages mean to me and how lucky I feel to have been a part of this once-in-a-generation goliath of a television show.”
While Miley Cyrus and Osment’s off-screen friendship has been the subject of speculation over the years, the two appeared to remain on good terms. In 2020, Osment even joined Cyrus on Instagram Live for what Cyrus described as “the reunion of the decade.”
Streaming Details
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special will stream on Disney+ and Hulu on March 24 at 3 a.m. ET (12 a.m. PT), offering fans a chance to relive the magic of the beloved series—albeit without Lilly Truscott’s on-screen presence.
Though fans will miss seeing Osment, her reflections underscore the profound and lasting influence the show has had on its cast and viewers alike, cementing its place in Disney’s cultural legacy.
