Hannah Montana star Mitchell Musso was noticeably absent from the show’s 20th anniversary special earlier this year – and now he’s revealing why.
“Of course they asked me (to join),” Musso, 34, revealed on it “Joe Vulpi’s Podcast” Wednesday, June 24. “But it wasn’t presented correctly (to me).”
Musso starred in more than 70 episodes of the classic Disney Channel comedy series, playing Miley Stewart’s (Cyrus) best friend Oliver Oken alongside Emily Osmentis Lilly Truscott.
The star explained to the host Joe Vulpis that he really appreciated the opportunity to play Oliver again, having mostly lived out of the limelight for the past decade. Instead, Disney opted for a retrospective look back on Hannah Montana.
Mitchel Musso, Emily Osment and Miley Cyrus on “Hannah Montana”.
Joel Warren / Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection“I’ve been waiting for ten years,” he stressed. “The people, they say, are 20. My break has been 10. It’s too long a wait to do it in a way that’s not even close, in my opinion, correct.”
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special aired in March and featured Cyrus, 33, looking back on memorable moments from the show with the host Alex Cooper and celebrity guests such as Chappell Roan and Selena Gomez.
In his new interview, Musso said he would relish the chance to actually play Oliver again for a proper run Hannah Montana episode.
“I need a wig,” he joked. “I want the hair, which is fine. I’ve worn (wigs) many times at Disney. I’ve worn lots of wigs. … I want to feel that part again. I want to put the little polo back on and wear those … plaid shorts with the silly shoes.”
The actor continued: “I wanted to play the character, yes. When I saw myself doing it, I’d be like, ‘Oh, there you are!’ Let’s get out there and let’s do it.”
Musso was not the only major Hannah Montana cast members missing from the anniversary special, as Osment, 34, could not be displayed due to her filming commitment on the CBS sitcom Georgie & Mandy’s first marriage.
“We are at Georgie and Mandy … and that’s why I wasn’t able to be a part of the 20-year reunion because we’re here filming our show,” she said in a social media video at the time. “But I wanted to say hello and thank you to everyone who stuck with us all these years. I am so thankful that you all still love the show. I am so proud to be a part of it.”
Prior to Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special broadcast in March, Musso paid tribute to the show with his own Instagram post.
Miley Cyrus is still fielding questions about Hannah Montana more than a decade after it ended — and she has some fun memories to share. During the Thursday, June 19, episode of her mom Tish Cyrus and sister Brandi Cyrus’ “Sorry We’re Cyrus” podcast, the Grammy winner, 32, opened up about a moment that never (…)
“Hannah Montana wrapped around my heart and never really let go. We literally grew up with you – long days, crazy schedules, learning curve, cracking between takes and figuring out life while the cameras were rolling,” he wrote. “It taught me so many wonderful values, but the most important thing ‘to me’ is that laughter can get you through the hard days. That confidence still sticks with me every single day.”
He also called out his co-stars, writing: “Miley, Emily, Jason (Earle’s), Billy Ray (Cyrus), Moses (Aryans), and the entire crew at Disney – you became my family through all the real, messy, beautiful moments. Thank you for believing in a silly kid from Texas who wore some questionable outfits with such a haircut. To all of you, thank you for welcoming me into your homes and hearts 20 years ago and still allowing me to be here today. I’m honored that we can share all of this together.”
Hannah Montana originally aired for four seasons between 2006 and 2011. Classic episodes, as well as Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Specialcan be streamed via Disney+.
