Miley Cyrus’ Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special brought plenty of Disney Channel nostalgia to Disney+, but one familiar face was hard to miss for a very simple reason: she was not there. Emily Osment, who played Miley Stewart’s best friend Lilly Truscott on the hit series, sat out both the special and its premiere, leaving fans wondering why one of the show’s most recognizable stars was absent from the celebration.
Osment addressed that question on social media, where she explained that Hannah Montana still means a great deal to her even though she could not take part in the anniversary events. In an Instagram post, she called the show a “transformative experience” and said it gave her a deep appreciation for comedy while teaching her lessons about discipline, patience, timing, and professionalism at a young age.
Her message was paired with a video from the set of her current CBS sitcom, Georgia & Mandy’s First Marriage, featuring her co-star Montana Jordan. The post made it clear that her absence was tied to work rather than any bad blood, even as fans continued to notice that Lilly was missing from one of the biggest throwback moments in recent Disney memory.
What Emily Osment Said About Hannah Montana
Osment also thanked viewers for sticking with her long after her Disney Channel days. She told fans she was grateful to have been part of what she described as a “once-in-a-generation phenomenon” and said their support helped make her current chapter possible. She added that she hopes to keep entertaining audiences for years to come, a message that landed as both a thank-you note and a gentle explanation for why she could not be in two places at once.
That context matters, especially because Osment was not some minor guest star. Alongside Cyrus, she was one of the central faces of Hannah Montana during its original run, which began in 2006 and turned the series into a pop culture machine for Disney Channel. Her absence stood out precisely because Lilly was such a big part of the show’s appeal.
The Special Still Delivered a Big Disney Throwback
The anniversary special itself was filmed in front of a live studio audience and centers on an in-depth interview with Cyrus conducted by Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper. It also includes archival footage and recreated sets from the original series, including the Stewart family living room and Hannah’s famous closet, all designed to pull longtime fans back into the show’s world.
Still, for many viewers, Osment’s absence became part of the conversation. Hannah Montana was never just about one character, and reunions like this naturally bring expectations about who will show up. Even so, Osment’s message struck a warm note. She may have skipped the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, but she made it clear she has not forgotten what the show meant to her or to the fans who grew up watching it.
