Miley Cyrus was moved to tears while being named the youngest Disney Legend at 2024 Disney Legends Awards on Sunday.
The Disney Channel alum, 31 gave an emotion packed speech while being as she was honored during the special ceremony Disney’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, California.
The award is presented to a Disney Legend, an individual who has significantly influenced the company and left their mark on the industry.
Fourteen individuals were honoured as Disney Legends this year, each having made extraordinary creative contributions across the worlds of Disney.
Angela Bassett, Colleen Atwood, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde and John Williams are the other honourees.
Miley Cyrus was moved to tears while being named the youngest Disney Legend at 2024 Disney Legends Awards on Sunday
She is the youngest star to be named a Disney Legend
Miley and her dad Billy Ray pictured in 2009 on set of Hannah Montana: The Movie
The Flowers hitmaker dedicated her to her alter ego Hannah Montana from the hit Disney Channel series that ran from 2006 to 2011.
Speaking of her breakthrough role she said: ‘I had gotten a taste of what my life could be, and from that moment on, I did not want anything else.
‘A little bit of everything has changed… but at the same time, nothing has changed at all. I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana,’ she said.
Later in her speech, she said: ‘In so many ways, this award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing loyal fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality. To quote the legend herself, “This is the life.”‘
Her emotional speech comes just weeks after her father Billy Ray Cyrus – who starred alongside her in Hannah Montana – made cruel comments about her in leaked audio.
Country singer Billy Ray, who has been accused of being ‘jealous’ of Miley’s success eclipsing his own over the years, was heard saying: ‘Everyone knows that devil’s a skank.’
Meanwhile, Bob Iger, the Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, had commented: ‘To be named a Disney Legend is the highest honour our company can bestow on anyone, reserved for those whose talent and achievement have earned them an enduring place in our history.’
Miley looked stunning in an elegant lowcut navy pant suit that showed off her very slender legs and petite frame.
Her short highlighted locks sat over her shoulders as the Best of Both Worlds songstress became overwhelmed with happiness during the ceremony.
‘A little bit of everything has changed, … but at the same time, nothing has changed at all. I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana,’ she said
Freaky Friday stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan also made a special appearance at the star-studded biennial exposition
Jaime Lee, 65, made heads turn in a long-sleeved white polka dot blouse and ivory trousers as she accepted her Disney Legend award.
The movie star sported her short signature silver locks as she thanked the company and fans for their continued support
Curtis said in her acceptance speech: ‘The truth is, legends aren’t formed. They’re created when they’re nurtured and taught and educated’
Freaky Friday stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan also made a special appearance at the star-studded biennial exposition.
Jaime Lee, 65, made heads turn in a long-sleeved white polka dot blouse and ivory trousers as she accepted her Disney Legend award.
The movie star — who is slated to reprise her role as Tess Coleman alongside Lohan in the Freaky Friday sequel — sported her short signature silver locks as she thanked the company and fans for their continued support.
She said in her acceptance speech: ‘The truth is, legends aren’t formed. They’re created when they’re nurtured and taught and educated.’
While being honoured by her-screen daughter and Jodie Foster, the Borderlands star revealed that her favorite ride at Disneyland was the Carousel of Progress and invited fans to sing its theme song with her and ‘listen to the words.’
‘There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day. There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow and tomorrow’s just a dream away,’ she and the crowd harmonized.
Lindsay, 38, looked elegant in a lime-yellow turtleneck floor length gown that complimented her strawberry-blonde locks
Gushing over her legendary on-screen mum she said: ‘ I have been able to have the pleasure of working with Jamie Lee Curtis. And the magic of Jamie Lee Curtis is that she is timeless’
‘Every character she plays is different, and she always brings something unique to the role. And I feel so blessed to have Jamie as a friend in my life, and I feel lucky to work with a woman that I admire so much,’ she finished
Foster chimed in with more praise for Jaime Lee saying: ‘There are many things that my bestie Jamie and I have in common,’ referencing their past as young stars in Hollywood
Lindsay, 38, looked elegant in a lime-yellow turtleneck floor length gown that complimented her strawberry-blonde locks.
Gushing over her legendary on-screen mum she said: ‘I have been able to have the pleasure of working with Jamie Lee Curtis. And the magic of Jamie Lee Curtis is that she is timeless.
‘Every character she plays is different, and she always brings something unique to the role. And I feel so blessed to have Jamie as a friend in my life, and I feel lucky to work with a woman that I admire so much,’ she finished.
Foster chimed in with more praise for Jaime Lee saying: ‘There are many things that my bestie Jamie and I have in common,’ referencing their past as young stars in Hollywood.
‘Here are many of the absolutely freaky things that you may not know about her: You probably don’t know she eats dinner at 3 or 4, and is asleep by 7:30. She gets up at 3am, she saves the world and she online shops a little bit,’ she added.
‘She is so thoughtful and so generous, such a supportive and kind cheerleader, that it just makes me want to punch her,’ the BAFTA Award winner quipped while presenting the actress with the Disney Legends award ‘Is that wrong?’
During the Disney Legends Awards ceremony Anika Nani Rose, Jodi Benson, Linda Larkin, Ming-Na Wen and Paige O’Hara — the voice actresses of the Disney Princesses — made special appearances
Actress Zoe Saldana modeled a stunning navy corset and matching midi-length skirt as she welcomed Titanic director James Cameron on stage as an award winner
During the Disney Legends Awards ceremony Anika Nani Rose, Jodi Benson, Linda Larkin, Ming-Na Wen and Paige O’Hara — the voice actresses of the Disney Princesses — made special appearances as they introduced Disney animator and director Mark Henn.
Actress Zoe Saldana modeled a stunning navy corset and matching midi-length skirt as she welcomed Titanic director James Cameron on stage as an award winner.
According to the Walt Disney Company the D23 expo is ‘three packed days of showcases with stars and storytellers, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes moments, thrilling performances, shopping, surprises, and more.’