Miley Cyrus becomes a Disney Legend; Lainey Wilson performs “Best of Both Worlds” in a nod to her Disney character, Hannah Montana.Photo:The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
Lainey Wilsonhad a full-circle moment while honoringMiley Cyrus’s new status as a Disney Legend.
Before belting the iconic track, however, the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer revealed her own reverence for Cyrus, who had a huge influence on her early career.
“I’m talking about at birthday parties, fairs, festivals, you name it — it was me, Lainey Wilson, opening up for me as Hannah Montana,” she continued. “You talk about the best of both worlds. You inspired me to believe in myself that I too could be an ordinary girl living in an extraordinary world.”
“So on behalf ofHannah Montanafans everywhere, I’d like to dedicate this song to you,” she told the audience. And, as the track’s memorable intro began, she yelled, “Y’all better get up!”
Lainey Wilson and Miley Cyrus pose together at the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony on Aug. 11, 2024.The Walt Disney Company
Wilson’s rendition of the theme song featured not only her distinctive country twang and a sparkly, Montana-inspired outfit, but also some updated references. “Is thatOrlando Bloom?” for example, was swapped for, “Is that Glen Powell?”
After wrapping the cover — with the lyric, “‘Cause you know you got the best of both worlds” — Cyrus joined Wilson on stage. The duo embraced, and theBell Bottom Countrymusician stood behind Cyrus as she deliveredher emotional acceptance speech.
Reflecting on the moment on Monday, Aug. 12, Wilson revealed that she is “still pinching herself.”
“I got the best of both worlds that’s for sure🌎,” shewroteon X (formerly Twitter). “From performing as Hannah Montana on flat bed trailers at birthday parties to honoring the legend herself…now that right there is what ya call a full circle moment.”
“@MileyCyrus you’re such an inspiration,” she added. “Thank you for letting me honor you. Still pinching myself about last night. 🕺 🪩.”
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Cyrus portrayed the titular pop star of Disney’s hit sitcomHannah Montanafrom 2006 to 2011, plus 2009’sHannah Montana: The Movieand the Best of Both Worlds tour. She also played the typical (brunette) teenager behind the blonde wig: Miley Stewart.
Lainey Wilson and Miley Cyrus embrace on stage at the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony.The Walt Disney Company
Wilson previouslyspoke about her past impersonating the blonde Disney pop star, telling PEOPLE that in the early days of her career, “One day I would be playing a 3-year-old’s birthday party and later that day, I would be playing a nursing home, so I really had to figure out how to adjust to my crowd.”
“There’s times now where I feel like that really comes in handy,” Wilson continued, and noted that through these experiences, she also learned that the career she sought “was not gonna be easy,” she told PEOPLE.
“I was doing three or four parties a weekend and fairs and festivals,” she recalled at the time. “All my friends in high school were going to the LSU football games and living it up. I never even thought twice about it. I never felt like I was missing out. I felt like I was putting some notches on my belt.”
source: people.com