This March brought the Hannah Montana era back to life with the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special. From its iconic soundtrack to the Stewart house and even Hannah’s closet, every detail was carefully recreated to celebrate both the show and its massive fanbase. Miley Cyrus returned for the special, alongside several familiar cast members and guest stars. However, the special notably left out a few beloved characters from the original series, sparking backlash among fans. 

After much chatter, the showrunner has finally revealed the reason behind this decision.

Showrunner Ashley Edens addressed the absence of crucial cast members from the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary reunion, including Emily Osment and Mitchel Musso. While Osment played Lilly Truscott, Musso was Oliver Oken in the show. Speaking about the decision, Edens explained that the special was limited to a one-hour format, which led the team to focus on Miley Cyrus and her personal journey on the show.

“It wasn’t that she didn’t want anyone else there — I think her love for all those classmates comes through — but … in the hour special, we really just leaned into Miley and her experience and it being through her lens,” she said.

The two actors, who missed out on the special, were part of the beloved trio that fans had long cherished. However, Osment had earlier taken to social media to clarify that she could not attend due to her schedule conflicts. However, both reminisced about the time by sharing nostalgic photos and gave a shoutout to the show on social media.

Mitchel Musso also shared a heartfelt message, expressing his gratitude to the entire team. While he and Emily Osment were absent, Billy Ray Cyrus, Moises Arias, and Cody Linley returned for the special. However, the reunion still had a few surprises in store. 

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Edens also explained why and how two of the most unexpected appearances in the special ultimately came together.

The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special surprised fans with appearances from Selena Gomez. As showrunner, Ashley Edens revealed that Selena’s inclusion was natural, given her friendship with Miley Cyrus. She also appeared in the original Hannah Montana series as Mikayla Skeech. 

“I love that Selena came through for Miley,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Chappell Roan’s appearance was for a more thoughtful reason. It was due to Roan’s admiration for Miley and her deep connection to the Hannah Montana legacy. She represented the younger generation that also connected with Hannah Montana. Although there were disappointing absences, the special felt complete with heartwarming reunions and moments. 

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What do you think about the showrunner's opinion and vision for the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special? Share your thoughts.