Miley Cyrus pens touching letter to Hannah Montana to celebrate 15-year anniversary of iconic Disney show: ‘The greatest gift’

Miley Cyrus has penned an emotional letter to ‘alter-ego’ Hannah Montana, 15 years after the first episode premiered.

Side note: How has it been that long!?

The Wrecking Ball singer starred as the titular character on the Disney TV show 15 years ago – with the series going on to span four seasons and a banging soundtrack.

Taking to social media, the 28-year-old paid tribute to her former role, while also taking us all for an emotional stroll down memory lane.

‘Hi Hannah, it’s been a while,’ she began. ’15 years to be exact. Since the first time I slid those blonde bangs over my forehead in the best attempt to conceal my identity. Then slipped into a puke pink Terry cloth robe with a bedazzled HM over the [heart]. I didn’t know then… that is where you would live forever. Not just in mine, but millions of people all over the world.

‘Although you are considered to be an “alter ego,” in reality, there was a time in my life when you held more of my identity in your glove than I did in my bare hands.

‘We had an equal exchange in which you provided a superlative amount of fame in return for anonymity I could gift to you. But, a lot has changed since then. You were like a rocket that flew me to the moon and never brought me back down. 

‘I couldn’t have imagined when taping myself singing I Love Rock N’ Roll against a white wall in my mum’s friends kitchen in Nashville, TN, the name typed in marquee-style letters on the front of a first draft script would make my wildest dreams a reality.

‘You and I have been though it all together my friend. We’ve shared many firsts, a lot of lasts, ups, downs, tears and laughs.’

Miley recalled the death of her granddad, who died shortly before the first episode premiered, so wasn’t able to watch her in action.

She honoured her ‘pappy’ by ‘carrying his name’ beside her dad’s in the credits of the episode.

‘I experienced falling in love for the first time in those years,’ she continued, recalling the friends she had made on set. 

‘Embarrassingly started my period in a pair of white capris of course on the day a “cute guy” was cast and asked to have lunch with me.

‘Instead I spent it in the bathroom with my mum sobbing and scrambling to find a pair of fresh denim. I gained so many friends over the 6 years spent on set.

‘I was seeing them more than my own.’

‘It was bittersweet to know I would be leaving you (a huge piece of me) behind in stage 9. Which is where I say I grew up when asked. It was my home,’ Miley said of her last day, when the show ended in 2011.

‘The finale episode was appropriately titled “Wherever I Go” after a final song by the teen pop sensation herself. You. Me? Hannah Montana.

‘Hannah, I hope you hear me and believe those words are true. You have all my love and upmost gratitude. Breathing life into you for those 6 years was an honour. I am indebted not only to you Hannah but to any and everyone who believed in the beginning. 

‘You all have my loyalty and deepest appreciation until the end. With all sincerity, I say THANK YOU!’

Miley ended the lengthy message by giving an emotional shoutout to everyone involved in the show, adding: ‘To Disney’s entire team, all fellow cast members, special guests, crew, agents and managers. Especially my mummy who took me to every lesson and audition even when in required leaving town or making a cross country move when my siblings so selflessly underwent. 

‘Not a day goes by I forget where I came from. A building in Burbank, California with a room full of people with the power to fulfil my destiny. And they did. They gave me you. 

‘The greatest gift a girl could ask for. I love you Hannah Montana. Forever, Miley.’

Anyone else need an entire box of tissues after that?

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Dr Pimple Popper squirted with blood as she removes 21-year-old ‘ballbag’ keloid

MORE : Where is Kelly Ripa? Live! with Kelly and Ryan host replaced by Maria Menounos