Long before she became a country music superstar, Lainey Wilson was imitating Miley Cyrus’ iconic Disney character Hannah Montana during her teenage years.
“I was making money in high school,” the singer told Taste of Country in a 2021 interview.
“One day I would play a 3-year-old’s birthday party and then later that day I would play at a nursing home, so I really had to figure out how to fit in with my crowd,” Lainey shared with People magazine about her experience. “I was doing three or four parties that weekend and fairs and festivals. All my friends in high school were going to LSU football games and having a blast. I never even thought twice about it. I never felt like I was missing out. I felt like I was adding points to my belt.”
The “Yellowstone” actress had a “full circle moment” on Sunday when she honored Cyrus as a Disney Legend at the D23 event in Anaheim, California. Cyrus, who played Hannah Montana on the hit comedy from 2006 to 2011, made history as the youngest person ever to be honored as a Disney Legend.
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Lainey Wilson honored her “idol,” Miley Cyrus, as a Disney Legend on Sunday. (The Walt Disney Company)
“Miley, you may not know this, but I am truly one of your biggest fans,” the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer said at the event in a video obtained by Entertainment Tonight. “My first job was to bring my portable sound system, a wig, and 15 songs that I had learned so far and… and do Hannah Montana. I’m talking birthday parties, fairs, festivals, you name it. It was me, Lainey Wilson, opening for me, as Hannah Montana.”
WIlson said Cyrus inspired her career. (The Walt Disney Company)
“You inspired me to believe in myself,” she added, “That I, too, could be an ordinary girl living in an extraordinary world. So on behalf of Hannah Montana fans everywhere, I want to dedicate this song to you.”
After performing the “Hannah Montana” theme song, “Best of Both Worlds,” Cyrus and Wilson hugged onstage.
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The former Disney star made history as the youngest Disney Legend ever. (The Walt Disney Company)
“Before I start, I’m going to let you in on a little Disney legend secret,” Cyrus said in her acceptance speech. “I’m the one who’s going to tell you things you’re not supposed to know. What I’m saying is that legends get scared too. I’m scared right now. But the difference is, we still do it. You can all do it every day. It’s legendary to be scared and still do it. There’s no such thing as failure when you try.”
It’s that go-getter attitude that resonated with Wilson throughout the early years of her career.
“You inspired me to believe in myself. That I could be an ordinary girl living in an extraordinary world.”
— Lainey Wilson on Miley Cyrus
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“I got the best of both worlds, that’s for sure. From performing like Hannah Montana on flatbed trailers at birthday parties to paying tribute to the legend herself… now that’s what you call a full circle moment,” Wilson wrote on Instagram a day after the moment. “@mileycyrus, you are such an inspiration. Thank you for letting me pay tribute to you. I still have to pinch myself about last night.”
