Now a true pop star, Miley Cyrus returns to her 'Hannah Montana' roots to fete anniversary special

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sporting that “Hannah Montana” blond hair and bangs, Miley Cyrus went back to her roots — celebrating 20 years of the TV show that launched the career of a real-life pop star.

Cyrus reunited with cast members of “Hannah Montana” in Los Angeles Monday evening for the premiere of the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special.”

Cyrus told The Associated Press that the milestone has given her a chance to see the character and series from “a new perspective.” Cyrus, who began the Disney Channel show at age 13, played Miley Stewart, a tween and middle-schooler hiding her secret life as a famous pop singer.

“Getting to be on the outside now, getting to be grown and be a part of it in a way that I couldn’t when I was in the middle of it before, and all the chaos and the schedule and the performing of it all,” Cyrus said, “now it just gets to be a celebration. So it is a new perspective. I love that.”

The anniversary special, which started streaming Tuesday on Disney+ and Hulu, celebrates 20 years since the show’s premiere. Filmed in front of a live audience, it features archival footage and is centered on an interview with Cyrus — now 33 and a genuine pop star — conducted by podcast host Alex Cooper.

It includes several musical numbers, starting with the series anthem “The Best of Both Worlds” and ending with a new song dedicated to Cyrus' younger self. It also includes appearances by friends and family members, including father Billy Ray Cyrus, with whom Miley Cyrus tries to recreate their handshake from the series. Selena Gomez, who played a rival, makes an appearance, as does singer-songwriter Chappell Roan, who speaks to Miley Cyrus' influence on her career.

Addressing the audience at the premiere, Miley Cyrus paid tribute both to fellow cast members and fans. “Without you all, this show would have never been what it is, and I love saying what it is, not what it was,” she said.

“Tonight isn’t about looking back into the past, but it’s about what it means to us still tonight,” she said.

Jason Earles, who played Miley’s brother Jackson, told the AP that watching the show now highlights how much time has passed.

“I think if you go back and you watch the episodes, there’s enough dated references like old flip phones and stuff that you go, ‘Oh no, no, this show was a little while ago,'” he said.

Cody Linley, who played Miley’s on-and-off boyfriend Jake Ryan, reflected on the impact of portraying a teen heartthrob.

“It’s hard to believe that there were girls that had pictures of me with my shirt off in their locker and they would have me sign it,” Linley said. “And it’s hard not to let it go to your head, because you have to remember that it’s an image that they are seeing. It’s not you.”

Also attending the premiere was country singer Lainey Wilson, who recalled working as a “Hannah Montana” impersonator early in her career.

“From 8th grade to 12th grade, five years of my life, I would open up the show as Lainey Wilson, I would run behind a tree and put on my ‘Hannah Montana’ get-up,” the singer said. “I did birthday parties, fairs, festivals … I was hitting the roads.”

Brandi Cyrus, from left, Miley Cyrus, and Tish Cyrus-Purcell arrive at the premiere of "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" on Monday, March 23, 2026, at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Maxx Morando, from left, Miley Cyrus, Tish Cyrus-Purcell, Dominic Purcell, Brandi Cyrus, Matt Southcombe, and Joseph Purcell arrive at the premiere of "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" on Monday, March 23, 2026, at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Miley Cyrus arrives at the premiere of "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" on Monday, March 23, 2026, at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Miley Cyrus arrives at the premiere of "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" on Monday, March 23, 2026, at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 24, 2026--

Vecima Networks Inc. (TSX: VCM) today announced that Dell’Oro Group has ranked the company #1 globally for PON Remote Optical Line Terminals (R-OLTs), for both XGS-PON & 10G EPON, in its 2025 Broadband Access & Home Networking market share report, marking the fifth consecutive year Vecima has led in the Fiber R-OLT segment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324349173/en/

Broadband Service Providers deliver fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services using centralized equipment (OLTs) located in a data center or central office to manage data flow between the network and customers’ homes. A Remote OLT extends this capability closer to end users’ homes by placing that same intelligence deeper in the network, allowing operators to expand coverage more efficiently, reduce infrastructure costs, and deliver high-speed services to more locations with greater flexibility.

According to the March 5, 2026 Dell’Oro Group report, Vecima is the global revenue leader in Remote OLT devices, which enable Broadband Service Providers to deliver 10G fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services:

At SCTE TechExpo 2025, Vecima showcased the industry’s first 50G-PON migration path, supporting simultaneous operation of 10G PON and 50G ITU PON on the same optical port. With the SF-4X, Broadband Service Providers can deploy 50G-PON as needed, while preserving their investment and continuing to scale today’s 10G PON subscribers into the next decade.

Vecima recently announced a strategic, multi-year agreement with Spectrum, deepening its partnership and empowering Spectrum to evolve its fiber-powered connectivity network through multiple approaches. Further, Spectrum will continue its nationwide deployment of Vecima’s Entra PON Platforms, including the SF-4X Remote OLT.

To address the complexities of deploying and managing ITU PON networks at scale, Vecima’s Entra vPON Manager™ provides the provisioning, configuration, fault management, and analytics that form the cornerstone of modern PON access networks, within a unified, cloud-native management environment. The Entra vPON Manager integrates seamlessly with back-office management tools and employs a cloud-native microservices architecture that spans both integrated and disaggregated Vecima PON solutions.

Recognized by the 2026 Lightwave Innovation Reviews with a 4.0, the Entra vPON Manager “stands out for its innovative, cloud-native architecture that simplifies the management of PON deployments at scale,” according to Lightwave.

“Vecima’s continued leadership in Remote OLTs reflects the growing momentum behind Distributed Access Architectures as operators evolve their networks for higher capacity and greater operational flexibility,” said Jeff Heynen, Vice President, Broadband Access and Home Networking at Dell’Oro Group. “Their consistent market leadership highlights the strength of their portfolio, and the role DAA continues to play in enabling the industry’s transition to multi-gigabit broadband.”

“Maintaining global leadership in Remote OLTs for five consecutive years reflects the trust operators place in Vecima as they extend and modernize their broadband networks,” said Clay McCreery, Chief Operating Officer at Vecima. “With fiber access revenue expected to grow year-over-year through 2030, we are still in the early stages of this transition. Our focus on growing the fiber access business within our DAA portfolio will diversify revenue and contribute to durable, long-term earnings growth.”

“Our reliable, flexible, and simplified approach, combined with the Entra vPON Manager, enables operators to scale fiber deployments efficiently, building a modernized, AI-enabling network,” McCreery added. “As demand for multi-gig broadband and AI use-cases accelerates, we remain focused on helping operators capture this growth with confidence.”

About Vecima Networks

Vecima Networks Inc. (TSX: VCM) is leading the global evolution to the multi-gigabit, content-rich networks of the future. Our talented people deliver future-ready software, services, and integrated platforms that power broadband and video streaming networks, monitor and manage transportation, and transform experiences in homes, businesses, and everywhere people connect. We help our customers evolve their networks with cloud-based solutions that deliver ground-breaking speed, superior video quality, and exciting new services to their subscribers. There is power in connectivity – it enables people, businesses, and communities to grow and thrive. Learn more at vecima.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Vecima’s business strategies and objectives, and the anticipated benefits, performance, capabilities, availability, or adoption of its products and services. Such statements reflect current expectations and assumptions about future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Vecima undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.

Vecima Networks - Market Share Leader - 5th Consecutive Year!