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Emily Osment just revealed the real reason she’s missing from the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premiering today on Disney+. The actress, who played fan favorite Lilly Truscott, faced a scheduling conflict she couldn’t overcome. But her absence comes with a heartfelt message to fans who grew up with the iconic Disney Channel show.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Special: Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premieres March 24, 2026 on Disney+
- Emily’s Role: Played Lilly Truscott for four seasons from 2006 to 2011 on the original series
- Why She’s Out: Currently filming CBS’s Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage on set
- Her Message: Shared emotional Instagram video thanking fans hours before the premiere aired
A Scheduling Conflict Nobody Saw Coming
Emily Osment broke the news in an Instagram video posted March 23, just hours before the special hit Disney+. She explained that she couldn’t attend because her current CBS show has her locked in on set. “I was not able to be a part of the 20-year reunion because we are here shooting our show,” the 34-year-old revealed in the video message.
The conflict means Lilly Truscott will be noticeably absent from a special that celebrates two decades since the show’s 2006 debut. Despite the disappointment, Osment made sure fans knew how much the original series meant to her career and personal growth during the Disney Channel era.
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Emily’s Emotional Thank You to Loyal Fans
Instead of silence, Osment released a longer Instagram post expressing profound gratitude to the millions who watched her grow up onscreen. She called Hannah Montana “a once in a generation goliath of a television show” that totally transformed her life trajectory. The actress credited the series with teaching her discipline, patience, and how to work professionally in adult spaces while still a teenager.
“I can’t tell you what your sweet messages mean to me,” she wrote in the caption accompanying her video. The post gained over 96,000 likes within hours, with fans flooding the comments expressing their love for both Emily and her character Lilly.
What the Special Includes Without Osment
The 20th Anniversary Special will feature Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mitchel Musso, Moises Arias, and special guest Selena Gomez for the celebration. Host Alex Cooper will interview Miley in front of a live audience, with the show promising behind-the-scenes stories and musical performances. However, several main cast members including Osment and Jason Earles couldn’t participate in the event.
| Element | Details |
| Release Date | March 24, 2026 |
| Platform | Disney+ |
| Premiere Time | 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET |
| Host | Alex Cooper |
“Hannah Montana changed my life, it gave me a lifelong respect for this medium of comedy, it taught me discipline, patience, timing and respect working in an adult space so young.”
— Emily Osment, Instagram
How Miley Dreamed This Special Into Existence
Miley Cyrus revealed that the special didn’t even exist when she announced it to fans. She adopted a strategy from her godmother Dolly Parton, who advised her to promote projects before they exist so nobody can say no. “She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists,” Miley told Variety. And it worked. The special became reality, with Disney executives praising her vision.
The 33-year-old was completely collaborative with fans in mind during every decision. Disney executive Charlie Andrews stated that Miley “willed it into existence” with her determination that “this is for the fans,” demonstrating her commitment to honoring the show’s legacy and audience.
Will Emily Osment Return to Hannah Montana Eventually?
While Osment couldn’t attend the 20th anniversary special, her heartfelt message suggests she’s never distanced herself from the show emotionally. She specifically thanked fans for allowing her into their living rooms and expressed hope of being there for years to come. Her current role on Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage marks her biggest lead role since her Disney Channel days, keeping her extremely busy with production schedules that conflict with major reunion events. Will future Hannah Montana celebrations include her comeback? Only time will tell, but her emotional words suggest the door remains wide open for the beloved character Lilly to return someday.
Sources
- E! Online – Comprehensive interview with Emily Osment about her Instagram video explanation and gratitude message to fans
- TheWrap – Full coverage of Osment’s video message and her detailed Instagram caption expressing love for the show
- Variety – Miley Cyrus interview detailing how she promoted the special into existence before it was created
