Mitchel Musso said he was asked to join Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary special, but he felt it “wasn’t presented correctly” for him—he’d been waiting years to play Oliver Oken again in a new, proper episode. Emily Osment also missed the special due to filmi
Mitchel Musso didn’t just miss Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary special—he said he felt the moment wasn’t shaped the way he expected.
When asked on the “Joe Vulpis Podcast” on Wednesday, June 24, Musso, 34, said he’d been invited to appear. “Of course they asked me [to be in it],” he told host Joe Vulpis. “But, it wasn’t presented correctly [to me].”
Musso played Oliver Oken, Miley Stewart’s (Miley Cyrus) best friend, in more than 70 episodes of the classic Disney Channel series alongside Emily Osment’s Lilly Truscott. For him, the reunion wasn’t simply about being on camera again—it was about getting to do the one thing he’d wanted.
“I’ve been waiting ten years,” Musso stressed. “The people, they say, 20. My break’s been 10. It’s too long of a wait to do it in a way that isn’t even close to, in my opinion, correct.”
The anniversary special, which aired in March, leaned into a retrospective look back at Hannah Montana. Musso explained that meant he didn’t get the chance to actually reprise Oliver in a proper episode. He said he would relish that—down to the details.
“I need a wig,” Musso joked. “I’d want the hair, which is fine. I’ve worn [wigs] plenty of times on Disney. I’ve worn plenty of wigs. … I’d want to feel the part again. I’d want to put on that little polo again, and wear the … plaid shorts with the goofy shoes.”
Then he got more specific about what it would mean for him as an actor. “I’d want to play the character, yeah. Once I saw myself doing it, I’d say, ‘Oh, there you are!’ Let’s get out there and let’s do it.”
Musso wasn’t the only major cast member missing from the 20-year celebration. Emily Osment, 34, couldn’t appear because of filming commitments on the CBS sitcom Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. In a social media video shared at the time. she said. “We’re at Georgie & Mandy … and that’s why I was not able to be part of the 20-year reunion. because we are here shooting our show.”.
Osment added, “But I wanted to say hello and thank you to everybody that has stuck by us for all these years. I’m so grateful that you guys all still love the show. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
In March’s special, Cyrus, 33, reflected on memorable moments from Hannah Montana alongside host Alex Cooper. Celebrity guests included Chappell Roan and Selena Gomez.
Before the anniversary special aired, Musso also paid tribute to the show with his own Instagram post. In it, he wrote: “Hannah Montana wrapped around my heart and never really let go. We literally grew up with ya’ll — long days. crazy schedules. learning lines. cracking up between takes. and figuring out life while the cameras rolled. ” adding that “laughter can get you through the tough days” and that the confidence “still sticks with me every single day.”.
He also shouted out his co-stars. writing. “Miley. Emily. Jason [Earles]. Billy Ray [Cyrus]. Moises [Arias]. and the whole crew at Disney — you became my family through all the real. messy. beautiful moments. Thank you for believing in a goofy kid from Texas who wore some questionable outfits with a haircut like that. To all of you. thank you for welcoming me into your homes and hearts 20 years ago and still allowing me to be here today. I’m honored we get to share all of this together.”.
Hannah Montana ran for four seasons between 2006 and 2011. Classic episodes and the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special can be streamed via Disney+.
Mitchel Musso Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special Oliver Oken Emily Osment Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Miley Cyrus Alex Cooper Chappell Roan Selena Gomez Disney+
So he wanted it to be more about his character? 10 years for a wig??? lol
I didn’t even know there was a 20th reunion thing. Sounds like they just did it as a throwback montage and not an actual episode??
Wait Emily Osment missed it because of “filmi” or whatever? Like the article says he didn’t just miss it, but also she missed it… so who’s fault was it? Seems like scheduling drama but then he’s talking about the wig like that’s the real issue.
This is so Disney to me. They announce a reunion special and it’s like “here’s a recap, good luck” and the actors are like nah I need the actual storyline lol. Also he says it wasn’t presented correctly for him… but isn’t that literally what they decided? Idk man, sounds petty but also I get wanting to put on the polo again.