Where The Cast Of ‘Hannah Montana’ Is Now

In a time that was truly cherished, Hannah Montana ruled our screens for five years, where a teenager juggled being a regular girl with being a secret popstar, which in hindsight, sounds kind of exhausting. But it worked. What made the show such a hit was the chemistry the cast had, sometimes so much so that we accepted the most ridiculous plot lines without a question, though we side-eyed it a little first (I mean, Lilly was Miley’s best friend, but took so long to figure out she was actually Hannah? Someone who Lilly’s also a huge fan of? I’m not really buying it, but you know, it’s fun!)

Spanning four seasons, an original movie, tons of catchy songs, and sold-out tours, the show gave Miley Cyrus the platform to become the global sensation she is today. In 2026, the cast of Hannah Montana has scattered across the entertainment map. While some are still starring on TV, some have taken a step back from the spotlight, and some, are hosting a podcast about their Disney past (because why not), which I believe is the most iconic behavior of all. So where exactly did everyone end up and what’s the cast of Hannah Montana up to now? Read on to find out! 

Miley Cyrus (Miley Stewart/ Hannah Montana)

Let’s start with the obvious: When Miley Cyrus left Hannah Montana, she pretty much built an empire. She broke away from her Disney image and carved a new space for herself, reinventing herself and her music for the last decade. Straight off of Hannah Montana, Miley entered her acting era with films like The Last Song (a classic Nicholas Sparks adaptation that emotionally wrecked me for a while), the teenage drama that was very of its time, LOL, and my personal favorite and the underrated, So Undercover, amongst others.

And just when you think she’s fully moved on from Hannah Montana, she circled back to her Disney roots. Case in point: the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special that dropped on Disney+ this year. Miley leaned into the nostalgia and took a trip down memory lane, even reuniting with Selena Gomez who played her on-screen nemesis, Mikayla. 

One To Watch: If you loved the light-hearted, undercover mystery energy of Miss Congeniality, then the aptly titled So Undercover will probably become your next guilty pleasure. 

Emily Osment (Lilly Truscott)

Playing Miley’s best friend Lilly Truscott, Emily Osment built a steady post-Disney career. While she dipped her toes into music as well (as one does because apparently that was in everyone’s contract), Osment found her groove in acting. She stuck with Disney for a bit with Dadnapped, reuniting with her Hannah co-stars Jason Earles and Moisés Arias, but then went on to star in Freeform’s Cyberbully (a movie that I think more people should watch.) 

Her biggest win (and cliffhanger; something I’m still upset about) came with Young & Hungry, where she led the series as Gabi Diamond, a charming chef, who is oftentimes frustrating because of how much she meddles in others’ business. Young & Hungry allowed Osment to shine in a comedic role, which she also honed in Netflix’s Pretty Smart. From there, she turned up in Young Sheldon in a recurring role, which was so well-received that she got a starring role in its spin-off, Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, which is still airing currently.  

One To Watch: If the friendship, romance, and questionable antics in New Girl made it your comfort show (especially Season 4), then Pretty Smart hits a similar sweet spot with five people living under the same roof, and of course, it’s a pandemonium (in a fun way!)

Mitchel Musso (Oliver Oken)

The third part of their best friend trio, Oliver Oken played by Mitchel Musso, was the chaotic yet well-meaning best friend that every show needs. Post Hannah Montana, Musso leaned into both acting and music (“Welcome to Hollywood” is still on my playlist and has no business being that catchy.) 

Musso also stayed in Disney’s orbit for a beat, starring in Pair of Kings and voicing Jeremy Johnson from Phineas and Ferb (he was the calm to Candace’s storm). However, his career took a turn after certain legal issues, and he gradually took a step back from public-facing roles, and has since then kept a low profile compared to his co-stars. Regardless, fans will agree that Oliver Oken is one of the funniest sidekick characters, and I will also stand by that.  

One to Watch: If you ever enjoyed Drake & Josh’s humor, then Pair of Kings taps into that same brand of comedy. 

Jason Earles (Jackson Stewart)

The one character that I think deserved his own spin-off (perhaps with Rico) just because of how hard he made me laugh is Jason Earles’ Jackson Stewart, Miley’s older brother. Am I wildly biased towards him and think he’s the best character on the show? Yes, and I have no regrets. After Hannah Montana, Earles stayed active by showing up in episodes of different shows like Boston Legal and Best Friends Whenever before landing a main role in Kickin’ It, even directing a couple of episodes. 

After making a cheeky and not-so-subtle Hannah Montana reference on Just Roll with It, he appeared in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (phew, that title is always a mouthful) in 2022. These days he’s hosting the Hannah Montana-dedicated Best of Both Our Worlds podcast; it’s very on brand and I love that for him. Honestly, I’m still waiting for a real-life version of the Oliver-and-Jackson cheese jerky business. Just like Hannah Montana, some ideas also deserve a revival. 

One to Watch: If Julie and the Phantoms made you tap your feet and sing along, then High School Musical: Musical: The Series leans into the same ‘burst into song’ vibe. 

Moisés Arias (Rico Suave Jr.)

Rico Suave Jr. was diabolical on his own, but with Jackson, he was an absolute delight (their frenemies dynamic was a highlight of the show!) Moisés Arias embodied the tiny tyrant Rico and his comedic evilness on Hannah Montana, but post-show he pivoted hard into indie films and creative projects. 

He appeared in films like The Kings of Summer and Five Feet Apart, showcasing a completely different side of his range. On television, Arias was cast in a main role in Jean-Claude Van Johnson and recently, Fallout, which is an Amazon Prime Video series based on the namesake video game. He unexpectedly became the most artsy alumni from the Hannah bunch, and worked behind the scenes in photography, producing, and directing as well (what can’t he do?) building a niche for himself, which I think is so cool. 

One to Watch: Are video game adaptations like HBO Max’s The Last of Us your jam? Then, add Fallout to your must-watch list. It’s just as good. 

Billy Ray Cyrus (Robbie Ray Stewart)

Billy Ray Cyrus was already a country star before he was cast as Miley’s dad, Robbie Ray Stewart (you might know him from the chart-topping hit single “Achy Breaky Heart.”) However, Hannah Montana introduced him to a whole new slew of fans as the ultimate TV dad (in my opinion, second to Danny Tanner on Full House) who makes you think with his advice, then makes you laugh with his jokes (and always has a guitar on hand.)

After the series closed its curtains, Cyrus continued to sing, of course, but also acted in Christian films like Like a Country Song and shows like Still the King, lent his voice to the animated film Glisten and the Merry Mission, and collaborated with Miley and the rest of the Cyrus family in Carpool Karaoke: The Series. His 2019 song, “Old Town Road” with Lil Nas X created waves, winning two Grammy awards. In 2026, he remains a recognizable figure in country music, even though his personal life has been making some headlines. Cyrus showed up in the anniversary special as well, reminiscing about the good old days with Miley.

One to Watch: Searching for an animated Christmas movie that’s not The Polar Express? Then give Glisten and the Merry Mission a chance.  

Miley Stewart’s Love Interests 

I think this entry is the most important; we have to talk about Miley’s love interests on the show and what they’re up to now! Before we had Team Conrad versus Team Jeremiah in The Summer I Turned Pretty, we had Team Jake versus Team Jesse in Hannah Montana. Though Jake and Jesse were the ones who were spoken about the most, we can’t forget about Miley’s love story in Tennessee, and one other who has gone on to ‘become’ Elvis (if you know who I’m talking about.)

Jake Ryan, played by Cody Linley, was Miley’s on-again-off-again actor boyfriend in Hannah Montana. After writing him off in Season 4 for cheating on Miley in the show, Linley popped up in Melissa & Joey, and continued his streak of playing charming dudes. He also competed in the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars, placing fourth. In the anniversary special, when asked about who she’d choose now, Miley went with Jake, and it’s giving me ‘He Could Be the One’ flashbacks.

Drew Roy plays Jesse, Hannah’s bad boy ex-band member, turned Miley’s boyfriend (it’s a whole thing, trust me.) Jesse was the option I was rooting for, as he turned out to be the emotionally stable one out of the lot. After Hannah Montana, Roy went on to star in Falling Skies, proving he could handle both aliens and Miley’s double life (swoon), and had a supporting role in The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson. In a real-life plot twist I didn’t see coming, Roy’s final role was as a guest star on the iCarly reboot before becoming a pilot who now lives a quiet life with his wife and two kids. 

Travis (Lucas Till) is the one we don’t talk about enough. He was Miley’s childhood friend turned love interest from Hannah Montana: The Movie and arguably was one who showed Miley what life was like when it doesn’t revolve around stage lights and performances. Till went on to join the cast of The Spy Next Door with Jackie Chan and the X-Men universe as Havok in X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and X-Men: Apocalypse. He also was the titular character in MacGyver, and had a main role in the 2025 Netflix Western series, The Abandons.

And then, there’s Austin Butler, who we can’t forget. He came on-screen for approximately 2 minutes in Season 2, Episode 7, but managed to change the trajectory of his career forever by nabbing a main role in The Carrie Diaries and The Shannara Chronicles, before landing the role as the leading man in Elvis and Dune: Part Two, the former being a performance so convincing that it won him a Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. Who would’ve guessed the teenager who was so afraid of horror movies in Hannah Montana would turn out to be such a prolific actor!