Miley Cyrus is going viral, and not just for the nostalgia. During the premiere of the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary” special, the singer had the audience laughing with a series of jokes about host Alex Cooper, but online, fans are split on whether the comments were all in good fun or something more. Now, the moment is making waves on TikTok as viewers weigh in on what Miley Cyrus really meant.
Miley Cyrus Seemingly Shades Alex Cooper As ‘Creepy’ Amid ‘Hannahversary’
While explaining how the idea for the “Hannahversary” special came together, Miley didn’t hold back, saying, “I didn’t know what you all would want, so Alex being a super fan… kind of creepy.”
The crowd laughed, but Miley kept going. “She is also my neighbor, which is also creepy,” the actress said. “She got money, and then she moved next door to me.”
As the audience continued reacting, Miley doubled down on the joke. “Yeah, there was no other host,” she continued.
When recalling Alex’s move to her neighborhood, Cyrus said, “And she was like, ‘Oh my god, you live here,’ and she interviewed me at my house like 5 years ago, so you knew damn well where I live.”
She wrapped the moment with a more appreciative note. “But anyway, thank you for being this host,” she said to Alex. “Thank you for being so insanely dedicated to Hannah Montana.”
Fans Are Divided Over Cyrus’ ‘Creepy’ Comments About Alex Cooper
@briemznews #mileycyrus #alexcooper #hannahmontana #popculture #celebritynews ♬ original sound – BrieMZ Pop Culture News
While the audience seemed to take the comments as playful, the internet quickly turned it into a debate. Some viewers believe Miley was clearly joking and leaning into a comedic bit. “I’m sorry, this is such a stretch, she’s clearly joking,” one TikToker said. “This is a joke.”
Others, however, felt there may have been a hint of truth behind the humor. “I think she’s joking, but like also being serious lol,” another said.
And not everyone was feeling the host choice at all. “Soooo sick of the Alex Cooper hype,” one user said as another wrote, “Alex Cooper is peak mediocre white girl being elevated by the general public for literally no reason.”
Fans Call Out Missing Cast Members In ‘Hannah Montana’ Special
Beyond the viral moment, some fans expressed disappointment over who didn’t appear in the anniversary special.
Viewers pointed out that several major cast members were noticeably absent, including Mitchel Musso and Emily Osment, who played Miley’s best friends Oliver and Lily. Others mentioned missing fan-favorite characters like Roxy, portrayed by Frances Callier, and Jesse, played by Drew Roy.
While the special did feature appearances from Billy Ray Cyrus, Tish Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Miley’s sister, Noah, some fans felt it still lacked key elements that made the original show so iconic.
That said, the event wasn’t completely without familiar faces. Several cast members attended the premiere, including Cody Linley, Shanica Knowles, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Jason Earles, and Moisés Arias.
Miley Cyrus Goes ‘Full Hannah’ In Nostalgic 20th Anniversary Special
At one point, the nostalgia clearly hit home for Cyrus. “How could it have been 20 years?” Cyrus said, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she makes her way back to Miley Stewart’s famous kitchen set.
The special also included a sit-down interview with Alex Cooper, where Cyrus explained that the project was designed with her audience in mind, sharing that it was her way of honoring “the fans that grew up with me,” especially since a traditional concert wouldn’t have been as inclusive.
She also revealed she took a bold approach to making the special happen, admitting she promoted the “Hannahversary” before it was officially approved, something she says was inspired by Dolly Parton’s advice to speak things into existence.
Miley Cyrus Revisits Iconic Sets And Shares Emotional Moment With Dad Billy Ray
Throughout the special, Miley Cyrus took fans even deeper into the nostalgia, returning to the set of her iconic closet that once defined a generation. One of the most meaningful moments came when Cyrus was joined by her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, who famously played her dad on the show, and is her real-life dad as well.
During their sit-down, the two reflected on how closely their on-screen dynamic mirrored their real relationship. “It was art imitating life imitating art,” Billy Ray Cyrus said. “And you were always Miley to me.”