The Hannah Montana 20th anniversary isn’t the only thing Miley Cyrus is celebrating this week.
Cyrus took home the Innovator Award at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday night (March 26). The award was presented to Cyrus by Lainey Wilson, who once worked as a Hannah Montana impersonator. Wilson called Cyrus “one of my biggest inspirations.”
“Miley Cyrus is what happens when fearlessness meets evolution,” said Wilson. “She didn’t just grow up in front of the world. She redefined herself in front of it over and over — and then over again — from breaking out of a box that people tried to put her in.”
As Cyrus walked up to the stage and was about to begin her acceptance speech, the crowd chanted her name over and over again.
“They’re gonna ‘Luda’ me,” she said, referring to the speech cut-off sound at this year’s ceremony, hosted by Ludacris. “Someone tell Luda this does not count as my 45 seconds.”
Cyrus went on to shout out the milestone Hannah Montana anniversary, saying that this week celebrating has been “a dream come true.”
“Hannah Montana inspried me so much in my own career,” Cyrus said. “I fell in love with the idea that you can create a persona that gives you the confidence and the courage to perform authentically.”
Cyrus shared what innovation means to her and that it’s about making the journey of finding herself a fun one.
“I’ve always written songs and stories because I love it, and winning awards for that work is of course rewarding, but it is not my compass,” she said. “Because if it was I’m sure I’d end up very lost.”
She continued by speaking directly to her fans, with a note on how connecting with people across the world through her work is meaningful to her.
“When the win isn’t recognition, but making art that reaches the hearts of people I may never meet, it brings me a kind of joy that is deeply meaningful,” the innovator said. “Younger me is so honored to share this moment with you. I’m proud to stand here and tell you how much you mean to me.”
Cyrus concluded with a reference to Hannah Montana: “This really is the life.”
