Twenty years after “Hannah Montana” first aired, it continues to feel as if Miley Cyrus was tailor-made for that role. The line between her and the fictional character has often blurred, and this remains true in many aspects today. However, discovering that another Disney Channel veteran was not only considered for the part but essentially had it is quite disconcerting to me. Furthermore, learning that it was one-half of a renowned sisterly musical duo, both of whom were child stars and have continued their careers, is what’s truly astonishing.
In the early 2000s, musical duo and sisters Aly & AJ (Michalka), were frequent features on Disney Channel. Their music videos often aired on the channel, and they even co-starred in the original movie “Cow Belles.” Aly also starred in the Disney sitcom “Phil of the Future.” During their appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, the actress from “Easy A” was asked about rumors of her contending for the lead role in Hannah Montana. Here’s what she had to say:
At that moment in time, I had received an opportunity. The series “Phil of the Future” hadn’t concluded yet. It felt as though they anticipated that Phil, perhaps, wouldn’t continue or informed us about potentially skipping a third season. Gary, who was the head of the channel at that time (Gary Marsh), said, ‘This pilot has arrived, and we believe you’re an excellent fit for it.’ I recall reading it and thinking, ‘Hold on, but I’m pursuing music as Aly, and this dual role of playing Hannah might create some confusion.’
It’s mind-blowing to ponder that Aly Michalka could have been the one who donned the Hannah Montana persona. Kudos to Gary Marsh and his team for recognizing the Hellcats actress, given their prior familiarity with her talent. Michalka outshone two other hopefuls, Daniella Monet and Taylor Momsen, in securing the role of HM. Reflecting on these three options, I firmly believe Michalka was the ideal pick for the part.
The 35-year-old singer clarified that her decision to decline the job offer wasn’t solely due to potential viewer confusion. She also expressed her desire to know if there was an opportunity for her sister, AJ Michalka, in the project. Although executives proposed a specific role, it didn’t align with their expectations for both sisters.
Initially, I wondered how AJ fit into this, then they suggested he could play the role of a best friend. However, it felt more like my show than Hannah and Lily’s show, which was surprising considering our relatively short time on the channel. I was around 17 at that point, finding it amusing given our brief tenure. I had joined the channel at 13, and by the time it ended, I was almost 17, so I believe that offer came when I was close to being 17 years old. That’s when I recall thinking, ‘I feel like I’ve accomplished what I wanted here on the channel.’
In the planned crossover between Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place, Miley Cyrus didn’t appear alongside Selena Gomez due to scheduling conflicts, as a fellow cast member has revealed.
Considering Aly & AJ potentially tackling one of Disney’s most cherished shows feels downright astonishing. Grasping how they might compare to Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment in these roles is challenging. However, I can understand the motivation of the actress from iZombie to branch out, given her desire to explore areas beyond children’s TV. After all, Hannah Montana became a massive success, leading some to speculate if it could become another timeless Disney Channel original series that experiences a revival. Yet, I find it unlikely that Miley Cyrus, who cherishes her role as Hannah, would reprise the part.
The realm of casting is often complex, and every decade has its share of “what if” scenarios, with Disney Channel’s High School Musical not excluded. Had Hannah Montana been portrayed by Aly Michalka instead of Miley Cyrus, the outcome might have been drastically different. However, given how events unfolded, I believe everything worked out for the better in the end.
With a Disney+ subscription, you’ll have access to stream all four seasons of “Hannah Montana,” as well as “Cow Belles” and “Phil of the Future.
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2025-01-13 22:37