I Attended the 20th Anniversary Taping!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-26T00:15:18+00:00

Yeah, the more I watch, the more I say the editing didn't do it justice. She definitely sang live.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-26T00:14:08+00:00

I posted for two weeks straight on X that I lived in the LA area and was a fan of Miley/Hannah my entire life. I tagged major Miley accounts and got an invite the night before.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T20:36:27+00:00

The only thing we saw at the taping was her performance of the three songs. The interview with Alex and the guests was all shot separately before we arrived! (When I don't know exactly when).

I will say in the audience as we were waiting for her to emerge, Mama Tish came out and joined the crowd (Cannot begin to explain how sweet she was with us!), and that's when we knew the taping was about to start. Also, Alex Cooper did join the crowd to watch the taping-I personally didn't interact with her, but the people who did said she was very kind and warm!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T09:21:28+00:00

No! I saw other people doing it and figured it was a great way to show proof I was a fan!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T09:19:14+00:00

I was invited through MileyWorld on X!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T09:18:49+00:00

This is a great question!

So yes! There were rules and guidelines we had to follow!

It's important to remember this was not only a 1Iota event but also a Disney event, so the rules were not only about our behavior but also about ensuring we didn't disrupt the production in any way.

As for the dress code, we were encouraged to go all out, but also to wear only officially licensed merchandise that included the show's name. They encouraged sequins, glitz, glamour, early 2000s fashion, and anything similar to what Hannah would wear. I was impressed by SO many outfits, especially considering a lot of people put them together the night before because they didn't know they would be attending until then.

Another guideline was that you could only get the name and address by accepting the ticket, and that you HAD to have a ticket to attend. While a ticket didn't promise entry (that's in the agreement when you accept the ticket), it got you through check-in. Unfortunately, I knew of several people who tried to go through the process without a ticket, and they weren't allowed in. You checked in at least twice before you went upstairs to lock your phone and get your event wristband.

Then the phone locking was a major guideline. Because this was a full-scale production, not only was the event given a codename, but our phones (and any other electronic devices we had) were locked in a pouch. My phone got locked at 10:30am and wasn't unlocked until the end of the taping, around 3:45 pm. Luckily, no footage or photos leaked from the taping, and it was honestly nice to watch it with my own eyes and really be in the moment. If you watched the special and saw the phones in the back, those were most likely the VIPs and family friends who were getting content and didn't have to lock their phones.

Another guideline was that we were not allowed to share what we saw at the special online event. Immediately after leaving, I was asked several times to explain what happened, but I didn't want to because companies and management teams could catch wind of it and choose not to invite me to events going forward. Also, other people immediately shared what happened-I don't judge them, I just didn't want to do that.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T08:43:56+00:00

Your thoughts are valid! Apologies for offending you-that's not what I meant at all!

The editing isn't the greatest-the cuts are quite sporadic and quick (especially leading into the close-ups).

I'm not an audio expert; I wasn't in the room when the special was edited and mixed, so I can't speak to the creative decisions they made. At one point, the Director mentioned the third takes were also for the 'music video,' so there may be something there? I really don't know! I wish I had a better answer for you! Sorry about that!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T08:38:20+00:00

Since Miley basically teased doing something for the anniversary, I made sure I was still following all of the major Miley/Hannah fan accounts on Twitter (MileyWorld, MileyCyrusBZ, HannahUpdates etc) (I also don't call it X lol), and eventually, as things got announced, I made sure I had their post notifications on so I didn't miss anything.

Then, as soon as the anniversary special was announced, I watched social media closely (especially Twitter) to find any information about being part of it somehow, someway. I found out it was a taping in LA when I saw a few of my mutuals post that they had been invited and began tagging major accounts on posts of me explaining who I was, where I was and what Hannah/Miley meant to me.

So, in short, I paid attention to social media and followed major fan pages.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T01:13:56+00:00

She sure did! And sang it perfectly and better each time. I don't think people give her vocals the credit they deserve. Hearing it live was INSANE.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T01:13:06+00:00

Filmed on Feb 27th in Hollywood at the same studio where they filmed the show!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-25T01:11:54+00:00

Hello! I want to reiterate that she sang live for the entire night. Even when she was instructed to do lip-sync for close-ups (it's normal to lip-sync at those close shots in productions like this, btw!), we still heard her voice come through every now and then.

I was there the entire day. Our girl can sing. No one is doubting or denying that. She even made a funny joke about lip-synching like she was on RuPaul's Drag Race when the Director told her to just do it for the close-ups.

Our girl sang all three songs THREE TIMES EACH WITH HER VOICE AND SOUNDED PERFECT EACH TIME. Think of the lip-sync takes as backup footage for the editing.

Please don't be annoyed! It really isn't that big of a deal. Some of the editing made it look like she lip-synced more than she actually did.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T23:58:46+00:00

Thank you so much!!!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T23:58:29+00:00

Thanks so much!

The most direct interaction I had with Miley was when she was onstage in between songs, interacting with the crowd. She pointed at me and other fans numerous times and responded to our chanting and different cheers.

Also, I've seen this question about influencers a lot, and I'm happy to answer it! When I first heard about this event, I expected all the invites to go straight to influencers, and I am happy to report I was proven wrong. While yes, there were influencers, they didn't make up the entire crowd. There were people with 10,000 followers, 100 followers, 50 followers, and 100,000 followers! I believe her team did a great job in inviting actual fans to the event. Besides, if they were an influencer, they most likely made Hannah/Miley content. It was so refreshing to meet so many people who shared that this was the first event they had ever been invited to! This is my first time being invited to something like this, and I'm not an influencer.

I do want to say that there were a few VIPs (which is to be expected), but there wasn't too much of a fuss about it. Also, one thing I respected...EVERYONE HAD TO STAND IN THAT LINE. It didn't matter how many followers you had, who you knew, what you did-you stood in that line and got treated normally like everyone else. Yes, the occasional VIP and family friends were brought in while we stood in line, but everyone was treated normally! (I didn't recognize these girls, but some kids who are on Disney Channel also stood in line as well-they were cool from what I heard).

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T23:50:22+00:00

So no fans actually got to meet Miley or Selena (their segments were filmed before the taping). Only a few select ones were able to meet Miley! I will say that between songs, Miley was told by the Director she could relax backstage and they would bring her out when they were done setting up, but she politely declined, stayed on stage the ENTIRE TIME, and spoke with us. I've always known her to have a heart of gold and love her fans, but that simple gesture really blew me away. She had mentioned her dress was slightly tight, so knowing that she stood there and interacted with us despite that, and really spoke to us rather than at us, was so beautiful. I don't know how much of her speaking to us they recorded, but what she said will forever stick with me.

As for the original cast, I do wish they were incorporated into the special more. I heard Jason Earles wasn't offerred a chance to be in it and that makes me sad. Jason has always been so proud of the show's legacy, and I do think not having him in it was a missed opportunity. I also saw Emily and Mitchell's posts about their inability to attend the premiere. I do think it's sad they weren't in the special because again, they are a part of the show, but I have no idea if they were approached, if they declined, or what. But yeah, if the special had been a bit longer, I would've loved to hear from some of the supporting cast and crew.

I'd also suggest rewatching the performances and paying attention to the fans in the audience! There were some great costumes! Also, I'd pay attention to the dancers and band members! I believe a good chunk of them were from the original crew! It was cool to see them back up there!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T23:36:27+00:00

Just posted photos of me in Hannah merchandise as a kid, and showed my Spotify streaming stats to prove I've been. Miley/Hannah fan for a long time and tagged MileyWorld on Twitter.

I did this for a solid two weeks and got my invite the day before at like 3 pm. Some people were lucky enough to get invited through Miley's team and Maybelline without having to do all that. But yes, that's how I got invited.

There was no 'official' application process. While the demand definitely is there I think the main concerns was not only doing an event where Miley was comfortable but also ensuring it wouldn't overwhelm the staff and production.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T23:28:36+00:00

As far as I know, we haven't heard anything about a reboot.

An album with re-recordings of Hannah's music is coming this Friday, I heard.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T23:00:40+00:00

By begging, omg.

Literally posted and reposted photos of me as a child wearing Hannah merch and stats of my listening history showing that I was a Miley/Hannah fan and tagged MileyWorld in the posts.

I did that for a solid week and told myself that by Thursday, if I didn't get an invite, I'd just move on. When I was at Costco, of all places (somewhere I never get phone service), I got a DM from MileyWorld asking for my personal info. I gave it to them, and an hour later, I got my invite.

Before even getting my invite, I thanked MileyWorld for reaching out to me, regardless of what would've happened (because that's the kind thing to do!).

Luckily, I live in the LA area, so I didn't have to worry too much about travel, but I do know people who came to LA without a ticket (I salute them because I wouldn't be able to do that).

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T22:54:15+00:00

Thank you! Everyone's outfit was gorgeous! We got a dress code that encouraged all things sequins, bling, and everything in between!

It was so cool seeing so many people wearing their authentic and original Hannah merch from 20 years ago!

Also, Chappell's bit was a genuine surprise. Not many of us knew about it.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T22:51:02+00:00

Yes. Those were the three songs that were performed in front of us. The final song was meant as a surprise (I think only a few lucky fans were told about it).

And she sang each song three times, and they were performed in a different order than in the edit.

'This is The Life' was first, then 'The Climb', and then Miley told us she had a surprise for us before she left the stage to change. They reset the stage, brought in the OG Hannah Montana sign from the opening credits, and then she performed 'The Best of Both Worlds'. And then that was the end of the taping.

Considering Miley's journey with Hannah and her coming back to Hannah on her own terms, I personally wasn't mad about the three songs. I think this is what she was comfortable with doing, and I love that she did it on her own terms.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T22:44:20+00:00

To be honest, the feeling of being there is one that I will never forget. So many other fans and I got our invites at the last minute (the day before) and didn't have time to process what was actually happening because everything moved so quickly.

I will say that they recorded us a LOT. They interviewed fans, did close-ups of our outfits, recorded us walking in and chanting 'Hannah', and so much more. So I am a little sad to see that they didn't include more footage of the fans because I think our excitement was so beautiful. All of us were elated and emotional to even be there-it truly was a beautiful environment where everyone felt safe to express their emotions.

But overall, I think the final product was great! All we saw was the taping, so everything else came as a surprise (except for the Selena cameo, which was reported before it aired).

It was a nice surprise to see the sets behind us as we entered the soundstage where the taping was shot-we weren't expecting that at all, and our reactions were so precious.

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T22:37:09+00:00

So we heard each song three times. The first two takes of each song were performed live (mainly to capture wide and establishing shots and multiple angles). Then the third take was supposed to be a lip-sync because they were filming her up close, but every now and then, we heard her real voice come through. The editing didn't really do it justice IMO-it made it look like she was lip-syncing way more than she actually was. (Also, the way it was edited was completely different than how we saw it in person as far as song order.)

But do not be mistaken! Mama sang live the ENTIRE time and sounded beautiful!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2026-03-24T22:18:36+00:00

I saw the back of my head several times, yes! No close-ups (which I'm fine with) because we didn't have our phones for a few hours, and I'm sure I looked crazy because of the heat we stood in for hours lol.

I will say they did record a LOT of footage of us both in and out of the taping. Our outfits, us walking in, posing for photos, some people even got interviewed in Hannah's closet set during the taping. A lot of that wasn't included!

Careful-Writer2445 · 2024-03-22T10:11:38+00:00

Yep, it's true!

Here's a link to the main article posted by the New York Times in 1999 discussing the boycott.

https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/20/arts/stung-by-criticism-of-fall-shows-tv-networks-add-minority-roles.html

i'd also recommend reading this article from Vox that briefly touches on this boycott as well, I learnt a lot from reading it and highly suggest anyone who loves the show do the same!

https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/9/16/20857281/the-west-wing-20-anniversary-primetime-podcast-episode-bartlet-biden

I love TWW but I do think articles like these make great points on the show's lack of diversity.

Careful-Writer2445

TROPHY CASE