Miley Cyrus teased Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special before it existed

Miley Cyrus has revealed that she began promoting a Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special before Disney had even considered making one.

The singer and actress has explained that she deliberately started talking about the project publicly in the hope it would encourage Disney executives to eventually bring it to life.

Speaking to Variety, Miley explained that the unusual strategy was inspired by advice from her godmother, music legend Dolly Parton.

"I learned this terrible habit - but I actually think it was good advice - from Dolly," she said. "She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no."

The Flowers hitmaker continued, "So I just started promoting a Hannah Montana 20th-anniversary special that literally did not exist."

Miley went on to note that she has always been aware of the lasting connection fans have with the series.

"I think even Disney sometimes forgets the connection between me and Hannah," she shared. "It's not just a TV show. I see daily how important Hannah is to people. When I travel, people bring me Hannah merch. They ask, 'Are you ever going to do another season?'"

Disney exec Charlie Andrews told the publication that Miley was "adamant" about making an anniversary special for the fans.

"She willed it into existence," he stated. "The thing she was adamant about is that this is for the fans. That has gone into literally every decision she has made."

Elsewhere in the interview, Miley said that preserving the spirit of the show's music was an important part of the project.

"We did not want irony. This is not a joke," she explained. "I didn't want this to be a viral moment. My point of doing this was not to break the internet."

Miley added that she wants her fans to "feel seen" because her "entire life is because of that loyalty".

The Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special will air on Disney+ on 24 March.