In the Spotlight
- Emily Osment, 34, was notably absent from the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premiering on Disney+ on March 24.
- The actress played fan-favorite Lilly Truscott alongside Miley Cyrus for all four seasons from 2006 to 2011.
- Osment revealed via Instagram video that filming Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage prevented her from attending.
- The special was hosted by Alex Cooper and featured Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, and surprise guest Selena Gomez.
Twenty years after Hannah Montana first aired on the Disney Channel, the cast reunited, but one beloved face was missing from the celebration.
Emily Osment, who played Miley Stewart’s irreplaceable best friend Lilly Truscott for four seasons, was nowhere to be seen when the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premiered on Disney+ on March 24.
But before fans could worry, Osment took to Instagram to set the record straight, and her message was as warm and genuine as Lilly herself ever was.
A Scheduling Conflict, Not a Falling Out
As E! News reported, Emily Osment explained in a March 23 Instagram video that she was unable to join the reunion because she was actively filming her CBS series Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, making clear there was no bad blood among the cast.
In the video, she appeared on set alongside her co-star Montana Jordan, turning her absence into a playful moment while delivering a genuinely heartfelt tribute to the show.
Osment told fans she wanted to say hello and thank everyone who has stuck by the cast for all these years, adding that she remains so grateful they still love the show and is proud to be part of it.
The post gathered over 96,000 likes within hours, with fans flooding the comments with love for both Osment and her character. For a generation that grew up with Lilly Truscott, the explanation brought relief; their girl had not walked away from the legacy that shaped her.
A Show That Changed Her Life
As The Wrap reported, Osment shared a longer appreciation post alongside her video, writing that Hannah Montana changed her life, gave her a lifelong respect for the medium of comedy, and taught her discipline, patience, timing, and respect while working in an adult space so young.
She described the series as a once-in-a-generation television event, much like Olivia Rodrigo, another Disney Channel alumna who credits her early years for launching a global career, and credited it entirely for where her career stands today.
Osment concluded her message by thanking fans for letting her into their living rooms, expressing hope to still be there many years from now, and signing off simply as Lilly.
Meanwhile, the special itself featured Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Moises Arias, and a surprise appearance from Selena Gomez, hosted by Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper in front of a live audience. Just like the most popular TV shows of all time leave marks that last for decades, Hannah Montana’s cultural footprint has never faded.
What Comes Next for Osment
Emily Osment’s absence from the reunion was not a step back; it was proof of how far she has come.
Since Hannah Montana wrapped in 2011, Osment has built a steady television career through roles on Young and Hungry and Young Sheldon, and she now leads Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage alongside co-star Montana Jordan, a sitcom already renewed for its third season.
The reunion special may have aired without her, but Osment’s message made one thing clear: Lilly Truscott never really left.
With her current show thriving and a fanbase that has followed her every step, the summer of nostalgia belongs to her just as much as anyone on that Disney+ stage.
