Photo: Getty Images
Emily Osment may have missed out on participating in the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, but she was there in spirit.
On Monday (March 23), Osment shared an Instagram video explaining that she was unable to join the reunion due to filming her show George & Mandy's First Marriage. Despite this, she still managed to celebrate the occasion and share how much her role as Miley Stewart's BFF Lilly Truscott — and Hannah Montana's right-hand woman Lola Luftnagle — has meant to her career, admitting she is "so proud to be a part" of Hannah Montana's legacy.
"Hannah Montana changed my life, it gave me a lifelong respect for this medium of comedy, it taught me discipline, patience, timing and respect working in an adult space so young," she wrote in the caption. "I've met thousands of HM fans over the years, fans that now have children watching this show and fans that literally work beside me every day, like [George & Mandy costar] Montana [Jordan]. He's seen every episode, don't be fooled."
She continued, "I can't tell you what your sweet messages mean to me and how lucky I feel to have been apart of this once in a generation goliath of a television show. Thank you for letting me into your living rooms and I hope to still be there many years from now. Would never be where I am without you guys, working on another beautiful show I love so dearly. With all my heart, THANK YOU! ❤️ Lilly"
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premiered on Disney+ on Tuesday, March 24, 20 years to the day that the beloved series first debuted on the Disney Channel. Hosted by Call Her Daddy's Alex Cooper, the special gives fans a deeper look into "the iconic series that defined a generation" and the lasting impact it has had on fans and star Miley Cyrus over the years.