Hannah Montana Was Almost Played by a Different Actress

It's hard to imagine anyone else but Miley Cyrus playing the best of both worlds in the hit Disney series Hannah Montana. After four seasons, a movie, and even a world tour, Miley was the queen during her time as the double agent pop star - and she beat out a whole lotta girls to get that role. According to the series' original casting director, Lisa London, Cyrus beat out "over 1200 girls" to get the role. And sweet niblets, we couldn't imagine it any other way!

Fast forward over 15 years, and we are finally learning who else was in the running for the highly-coveted spot. Amongst a few rumors about who was running for the role at the time, Lisa London decided to set the record straight on her TikTok. The casting director addressed the original rumor that singer Belinda almost took home the role, saying, "I wanted to let everyone know that Belinda, who is lovely by the way, was never in the top three for the role of Hannah." Which now begs the question: who was in the top three?

Two years before she was formally known as Little J on the hit CW show Gossip Girl, Taylor Momsen was in the top three competing for the role of Hannah Montana! We couldn't imagine her not being Jenny from Brooklyn, but she still went on to become a rockstar (just not on TV). Momsen became the lead singer of the band, The Pretty Reckless! In London's TikTok video, she revealed that Daniella Monet was also a top finalist to play the teenager. Although she didn't land the role, she starred in Victorious alongside Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice. 

@lisalondoncasting @fernandacortesx love your videos and wanted to share some insight on the casting of Hannah Montana #hannahmontana #belinda #disney #mileycyrus #disneychannel #greenscreenvideo #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Lisa London Casting

So, now that Lisa herself finally addressed the rumors, we can all move on-right? Well, kind of. Disney Channel stars Aly and AJ Michalka shook things up for all Disney fans when AJ tweeted that "[Former Disney Channel president] Gary Marsh originally offered the role of 'Hannah Montana' to Aly, and I was offered the role of 'Lilly Truscott." She added, "I know this so doesn't matter, but I thought I'd chime in." Although they allegedly turned down the roles, they both went on to star in Disney Channel originals later on. And to think what could have been...