After Miley Cyrus' Shade, Drew Roy Speaks Out on Hannah Montana Anniversary
Hannah Montana alum Drew Roy brushed off the drama around Miley Cyrus’ 20th anniversary special, celebrating the milestone in an April 1 Instagram video — even as the pop star seemed to throw shade his way.
If you missed the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special because you were busy, say, living a normal adult life, here is the short version: Miley stirred the pot, Drew Roy took the high road, and somehow the Jake vs. Jesse debate is back like it never left.
Drew Roy pops in, stays gracious
Drew Roy, now 39, jumped on Instagram on Wednesday, April 1 to mark the 20-year milestone. He kept it upbeat and thankful, saying the run-up to the 'Hannah-versary' has basically been a highlight reel of old memories. He also watched the Disney+ special at home with his wife and spent the night telling her behind-the-scenes stories. Yes, he really said he feels like he got to live two lives: the LA chapter and the current family chapter.
'I honestly feel like I have lived the best of both worlds.'
He shouted out Miley, Emily Osment, and the rest of the cast as 'ridiculously funny' and made a point of crediting the show for changing his life after being plucked from a small Southern town. No drama from him, just gratitude.
Meanwhile, Miley chose a side
On the Disney+ anniversary special, Miley Cyrus, 33, sat down with 'Call Her Daddy' host Alex Cooper, who asked the eternal question: Team Jake or Team Jesse? Miley picked Jake. Her reasoning: Cody Linley, 36, has always been publicly complimentary about her, while she says she has not heard a 'peep' from Drew in years. For what it is worth, Cody hit the red carpet for the event; Drew did not.
Why Drew skipped the red carpet
Roy did not get into the logistics, but his wife, Renee Gardner, did. On Instagram, she explained that Drew still loves being on set and is proud of the work and friendships the business gave him. But life shifted: they got married, had kids, and traded LA hustle for a quieter place where their boys can hang with cousins, run around outside, and just be normal. She also appeared to 'like' a few spicy comments from fans who did not love Miley calling Drew out. Drew stayed out of that part completely.
Quick refresher: Jesse, Jake, and that triangle
- Drew Roy played Jesse in seasons 3 and 4 of Hannah Montana, which ran on Disney Channel from 2006 to 2011.
- Jesse was the guitarist in Hannah's band and eventually became a love interest for pop-star alter ego Hannah/Miley Stewart.
- Complication: Miley was also dating teen heartthrob Jake Ryan (Cody Linley), creating a very Disney Channel love triangle.
- Miley initially chose Jake, despite his earlier cheating, which annoyed plenty of fans at the time.
- She and Jake later split, and she started seeing Jesse again in the final stretch of episodes.
Where Drew is now
These days, Roy has a day job you would not guess: he is an airline pilot. He and Gardner have two kids, and he says the Hannah Montana fandom is still alive in their world because their kids' friends are just finding the show. He also gave Miley credit for her post-Disney career lift-off, which is a neat bit of symmetry considering his own aviation pivot.
The special
'Hannah Montana: 20th Anniversary Special' is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. If you are reliving the Jake/Jesse years, you are not alone. And if you were hoping for a feud, Drew is not playing that game.