Music duo and sisters, Aly & AJ, have revealed that they were originally offered the roles of Hannah Montana and best friend Lily Truscott in the hit Disney Channel TV show.
Hannah Montana famously starred Miley Cyrus alongside her dad Billy-Ray Cyrus, who also played her country rockstar dad in the series, and Emily Osment, who played sidekick Lilly Truscott.
But the Cyrus family alongside Osment were not always going to be the stars of the popular franchise along with the films and games.
Appearing on Between Cut and Action podcast, Aly Michalka, 33, shared that “I don’t think [Miley] even knew, or maybe at that point they started bringing in girls and actually casting it, you know, instead of just sending out offers.
“I at least know that I was the first because I was attached to a show that was already on the channel and was just ending.”
She continued: “And then I think once I passed, you know, they came back one more time and were like, ‘Are you sure ‘cause we’re gonna go on to the next person and offer it to another couple people?’
“I was like, ‘I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to do a show about singing. I don’t want to do a show where I play two people.
“I don’t want to do a show where I’m singing, I’m a solo artist, but in my real life I’m actually a duo with my sister. I think this is going to be insanely confusing for people. And I think at that point I was 16 and a half, and you know, I was growing out of Disney.”
The actress starred alongside her sister AJ Michalka, 31, in the Disney film Cow Belles in 2006 and later appeared in the cheer squad drama, Hellcats with Ashley Tisdale from 2010 to 2011.
AJ, or Amanda Joy, currently stars in the 80s pastiche series The Goldbergs.
The sisters are also best known as the music duo Aly & AJ for their hit song, Potential Breakup Song, released in 2007.
I adore Lisa London but I have some tea beyond the tea to spill. Gary Marsh originally offered the role of “Hannah Montana” to Aly and I was offered the role of “Lilly Truscott” (I know this so doesn’t matter but thought I’d chime in) https://t.co/yCH7BIfgmT
— Aly & AJ (@alyandaj) August 22, 2022
Aly also said on the podcast: “It’s funny because I sat next to...Emily Osment and she was at the Dodgers game, and we sat next to each other. We hadn’t seen each other in like 15 years, it was really funny.
“It’s interesting because that seems like a total lifetime ago and I remember being so sure about saying no. Like it wasn’t even like there was even a question of like 5% wanting to do this.”
AJ later tweeted from their joint Twitter account on Monday, saying: “I adore Lisa London but I have some tea beyond the tea to spill. Gary Marsh originally offered the role of “Hannah Montana” to Aly and I was offered the role of “Lilly Truscott” (I know this so doesn’t matter but thought I’d chime in)”.
This follows Hannah Montana’s casting director, Lisa London, revealing that Cyrus beat Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen and Victorious’ Daniella Monet to the role.
