Pop star Miley Cyrus was initially rejected for the iconic Hannah Montana role she played in the hit Disney show of the same name because the makers thought she was ‘too small and too young’ for it, she said while receiving the Disney legend title at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event held in Anaheim, California on Sunday.

“I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, which is where I sent my audition tapes from. After those tapes were sent in, my mom got a message that what I said was great but I was too small and too young for the part,” Cyrus, who became the youngest person to receive a Disney legend title, said in her speech at the event.

“A year and on goes by and I forget all about Hannah Montana. But then we get a call, and they tell us that they fully casted the show, they already shot a pilot but the show isn’t working. So, they want me to come out to LA and audition in person,” she added, revealing that she flew to Los Angeles with her mother and she was selected after a few auditions.

In her speech, she reminisced about the start of her Disney journey in 2005 and reflected on how her iconic character shaped her life. Cyrus shot to fame with Disney’s 2006 teen sitcom Hannah Montana which portrayed her as a teenager living a double life as a pop sensation and an ordinary girl.

The Wrecking Ball singer became emotional on stage as she addressed the audience following Lainey Wilson’s performance of her hit song The Best of Both Worlds. “I’m definitely going to cry,” she said as she received a standing ovation from the crowd.

“We shot the pilot and I went back to Nashville (Cyrus’ hometown) to wait, but I had gotten a taste of what my life could be like and from that moment on, I did not want anything else,” the singer, who clinched her first Grammy for her song Flowers this year, said, after describing how joyful she felt during her stay in the vibrant environment of Los Angeles for the auditions.

“They gave away tickets at the Glendale mall where I would have my first free concert. The first song I opened with was titled This Is the Life, which of course, no one knew because, in reality, I was a little girl in a blonde wig at the mall with a big dream,” she said, adding, “But in my heart I was Hannah Montana, and I was so proud to be.”

Signing off, Cyrus dedicated her award to Hannah Montana and her fans. “A little bit of everything has changed since that day but at the same time, nothing has changed at all. I stand here, still proud, to have been Hannah Montana, because she made Miley in so many ways. This award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing loyal fans and to everyone who has made my dream a reality. To quote the legend herself — ‘This is the life’”, she said.

Hannah Montana garnered over 5 million viewers per episode since its premiere in March 2006. Its success followed the release of its soundtrack in the form of five studio albums, a Billboard Hot 200 record break, the Best of Both Worlds Tour, a concert film and a theatrical film.