Madison Pettis, the actress who rose to fame as a child on Disney Channel, recalled Thursday how she felt "like I was living the dream" after guest-starring in a 2007 crossover episode of Hannah Montana while starring on the That's So Raven spinoff Cory in the House.
Pettis, now 27, spoke to Decider while promoting her new Netflix film The Wrong Paris. She played Sophie Martinez, the daughter of the fictional president on Cory in the House, and appeared as the same character on a Season 2 episode of Hannah Montana, which followed Miley Cyrus' character as she juggled a double life as a pop star.
Disney Channel crossovers were a notable feature of the network's programming in the 2000s, drawing attention from young viewers and often bringing together casts from different series. Pettis said the crossover was a highlight of her early career and recalled being excited to watch the channel at home even after long days on set. "I think I was one of the only people on the channel that was going home and watching it after working on it all day," she said.
Pettis described Miley Cyrus' treatment of her on set as welcoming. She said Cyrus invited her to eat lunch in her dressing room with Emily Osment and allowed her to play with Cyrus' dog. Pettis said she brought DVDs and CDs for Cyrus to sign and that the pop star obliged. "She treated me like I was a cool eight-year-old," Pettis said. "It was very big sisterly. She let me hang out and was always really nice to me. She was not like, 'Oh, little girl.' She treated me like I was one of her friends. And I always think back on that."
Cyrus has recently teased plans to mark the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana in 2026, saying she hopes to create "something really, really special." Pettis said she would welcome any celebrations or performances tied to the anniversary. "Please! If she goes on tour or does even one show, I’m there," Pettis said. "I would love to hear her do those songs in her tone now. That would be literally my dream. I will be there."
Cory in the House ran as a spinoff of That's So Raven and aired in the late 2000s; Pettis' role as Sophie was among several young actors who gained prominence through Disney Channel programming and its cross-promotional events. Pettis has continued to work in film and television and is currently featured in The Wrong Paris, which is streaming on Netflix.
Her reflections underscore the lasting cultural impact of Disney Channel programming from that era and the connections formed among young performers who often crossed over into one another's series. Pettis' comments offer a firsthand account of the network's behind-the-scenes culture and the early-career experiences of actors who grew up in the Disney system.