Black People Love Paramore

Episode: Hannah Montana: 20th Anniversary

Host: Sequoia Holmes
Guests: Amber & Amanda
Release Date: March 19, 2026

Overview

This episode celebrates the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana with deep fandom, sharp critique, and abundant nostalgia. Host Sequoia Holmes (donned in a Hannah wig and fit) and Disney Channel experts Amber and Amanda discuss why Hannah Montana resonates with Black audiences, dissect the show’s cultural impact, and fondly reminisce about their favorite songs, episodes, and moments. The conversation is rich and humorous, weaving in musical breakdowns, academic analysis, sisterly dynamics, and interactive games—all underscored by a love for Black scene kids and underappreciated pop culture niches.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Does Hannah Montana Matter—Especially for Black Fans?

[07:02] Amanda: Discusses the show's “double consciousness” as paralleling W.E.B. Du Bois' concept—“it's like that mask you present to the world and your secret identity, who you know yourself to be... you don't have to compartmentalize different parts of your identity... you can be whole.”

• The hosts note that marginalized people, and Black girls in particular, connect deeply to the “best of both worlds” narrative.
• The panel coins the term "Hennessy Montana" for Black Hannah fans, riffing on “Tennessee whiskey” and remixing the title to reflect Black cultural stylings.
  [02:40] Amanda: "You know, Hennessy Montana."
  [02:43] Sequoia: "Because it's like Tennessee whiskey!"

2. Premise, Suspension of Disbelief, and Pop Culture Comparisons

• Recap: Miley Stewart is a Tennessee girl living a double life as pop star Hannah Montana.
• The group debates which superhero her double life most resembles—Kim Possible, Superman, or Spider-Man.
• As kids, they admit they didn’t clock the wig-based identity switch as implausible; makeup and transformation tropes in Disney led them to believe it was possible.
• The show's Southern setting and culture resonate with Black Southern viewers.

3. Music: Favorites, Impact & Punk-Pop Crossovers

• Panelists bond over song choices:
  • Amber: "Rockstar," "Just Like You," "If We Were a Movie"
  • Amanda: "I Got Nerve," "Nobody's Perfect" ("Nobody's Perfect has crack in it" - Amanda [15:03])
• Discussion of the differences in music style—Hannah = pop, Miley (as herself) = more pop-punk, grunge.
• Comparison of audience reactions at the Best of Both Worlds tour when Miley Cyrus vs Hannah Montana took the stage ([08:36]).
• Citing the gospel qualities of “The Climb” ([41:00] onwards):
  • Amanda: "That is such a good karaoke song... Every time I sing on karaoke, my eyes are closed. No, bitch."
  • Amber: “[‘The Climb’] is a gospel. I get chills.”

4. Blackness, Disney Channel & Changing Representation

• Tracing how Hannah Montana fit into a viewing history of Black Disney Channel icons like Proud Family and That's So Raven.
• Amber reflects on the Disney Channel acting style as descended from Raven-Symoné:
  • [20:18] “The acting that Miley is doing is a direct descendant of something that Raven birthed on Disney Channel… and Raven’s model somehow was what they wanted to take, probably because it was Black.”
• Points out the shift in Disney Channel tone and representation from Raven to Hannah Montana era.

5. Industry Pressures & Public Scrutiny

• Miley’s struggle with her persona and how being “blonde” was coded as more valuable, on-screen and off ([07:39] Amber, [08:10] Amber).
• Reflection on media backlash against Miley as she grew up ("Miley's shame" headlines about the Vanity Fair cover at 15, criticism for pole dancing and marijuana use, etc. [51:25–53:45]).
• Amanda: “The nature of Disney Channel was like, they were pitting all these girls against each other already…” [47:34]

6. Intersecting Pop and Country—Taylor Swift Parallels

• Hannah Montana and Taylor Swift both debut in 2006; panel jokes about Disney trying to "capture lightning in a bottle."
• Miley’s musical persona seen as a Shania Twain mini-me, while Taylor Swift’s was a Faith Hill analog ([32:18] Amanda, [33:13] Amber).
• Noted: Taylor Swift appears in the Hannah Montana movie and co-wrote "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home".

7. Fun Factoids & Trivia

• Episode titles are all riffs on real song titles ([42:33] Sequoia).
• Discussion of cameos: Corbin Bleu, Larry David, Donny Osmond, Lisa Rinna, Dr. Phil, and more—with a “Celebrity Cameos” quiz segment ([56:48]–[65:16]).
• Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment didn’t get along for the first two years ([47:03] Sequoia), but became friends by season three.

8. Sister Dynamics & Fangirl Culture

• Amber & Amanda share stories of how fandom and going to concerts/bonding over Disney Channel shaped their sisterly relationship ([69:13] and onward).
• Discussion of the nuances and sometimes combative, always loving, nature of being close in age as sisters.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Amanda [07:02]:
  “It is kind of like that double consciousness… that mask that you present to the world and your secret identity, who you know yourself to be.”
• Amber [20:18]:
  “The way the acting that Miley is doing is a direct descendant of something that Raven birthed on Disney Channel… probably because it was Black.”
• Amanda [15:03]:
  “I think nobody's Perfect has crack in it.”
• Sequoia [08:53]:
  “The crowd got quieter, really, when Miley came out [at the Best of Both Worlds tour].”
• Sequoia [51:25]:
  “This looks like an America’s Next Top Model shoot… she’s not selling sex, are you guys dumb?”
• Amber [56:11]:
  “No one’s word is God, and it might just have a crazy white man behind it controlling everything.”
• Amanda [75:56]:
  “I just want to take a moment to say that this 20 years is for us.”
• Sequoia [76:04]:
  “Black girls did, in fact, Hannah Montana… [and] the black girl who won the Hannah Montana lookalike contest? All the white girls were so mad.”

Highlighted Segments (Timestamps)

• [07:02] – Cultural Analysis: Amanda on Hannah Montana as “double consciousness.”
• [08:36] – The Miley/Hannah Split: Amber & Amanda on Best of Both Worlds tour, musical persona distinctions.
• [15:03] – Song Breakdown: Amanda declares “Nobody’s Perfect” has “crack in it.”
• [20:18] – Acting & Representation: Amber on Raven-Symoné’s impact and Disney Channel style.
• [41:00] – The Climb as Gospel: Discussion of “The Climb” as a soul-stirring, karaoke staple.
• [47:03] – Cast Relationships: Fun fact about Miley & Emily Osment’s early offscreen tension.
• [56:48] – Celebrity Cameos Game: The group plays a quiz about Hannah Montana guest stars.
• [66:12] – Hannah or Miley Lyric Game: Lyric guessing game, testing deep cut fandom.
• [69:13] – Sisterly Fangirl Confessions: Amber & Amanda share dynamics of being sibling fangirls.
• [75:56] – Closing Reflections on Being a Fan: The importance of fandom spaces, Black representation, and the Hannah Montana legacy.
• [76:04] – The Black Hannah Montana Lookalike: Celebrating the Black girl who won the official contest.

Tone & Energy

• Playful and nerdy, peppered with teasing, lively musical references, and full-on Black girl joy.
• Earnest analysis about belonging, representation, and the power of childhood fandoms.
• Candid about Disney’s cultural blindspots and “stealing” from Black culture, while celebrating the impact these shows have had.

Further Listening & Where to Find the Guests

• Amber & Amanda’s Show: “Destination Fangirls” (YouTube: Fangirl Central)—deep dives into Disney Channel and other pop culture fandoms from marginalized fangirl perspectives.
• Sequoia Holmes & Black People Love Paramore: Available on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms (handle: @BPLPPod).

Final Thoughts

This episode is a rollicking, insightful, and deeply affectionate exploration of Hannah Montana’s legacy from a Black and Southern perspective—perfect for anyone who wants more out of pop nostalgia than just a glittery memory. The show’s message rings out: Hannah Montana might have been for everyone, but Black girls made it their own, and that’s what made it magical.

“Hannah Montana is for us.” – Amber [76:55]

“I just want to take a moment to say that this 20 years is for us.” – Amanda [73:56]