Miley Cyrus Confirms She Dated Dylan Sprouse at Disney

Miley Cyrus Confirms She Secretly Dated Dylan Sprouse During Disney Channel Era

Decades-old rumors have finally been put to rest. During the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, which premiered on Disney+ and Hulu on March 24, 2026, Miley Cyrus dropped a bombshell that sent the internet into a frenzy: she and Dylan Sprouse were secretly a couple during their overlapping Disney Channel years. The confirmation came during an on-stage interview with Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper, who served as host of the special — and fans who had long suspected the romance finally got the answer they had been waiting for.

The revelation instantly became one of the most talked-about moments from the nostalgic celebration, flooding social media timelines with throwback memories and plenty of "I knew it!" reactions. Here is everything you need to know about Dylan Sprouse, his secret relationship with Miley Cyrus, and where both stars are today.

What Miley Cyrus Said About Dating Dylan Sprouse

Miley Cyrus did not mince words. Speaking openly with Alex Cooper in front of an audience of 215 fans at the anniversary special, Cyrus delivered the confirmation plainly and with characteristic confidence:

"Dylan Sprouse was my boyfriend. I think he was the cutest. It's true, confirmed."

The admission was met with an explosion of excitement from the crowd — and from audiences streaming the special at home. Cyrus went on to share a charming detail about their relationship: their fathers would take them out for sushi together, with Cole Sprouse also tagging along for the family-style outings. The image of two of Disney Channel's biggest young stars sneaking in a relationship under the radar, with their dads as inadvertent chaperones, perfectly captures the wholesome-yet-secretive nature of young Hollywood at the time.

According to USA Today, Cyrus also used the special to reveal another piece of Disney history: the Jonas Brothers joined her on tour because Nick Jonas was her boyfriend at the time, and she did not want to be separated from him. She further admitted to having had a crush on Mitchell Musso, who played Oliver Oken on Hannah Montana. Apparently, Miley Cyrus had quite the social life behind the scenes of one of Disney's most beloved shows.

Dylan Sprouse Had Already Hinted at the Romance Back in 2008

While Cyrus's confirmation was new, Dylan Sprouse had actually alluded to the relationship nearly two decades earlier. In a 2008 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a then-teenage Sprouse casually referenced the romance — and even offered a now-legendary explanation for why it ended.

"We met at her set, I believe, and we dated. And then Nick Jonas walked by and it was over."

The quote, which LADbible highlighted following the anniversary special, has since taken on a whole new life online. At the time, many viewers assumed it was a joke. With Cyrus's full confirmation in 2026, it turns out Sprouse was telling the truth all along — delivered with the dry humor that has become something of his trademark.

The timeline now makes much more sense. Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas dated between 2006 and 2008, a period that overlapped significantly with the early seasons of both Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. Dylan Sprouse and his twin brother Cole starred in The Suite Life from 2005 to 2008, putting the two young stars squarely in the same Disney universe during the years the romance reportedly took place.

Who Is Dylan Sprouse Today?

For those who grew up watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, seeing Dylan Sprouse as a 33-year-old adult is a genuine milestone moment. According to Primetimer, Sprouse was born on August 4, 1992, making him 33 years old as of 2026.

After his Disney days, Dylan took a notably different path than many child stars. He stepped back from acting for several years to attend New York University's Gallatin School, where he studied video game design. He later returned to Hollywood with roles in films including Banana Split (2018) and After We Collided (2020), both of which drew significant attention and introduced him to a new generation of fans.

In his personal life, Dylan Sprouse is now happily settled. He married Hungarian-French supermodel Barbara Palvin in 2023, after the couple dated publicly for several years. Palvin, known internationally for her work with Victoria's Secret and as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, and Sprouse became one of Hollywood's most followed couples before tying the knot in a celebrated ceremony.

Where Miley Cyrus Is Now

Miley Cyrus, also 33, has had one of the most dynamic careers of any Disney Channel alumna. From Hannah Montana to her genre-defying music evolution, Cyrus has continuously reinvented herself as an artist. Her 2024 Grammy-winning hit "Flowers" became one of the best-performing songs of that era, and she has remained one of the most recognizable names in pop music.

On the personal front, Cyrus is currently engaged to musician Maxx Morando, the drummer for indie rock band Liily. The couple have maintained a relatively private relationship compared to Cyrus's more public past romances, including her marriage to actor Liam Hemsworth, which ended in divorce in 2020.

The Hannah Montana Anniversary Special itself was a major production, featuring live performances of iconic songs including This Is the Life and The Climb, performed before the intimate audience of 215 fans. According to InStyle, the special also included a visit to the original Hannah Montana set in Malibu, California, tying together 20 years of memories with a genuine sense of celebration and nostalgia.

Why the Disney Channel Romance Revelation Resonates So Deeply

The reason Cyrus's confirmation hit so hard is not just the celebrity gossip factor — it is the shared cultural memory. Millions of millennials and older Gen Z viewers grew up watching both Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody on the same network, often in the same afternoon block. The idea that two of those beloved characters were dating in real life feels like a piece of childhood clicking into place.

There is also something uniquely satisfying about a long-standing rumor being officially confirmed. For years, fans speculated about the Dylan Sprouse-Miley Cyrus connection based on vague references and that 2008 Jimmy Kimmel comment. The fact that it took until a 20th anniversary special to get the full story makes the reveal feel appropriately cinematic.

As MSN Entertainment noted, the moment was one of the most viral clips from the special, spreading rapidly across TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram within hours of the premiere. It also reignited interest in the broader Disney Channel era, with fans revisiting old episodes and sharing memories across platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dylan Sprouse and Miley Cyrus

Did Miley Cyrus and Dylan Sprouse really date?

Yes. Miley Cyrus officially confirmed the relationship during the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special on March 24, 2026. She stated directly: "Dylan Sprouse was my boyfriend. I think he was the cutest. It's true, confirmed." Dylan Sprouse had previously hinted at the romance during a 2008 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

How long did Miley Cyrus and Dylan Sprouse date?

The exact duration of their relationship has not been publicly confirmed. Based on the timeline of their overlapping Disney Channel careers and Dylan Sprouse's 2008 Jimmy Kimmel comment suggesting the relationship ended when Nick Jonas came into the picture, the romance is believed to have occurred in the early-to-mid 2000s, before Cyrus and Jonas began dating around 2006.

Who is Dylan Sprouse married to now?

Dylan Sprouse married Hungarian-French supermodel Barbara Palvin in 2023. The couple had been together publicly for several years before their wedding.

Who is Miley Cyrus with now?

Miley Cyrus is currently engaged to Maxx Morando, the drummer for indie rock band Liily. The two have kept their relationship relatively low-key compared to Cyrus's more public past relationships.

What is the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special?

The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special is a commemorative television event that premiered on Disney+ and Hulu on March 24, 2026. Hosted by Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper, the special featured Miley Cyrus performing songs including This Is the Life and The Climb before an audience of 215 fans, as well as candid interviews reflecting on the show's legacy and behind-the-scenes revelations.

Conclusion

Twenty years after Hannah Montana first aired, Miley Cyrus has given fans one of the most satisfying pieces of Disney Channel history ever confirmed on camera. Her acknowledgment that Dylan Sprouse was her secret boyfriend — complete with sushi dinners and Cole Sprouse as an unofficial third wheel — is exactly the kind of candid, nostalgic revelation that makes anniversary specials worth watching.

Both stars have come a long way since their Disney days. Dylan Sprouse, now 33 and married to Barbara Palvin, has built a diverse acting career outside the Disney bubble. Miley Cyrus, equally 33 and engaged to Maxx Morando, has evolved into one of music's most enduring artists. Their shared history, finally acknowledged, is simply a charming footnote in two very remarkable careers — and proof that the Disney Channel era was even more eventful behind the scenes than anyone quite realized.