This Tuesday (Mar. 24), the moment Hannah Montana fans have been waiting for has arrived: the much-teased and highly-anticipated Disney+ special celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary is here.

On Monday night, the premiere took over downtown Hollywood with a special screening at the El Capitan Theatre, followed by an after party at The Hollywood Roosevelt — both of which were attended by Cyrus along with her family and a handful of Hannah cast members. But, just weeks prior, key moments in the special were still (not so) secretly being filmed.

On Feb. 27, superfans of both the show and its star, Miley Cyrus, were invited to Los Angeles from around the world to watch her perform; But even upon arrival, details were vague and parking passes simply referenced “Project Wig Anniversary.” (Project Wig was also scribbled on a box of blonde wigs that were later tossed to select attendees). Upon entering the Sunset Gower Studios lot, phones were locked and secrets were (mostly) kept — until now.

As fans made their way toward Stage 14, they were greeted by a towering logo for the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special plastered onto the gate. And parked right in front was, of course, the same black Ford Mustang convertible with its HM 20 plate that Cyrus was previously spotted driving around Malibu.

And after a few hours kept patiently waiting, upon walking into the soundstage there were two major moments to take in: On one side, iconic Hannah Montana sets had been reconstructed, including Hannah’s Malibu home living room and her legendary spinning closet; on the other side, a stage had been built.

A blend of Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus hits played in the background, and a camera operator sang along to “Party in the U.S.A.” while Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper (who co-produced the special) looked on from the back of the crowd. Soon enough, the music cut out and was replaced by gasps and claps as Hannah appeared — or was it Miley? Or Miley as Hannah?

“It’s hybrid Hannah; it’s a little confusing, huh?” said Cyrus with a smile, scanning the room. “A little bit Hannah, a little bit Miley.” (She later joked to a production assistant: “My dress is too tight, will you grab my sunglasses? That’s the Miley part.”)

Wearing a stunning floor-length, halter neck sequin gown with an open back that showed off many of her tattoos, the artist standing on stage was indeed a little bit of both worlds — and, more than anything else, that’s what this anniversary is truly celebrating.

“The best training I had to be Miley was Hannah,” Cyrus shared in between performing Hannah Montana hits “This Is the Life” and “The Climb.” She continued: “I used to think of Hannah separate from myself… This is my reclaiming.” (She performed both songs twice, explaining that the second take was “music video style” including tighter shots of her face. “I’m lip-syncing for my life,” Cyrus laughed ahead of the second take. “It’s still going to be major.”)

After her live vocals and close-ups were complete, Cyrus cautioned fans before exiting the stage: “You’re about to be so gagged for what’s to come.” And after a brief reset — during which the iconic Hannah Montana marquee appeared on stage and backup dancers took their places — she was proven right. As Cyrus ascended from below the stage — wearing the same black outfit she was spotted in days before while driving the Mustang — an instantly-recognizable drumbeat kicked in as she prepared to perform the show’s hit theme song, “Best of Both Worlds.” Even her mom, Tish, couldn’t help but dance along.

And as confetti canons signaled the end of the song and the taping (of these three songs, at least, as other components of the special were filmed separately), Cooper expressed to Tish, “That was a spiritual experience.” To which Tish replied, “I’m gonna be depressed tomorrow that it’s over.” 

But, as Miley shared earlier in the day — and as she reiterates in the special — creating something that extends beyond one moment and serves more than just one audience in one specific location at one specific time was exactly how she landed on a pre-taped special.

“We got to be with you all in your homes,” she said, reflecting on the experience of being on TV. “That’s what my character didn’t want to let go of.”

It seems Miley herself didn’t want to let go, either — and thank goodness for that.

She said it best in Hannah Montana: The Movie when she sang: “You can change your hair and you can change your clothes/ You can change your mind, that’s just the way it goes/ You can say goodbye and you can say hello/ But you’ll always find your way back home.”

Fans have indeed seen and supported Cyrus through such hair, clothes and mindset changes across the last two decades. And now, in this dim-light soundstage, seeing her embrace a character that at many times felt like a distant memory makes this homecoming an even bigger cause for celebration. And as Cyrus affirms in the special, “It’s good to be home.”

As Ella Langley holds onto her record-breaking streak on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Choosin’ Texas,” she continues releasing a slate of more strong songs from her upcoming April 10 album Dandelion. In her latest, “Loving Life Again,” she’s learning the power of taking time to slow down, recalibrate and appreciate all of life’s moments.

Elsewhere, Luke Combs teams up with bluegrass great Alison Krauss for a new collab, while duo The Band Loula, Wyatt Flores and Leah Blevins all issue top-shelf new music.

Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of some of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.

Ella Langley, “Loving Life Again”

Ella Langley is reigning on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Choosin’ Texas,” but she’s continuing to build on that masterful release with this tender, uplifting song about finding peace and new perspectives amid emotionally turbulent times. Her soft-focus voice is quietly commanding here, backed by the tranquil ambience forged by layers of guitar, mandolin and pedal steel. She sings of letting her mind drift back to peaceful memories of being with her grandmother or riding her favorite horse, weaving those vivid portraits into a languid, beautiful track that showcases the full spectrum of Langley’s musical vision.

Luke Combs Feat. Alison Krauss, “Ever Mine”

Luke Combs joins forces with bluegrass great Alison Krauss on “Ever Mine,” a tale of a soldier’s missive to his family back home. The soldier keeps a photo of his family near him for comfort and prays his own children will “wrap their arms around each other and never around a gun.” Krauss joins Combs on the chorus, her airy vocal serving as a soothing balm over his gritty, aching voice. Washes of fiddle, mandolin, banjo and piano give this a bluegrass-leaning flavor, as the two artists sing a plea for peace and comfort in troubled times.

The Band Loula, “Mother’s Mother”

During National Women’s History Month, The Band Loula pays homage to strong, wise and compassionate women in their families on the acoustic-driven track “Mother’s Mother,” a tough-and-tender tribute to grandmothers. Shimmering guitar and a laid-back rhythm are an undertow as the duo’s Logan Simmons offers a tender and husky vocal, carrying vividly detailed lyrics of aspirations to be more like her grandmother. “I hope my driveway’s just as long, hope my porch light’s always on/ And the phone call’s never done ’til I say ‘I love you, hon,’” she sings. Simmons wrote the song with bandmate Malachi Mills with production from Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne.

Leah Blevins, “Leave Your Baggage At The Door”

Blevins just released her sophomore album All Dressed Up, and her singular, evocative sound is intriguing. On this song from the project, she’s enticing a lover to leave the weight of the past behind and dare to try something new, as she scaffolds her musical message with a ’60s country-tinged sound that’s catchy and makes an excellent showcase for her graceful, rural soprano.

Wyatt Flores, “Runnin’ On E”

Flores previewed this new song last week during Country Radio Seminar. In it, he warns a potential lover that they are wasting their time pursuing him, singing “I’m all sorts of things except the man that you need.” He juxtaposes her want for a steady relationship with his own leanings on various vices, with lines like, “I smoke for the boredom/ And I drink ’cause of shyness.” Those self-aware lyrics are paired with breezy melody and a gently rollicking rhythm, making this feel like a freewheeling summertime favorite.

Shore Fire Media, one of the music industry’s preeminent independent public relations and communications firms, has entered a new era as founder Marilyn Laverty ascends to chairman of the firm and former BMG senior vp Angela Barkan is named its new CEO.

Laverty has also been named senior advisor to Dolphin, a publicly traded entertainment marketing and content production company, which acquired Shore Fire in 2019. She will focus on Shore Fire’s strategic growth and advise its executive team while continuing to play a key role in representing longtime clients Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper.

In her dual role, Laverty will also drive collaboration across Dolphin’s portfolio of businesses as a senior advisor to the marketing supergroup. (Dolphin took the No. 1 spot on the “Observer PR Power List for 2025.”)

Laverty was an honoree on Billboard’s Women in Music list in 2011 and was named one of Billboard’s Power Publicists in 2023.  “She has no agenda except for the artists, is a master communicator, is entirely networked, is respected in all corners of the industry,” Springsteen’s manager, Jon Landau, said at the time of the 2023 honor.

Dolphin CEO Bill O’Dowd said in a statement, “Growing Shore Fire into a renowned industry leader with expertise across many facets of art and culture, and nurturing an executive team that is unsurpassed in talent, what Marilyn has been able to accomplish with the company over the past few decades is nothing short of remarkable.”

Barkan, who comes to Shore Fire from BMG, previously held leadership roles in marketing, brand partnerships and public relations at various Sony Music labels. She was named to Billboard’s Women in Music list in 2022.

Succeeding Laverty as Shore Fire’s CEO, Barkan expressed her high regard for the firm in a statement. “Shore Fire has long set the standard for excellence in entertainment communications,” she said. “Having worked closely with the firm as a client for many years, I have seen first-hand what makes it best-in-class. It is an honor to build upon the remarkable foundation Marilyn created. I also look forward to working with Bill, Marilyn and the broader Dolphin ecosystem to drive new opportunities for collaboration and growth across the supergroup.”

Laverty tells Billboard that Shore Fire has had the opportunity “to work with Angela Barkan many times over the years, and she’s got a rare combination of intelligence and kindness. Angela will support our incredible team who have built Shore Fire, and will inspire us for sure.”

A former freelance journalist for U.K. and U.S. music magazines, Laverty was the national vp of publicity for Columbia Records before founding Shore Fire in 1990.  The firm was in the vanguard of the music firms that set up shop in Brooklyn in that era and has since expanded, with teams in Los Angeles and Nashville.

Laverty notes that Shore Fire has “grown exponentially since we became part of Dolphin at the end of 2019. Our fees and staff have more than doubled. And more than that, we’ve grown as a result of our collaboration with and exposure to the other Dolphin companies. Our roster now includes athletes, entrepreneurs, music businesses, artist estates, non-profits and cultural institutions in addition to our incredible musicians and bands from so many different genres.

“We have generated several million dollars of additional revenue within Dolphin by teaming up companies for projects, and also by referring opportunities internally when we hear about something that’s not right for us but perfect for one of the other companies.”

Unlike other large companies where the subsidiaries compete, Dolphin is collaborative, adds Laverty, noting that the expertise of Shore Fire’s staff is enhanced “by our constant sharing of insights and best practices with our other Dolphin companies” — including Elle Communication, for social impact PR; Special Projects, for event and talent curation; The Digital Department, for influencer marketing and management; The Door, for lifestyle and product marketing; 42 West, known for film and TV public relations; and Dolphin Entertainment, for film production.

“I have to thank our brilliant CEO Bill O’Dowd for choosing the companies in the  Dolphin group so carefully,” Laverty says. “It’s easy for us to collaborate, everyone is amazing to work with, and so expert at what they do, and Bill brings us together for in-person summits and regular meetings, so we’re at the table a lot together. We are able to access our other companies’ offerings for our clients, and we love using them as a sounding board when our campaigns cross into their areas of expertise.”

Calvin Harris and Kasabian’s “Release the Pressure” spends a third week at No. 1 on the WARM Global Dance Radio chart. Released in early February, the track leads the March 28-dated ranking with 800-plus spins across more than 200 monitored stations worldwide in the March 13-19 tracking week, according to WARM (World Airplay Radio Monitor).

FISHER’s “Rain” holds at its No. 2 peak, while Gordo and Reinier Zonneveld’s “Loco Loco” jumps five spots to No. 3. Milky and Mall Grab’s “Just the Way You Are” rises 6-4 and HUGEL and SOLTO’s “Jamaican (Bam Bam)” falls 4-5 to round out the chart’s top five.

Both songs are built around notable samples. “Just the Way You Are” reworks Milky’s 2002 hit of the same name, which spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart and has since become a house classic. A new remix of the track by the Australian electronic trio PNAU was released March 20. Meanwhile, “Jamaican (Bam Bam)” draws from Sister Nancy’s reggae staple “Bam Bam,” which the Jamaican dancehall DJ recorded for her 1982 album One Two. The song has been sampled or interpolated by many other acts, including Lauryn Hill (“Lost Ones”), Jay-Z (“Bam”), Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (“The Basement”) and Kanye West (“Famous”).

David Guetta and John Summit lead all artists on the latest WARM Global Dance Radio chart with four entries each. Guetta appears with “Upside Down (Extended Mix),” with Jaden Bojsen (No. 9); “Save Me Tonight,” with Jennifer Lopez (No. 24); “Crazy,” with Matt Sassari, Jack Back and Amira Eldine (No. 44); and “Locked In,” with MORTEN, featuring Trippie Redd (No. 78 debut). Summit charts with “Shadows,” with LAVINIA (No. 10); “Lights Go Out” (No. 39); “With Me,” with Julia Wolf (No. 72); and “SATA,” with Rohaan (No. 83 debut).

Sam Harper, MK and Tiësto follow with three charting songs each.

As announced March 5, Billboard has expanded its dance chart portfolio with the inclusion of the WARM Global Dance Radio chart. The ranking debuted on Billboard.com March 10, joining Billboard’s long-standing U.S.-based dance lists, including Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Hot Dance/Pop Songs, Dance/Mix Show Airplay and Top Dance Albums. The 40-position Global Dance Radio chart (published in full as a 100-position ranking on WARM’s platform) aggregates plays from 200-plus dance-dedicated radio stations across more than 30 countries, reflecting songs trending globally through a network of programmers and radio gatekeepers operating across multiple territories.

Check out the top 40 of the WARM Global Dance Radio chart on Billboard.com and head over to warmmusic.net for the full 100-position survey.

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W Hotels has officially stepped into the world of all-inclusive experiences. With the grand opening of their W Punta Cana property in Dominican Republic, the luxury hotel chain aims to redefine the hospitality market that’s typically synonymous with wristbands and buffet-style food by providing its adults-only guests with a relaxed, modern layout, a variety of culinary experiences and a wellness-forward retreat.

The first thing guests will notice as they enter the 340-room resort is the mix of lush jungle greenery and tropical beach views. Designed by Zanobia Arquitectura, every design choice feels intentional, from the towering palm trees to the contemporary architecture and decor, to an open-air, village-style layout, to tropical plants flanking each building and swimming pool throughout. There’s a level of relaxation, local heritage and W’s signature style all blending together to provide a luxe feel of escapism.

“This entry is not about following trends; it is about expanding our brand DNA into new environments while staying true to what makes W Hotels unique,” says the brands in a press release. “Including bold, detail-driven design, vibrant energy, and meaningful connections to culture and the locale.”

Developed in partnership with Grupo Puntacana and MAC Hotels, rooms and suites start at 700 square feet, all with king beds and bathtubs. 46 suites come with swim-ups, and several offer full private pools, a rarity on the island.

As its first all-inclusive resort, W Punta Cana has something for everyone, especially in their dining and beverage options. Their culinary program features six signature restaurants and six bar/lounges ranging from a noodle bar serving up Asian dishes like hand-pulled noodles and wok-inspired meals, a rooftop restaurant that pairs fresh seafood plates with a stunning ocean view, a food hall-style venue featuring global street-food dishes and desserts, and a hidden speakeasy-style cocktail lounge that has cigar rolling, vinyl collections and parties for night goers. Whatever you’re in the mood for, W Punta Cana will most likely have a dining option for you.

Travelers familiar with the brand will recognize the W flair, especially at the 262-foot infinity pool and wet deck overlooking the beach. A short walk away, the Chill Pool offers a more relaxed alternative, complete with a lively swim-up bar. There’s also a variety of fun actives including DJ-led sound baths and beachside silent discos curated by W Hotels Americas music director Sinegoto to keep the party going all-night long.

When you need to slow things, the AWAY Spa includes a steam room, sauna, Himalayan salt room and striking indoor pool for the ultimate getaway. There’s also sunrise yoga and restorative rituals that take advantage of Punta Cana’s natural setting. Guests can workout at W’s 1,500-square-foot FIT gym, which is open 24/7.

“From music and wellness activations to cultural storytelling, each element is curated to be both immersive and authentic,” says the brand. “Unlike traditional all-inclusive resorts, which can feel standardized, the W Hotels approach is intentionally dynamic, layered, and unmistakably connected to both the local culture and the energetic spirit of the brand.”

Book your all-inclusive stay at W Punta Cana online here.