If you grew up glued to Disney Channel waiting to see whether Miley Cyrus would choose Jake or Jesse, this revelation is going to hit hard. Nearly 20 years after ‘Hannah Montana‘ first took over Disney, one of its most unforgettable love stories is suddenly back in the spotlight.
Now, Cody Linley is revisiting Jake Ryan’s controversial romance with Miley Stewart, and that single betrayal is what turned ‘Hannah Montana‘ from a sweet teen romance into something far messier.
Cody Linley Breaks Down Jake’s Biggest Mistake
Cody Linley, who played Jake Ryan on ‘Hannah Montana‘, recently appeared on the Reel Appreciation podcast and addressed the long-debated romance between Jake and Miley Stewart. Surprisingly, he didn’t dodge the show’s huge controversy.
Jake appeared as a recurring love interest throughout the series, and his relationship with Miley delivered both swoon-worthy moments and emotional setbacks. However, everything fell apart when Miley learned that Jake had cheated on her. That reveal did not just end their relationship; it left fans stunned and scarred.
Related: Miley Cyrus Reveals She Had An ‘Identity Crisis’ Because Of Playing Hannah Montana For So Long
Linley reflected on how young the characters were, saying that Jake was still learning and growing. He explained that immaturity played a major role in Jake’s decisions, which often hurt Miley, even when that was not his intention. Hearing this from the actor himself made those old storylines feel more human and surprisingly relatable.
Linley acknowledged that many viewers still believe Jake and Miley were “endgame.” But he did not attempt to rewrite history. “Jake did do her dirty in the end,” he admitted, recognizing the hurt his character caused. Instead of defending Jake, Linley said he would leave the ultimate judgment up to fans.
He also described Jake’s arc as a “bittersweet ending,” which perfectly sums up how the romance concluded. Even though it began as a glamorous teen love story, it ultimately ended in betrayal.
How The Cheating Scandal Made ‘Hannah Montana’ Messier
‘Hannah Montana‘ often balanced comedy with heart, but the cheating storyline introduced a harsher reality into Miley’s world. It showed that even in a double-life fantasy, relationships could fall apart in very real ways. Looking back now, Linley understands how impactful that moment was.
In case you missed it: Billy Ray Cyrus Admits That ‘Hannah Montana’ Destroyed His Family
What makes this moment special is how openly Linley spoke about growth. He acknowledged that perspective changes with time and experience. Fans have responded warmly, praising him for being thoughtful and self-aware rather than defensive.
It turns a teen sitcom love triangle into a conversation about accountability and learning from past mistakes. Cody Linley’s reflection on Jake Ryan feels like a long-overdue confession that Hannah Montana fans did not know they needed.
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