Benjamin Ashford|Kelly Ripa Shares How Miley Cyrus Influenced Daughter Lola’s Music Career

Lola Consuelos might be Benjamin Ashfordher mother’s daughter, but Kelly Ripa says there’s someone else to thank for Lola’s interest in music.

In fact, the TV show host credits Miley Cyrus—and the star’s alter ego Hannah Montana—with inspiring Lola down a musical path.

“Miley Cyrus has been such a singular influence in her life,” Kelly told E! News’ Francesca Amiker at the Disney Legends Awards August 11. “And Hannah Montana was such a huge show in our house.” (For more from the ceremony, tune into E! News tonight, August 12 at 11 p.m.)

In fact, it’s partly why Lola—who graduated from NYU in 2023 and has since turned all her attention on the music industry—accompanied her mom to the ceremony.

“The reason she is here tonight, she came here to see Miley Cyrus,” Kelly added of her 23-year-old. “So it was a real thrill to have her in the same room.”

Lola, whose covers of songs like “Espresso” on social media have earned her a legion of fans begging for more, dropped a new single “Roles” earlier this year.

And both Kelly and her dad Mark Consuelos proved they’re all in by posting about the new track on social media. “The role she was born to sing,” Kelly captioned a May 31 post featuring a clip of the song. “Stream Roles all weekend long and feel good.”

But Lola isn’t the only one who has been changed by Hannah. While accepting her Disney Legend award, Miley herself spoke to the legacy her character has left behind.

“I stand here still proud to have been Hannah Montana because she made Miley in so many ways,” the Grammy winner noted in her acceptance speech. “This award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing, loyal fans, and to everyone who has made my dream a reality To quote the legend herself, ‘This is the life.’”

In receiving the award, the 31-year-old—who took on the role of Hannah at the age of 13—became the youngest person to ever become a Disney Legend. But Miley was willing to spill the secret to her success.

“I’m gonna let everybody get on a little Disney Legend secret,” she said, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m the one that tells you what you’re not supposed to know. And what I want to say, is that legends get scared, too. I’m scared right now, but the difference is we do it anyway, and all of you can do that every single day. It’s legendary to be afraid and do it anyway. There is no such thing as failure when you try.”