**Kapri Lyons: The TikTok Star with a Real-Life ‘Hannah Montana’ Closet**
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24-year-old Kapri Lyons has recently captured the attention of TikTok users worldwide with an unexpected treasure trove from her childhood—a massive rotating costume closet that some have likened to the famous wardrobe of Disney’s Hannah Montana. What many do not know is that this stunning collection is deeply rooted in her family’s legacy and a non-profit performing arts group founded over 40 years ago by her grandmother in Northern California.
For Lyons, the enormous wardrobe was simply part of her upbringing. “To me, it felt completely normal because I had access to it my entire childhood,” she shared in an interview. It wasn’t until her video featuring the glamorous costumes went viral that she realised just how remarkable it appeared to others. “I never really thought anything of it until the video started blowing up online,” she added, highlighting the surprise of viewers who likened her collection to something out of a fairytale.
The historical depth of the collection is substantial. Founded by Lyons’ grandmother, the non-profit group, PGY (Performing Groups for Youth), has been actively involved in the arts, staging productions that range from Broadway hits to Disney classics, reaching audiences both locally and globally. Running a family organisation that promotes performing arts has been a source of pride for Lyons, who boasts a family history that includes her grandfather, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker.
As the years dusted off the costumes, the accumulated collection became a spectacle of creativity and artistry. “After years of doing shows, the collection built up into what is honestly kind of a dream closet filled with almost any costume you could imagine,” Lyons explained. With such a trove, she never faced the dilemma many young people do regarding outfits for various occasions. From prom dresses to Halloween costumes, the closet offered endless options at her fingertips.
One particularly humorous memory includes a high school Halloween where Lyons coordinated an outing for her friends, all of whom donned Disney princess gowns. “We all wore full-sized Disney princess ball gowns for Halloween,” she reminisced, emphasising the joy and camaraderie that the costumes fostered among her peers.
Growing up, Lyons was directly involved in the performing arts group from preschool through to high school. In college, she returned as a teacher and director—a transformative experience that she credits with shaping her identity. “It’s really something that shaped so much of who I am,” she said, relishing the opportunity to share stories from her life with her followers.
Lyons first showcased the closet in conjunction with discussing Marble Valley Academy, a private school also founded by her grandmother. “At first, I didn’t call it the Hannah Montana closet, but a lot of people in the comments started saying that it looked like it,” she noted. The timing of her video coincided with a resurgence of Hannah Montana nostalgia, especially with recent talk surrounding a potential reunion tour, further fuelling interest in her costume collection.
Upon observing the trending response to her video, the first thing Lyons did was share the news with her family. Her mother’s delight upon learning of the video’s popularity reflects the familial bond they share surrounding the non-profit’s legacy. “It meant a lot to her to see something she is so passionate about getting attention and appreciation,” Lyons explained.
Today, she continues to enjoy access to the collection, as her mother manages the non-profit. Exciting news awaits, as Lyons considers taking on a larger role in the future—she may even lead the next tour group scheduled for 2027. “I’ve always been so passionate about singing and dancing, and the idea of teaching again and doing what I love makes me really excited,” she said of her anticipated comeback.
In her eyes, the parallels drawn to Hannah Montana are more than just coincidental; performing has been ingrained in her entire life. “I grew up loving Hannah Montana, and because performing, singing and dancing were such a big part of my life, I feel really connected to that whole world of music and performance,” she stated.
These reflections on her upbringing and the organisation’s mission underscore its significance. “PGY was created to help young people build confidence, step out of their comfort zones, get on stage and learn to be themselves,” she asserted. Lyons feels a profound sense of gratitude, attributing much of her development and self-assurance to the experiences she gained through the arts.
She also pointed out that the programme has produced notable talents, including Jon M. Chu, director of the hit musical *Wicked*, who began his journey in the same non-profit. “Seeing someone who started in the same program go on to become such an incredible director is really inspiring,” she said.
Reflecting on the attention her TikTok brought, Lyons described the experience as emotional for her family. “It feels like such a full-circle moment to see people recognising and loving something that was such a big part of my childhood,” she expressed, also appreciating the warmth with which her family’s legacy has been received.
Yet, above all, she remains thankful for the audience that has embraced her story and the closet that holds a treasure trove of memories. “I know it made my mom and grandma so happy to see people appreciate something that has meant so much to our family,” she concluded, encapsulating the joy of sharing her rich heritage with the world.