The award-winning songwriter and performer was honored as a Disney Legend at D23, celebrating his work on major Disney projects including Moana, Encanto, Mufasa and the live-action The Little Mermaid, along with his work on Hamilton.

Before Miranda took the stage, the ceremony featured a special tribute filled with performances of some of his most memorable songs.

But his own acceptance speech became the moment everyone was talking about.

Miranda walked onto the stage carrying a worn VHS case of The Little Mermaid, a movie that had a major impact on him when he was a child. Inside the case was his handwritten acceptance speech.

Instead of simply reading the words, Miranda performed the speech as a new version of Part of Your World, turning his memories and gratitude into a deeply personal song.

He looked back on being a nine-year-old watching The Little Mermaid on television, learning the songs and playing along on his Casio keyboard. He remembered dreaming that one day the music he created could become part of someone else’s world.

His speech also included playful references to Hamilton, Moana and other projects that helped shape his career.

One of the most touching parts came when Miranda thanked the artists and animators who bring Disney stories to life. He also expressed his gratitude to the people who believed in him before he became a household name.

As the performance continued, Miranda became visibly emotional, making the moment feel less like an awards speech and more like a conversation between his younger self and the successful artist standing on the D23 stage.

The childhood VHS tape made the tribute even more meaningful. Miranda later shared photos showing the handwritten lyrics inside the case, with the writing becoming increasingly shaky as the emotional moment unfolded.

Fans quickly praised the heartfelt performance, especially the personal references to The Little Mermaid and Hamilton.

For Miranda, the Disney Legends honor was more than a celebration of his career. It was a full-circle moment for the young boy who once sat in front of his television dreaming of making music and eventually found himself becoming part of the magical world that inspired him.