The announcement of Disney Channel going off the air made us melancholic remembering its best moments and shows. More than 37 years have passed since its first transmission which set a before and after in television. There are many actors who have been part of its productions, but there is a group that left an indelible mark. Here we take you on a nostalgic walk with this list. Find out what Disney’s biggest stars look like now.
BEFORE | Britney Spears
Britney Spears was the golden child on the Disney show, The Mickey Mouse Club. Her starring role on this major children’s show was the beginning of her career in the entertainment industry.
After her participation in this program was over, she went on to sing and stole all the cameras proclaiming herself as the Princess of Pop. She had multiple gold records and gathered masses of fans around the world, her success was unstoppable.
NOW | Britney Spears
Britney’s fame did not diminish over the years, but her career was seriously affected by problems in her personal life. Although she continued to produce music for some time, she currently has more than five years without releasing any single or album.
This pause in her career looks like it will extend for much longer, as Spears is in a legal battle with her father to remove the conservatorship she has been under for 13 years. Her fans are supporting her with a campaign they dubbed #FreeBritney.
BEFORE | Justin Timberlake
Another up-and-comer on the show The Mickey Mouse Club, was little Justin Timberlake. Along with his co-star Britney, who would later become his girlfriend, he animated this important children’s show which would be decisive in his life as an artist.
Timberlake also achieved great fame and was part of one of the most important musical groups of the show called NSYNC. After their separation, he was the member with the most successful solo career and even began to have an important presence in the world of cinema.
NOW | Justin Timberlake
With multiple awards and gold records for the reach of his music, Justin Timberlake finds himself producing and working behind the scenes. The last release he had of music was a single in 2020, while his last album was in 2018.
The singer and actor has been surrounded by controversy for alleged infidelities with his wife Jessica Biel. After publicly apologizing, he assured that he remains focused on his family and that’s why he has been away from the cameras.
BEFORE | Christina Aguilera
Belonging to the same Disney group as Timberlake and Spears, Christina Aguilera got off to a very similar start as her program mates. They were all child stars with promising futures.
Little Aguilera also followed in the footsteps of music, and at the age of 20 she started her musical career by releasing the single “Genie In a Bottle”. This song catapulted her to fame and laid the foundation for what would become her giant career.
NOW | Christina Aguilera
Years later, Christina decided to leave behind the image of innocence projected by her music and surprised everyone with an album called Stripped. During this period she was linked to Fred Durst, had problems with Pink and made headlines after kissing Madonna at an MTV awards.
Despite all this, Aguilera’s career matured with her and her scandals stopped making headlines. She is now a mother of two, and has not produced music recently, only small collaborations with artists such as Demi Lovato.
BEFORE | Ryan Gosling
At just 13 years old, Ryan Gosling was already a star. Accompanied by his inseparable friend, Justin Timberlake, this little boy acted like a pro in his scenes of The Mickey Mouse Club, winning over the audience and becoming one of the most loved and remembered.
While he wasn’t as active in show business during his teenage years as his other peers, Gosling rose to stardom as an actor later in his career.
NOW | Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling is now one of the most sought after and talented actors in Hollywood. His participation in major films has led him to be nominated for Best Actor at the Oscar and Golden Globe Awards.
Now with his two daughters he leads a more private life alongside his actress wife Eva Mendes. The La La La Land star has expressed in multiple interviews how happy he is with his current life and the experience of being a stay-at-home dad.
BEFORE | Hilary Duff
Adorable teenager Hilary Duff gave us endless moments of happiness thanks to her role in the series Lizzie Mcguire. Her influence on pop culture and children of the 2000s is still present today.
Besides being the star of this show, she also had a successful career as a singer. This foray into music left hits like “So Yesterday” and “Best of My Heart”, which are still remembered and used in social media trends.
NOW | Hilary Duff
After keeping a low profile and participating in few projects, Hillary Duff is back on the scene and is currently working on the filming of a second part of the famous series How I Met Your Mother.
She was also in talks for a new season of Lizzie Mcguire, however, as she herself communicated, the necessary agreements were not reached. The actress is now happily married with three children, and regularly posts updates about her life on Instagram.
BEFORE | Kevin Jonas
The rise of the Jonas Brothers was unimaginable. No one expected these three brothers to have such a huge impact on the pop culture of the 2000s. Kevin Jonas was part of this triumph and together with his brothers participated in multiple projects.
Although Kevin was the least extroverted brother of the three, he also had his starring role in Disney series and movies. In addition, he participated in musical collaborations of other famous stars, giving him the renown he currently retains.
NOW | Kevin Jonas
Years later, Kevin left his teenage look behind once he retired from his brothers’ band. The guitarist stepped away from the public eye and devoted himself to family life with his wife and children.
After 12 years Kevin joined the Jonas Brothers again releasing an album that left all his fans amazed and acquiring a whole new generation of followers. Now he is quite active on his social networks sharing part of his life as a father and as a music star.
BEFORE | Miley Cyrus
Not even Miley Cyrus could have imagined the success her Hanna Montana series would become. This iconic show catapulted Cyrus’ career, not only as an actress, but mainly as a singer.
Since her early days at Disney, Cyrus had problems with the company due to inappropriate photos that came to light. She also came under heavy criticism when she began to move away from her teen star image, but no one was prepared for the change she showed a few years later.
NOW | Miley Cyrus
Upon leaving Disney, Miley totally revamped her style and released an album called Bangerz. The drastic evolution generated all kinds of criticism and comments, but the high point came at her MTV Awards presentation, when she danced provocatively with Robin Thicke on open television.
Followed by this, she lived several separations with Liam Hemsworth, until they finally divorced in 2019. Her music career has remained just as controversial and she recently fanned the flames by releasing a rock genre album that has kept her active on the music scene.
BEFORE | Zendaya Coleman
Very few Disney stars manage to emerge unscathed and without serious consequences from their early fame. Zendaya Coleman, or as she is better known, Zendaya, is one of this exclusive group.
The star of Shake It Up shared the screen with actress Bella Thorne, and also participated in separate projects such as Good Luck, Charlie! In this way she was carving her way in Hollywood, to later reach the fame she currently possesses.
NOW | Zendaya Coleman
Despite still continuing to work with Disney, Zendaya is now part of much bigger projects. Among her repertoire are blockbuster films such as Spider-Man: Homecoming and Far From Home.
She also had an important role in the acclaimed series Euphoria, which earned her an Emmy nomination. The actress keeps her private life away from the cameras, but it is known that she is currently in a relationship with her Spider-Man co-star, Tom Holland.
BEFORE | Bella Thorne
In conjunction with Zendaya, Bella Thorne had the opportunity to be the face of one of Disney’s most successful shows, Shake It Up. This teenager was part of the generation that came to replace stars like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez.
Her work at the network opened doors for her at an early age, having the opportunity to work in other productions alongside actors such as Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. However, like Cyrus, her change when she parted ways with Disney left everyone with their mouths wide open.
NOW | Bella Thorne
The physical change the actress and singer underwent was almost as drastic as the one in her personal life. Thorne has been involved in many scandals such as the big scam on the adult platform Only Fans of which she was part of.
She has also had multiple startling revelations regarding her past issues with Zendaya, eating disorders, and abuse experienced as a child. In 2019 she made her debut as a porn film director, and her last TV appearance was of little consequence.
BEFORE | Selena Gomez
Another of Disney’s most promising stars was teenager Selena Gomez. Her sweet personality and talent made her one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. She participated in several series and movies, but the most famous was The Wizards of Waverly Place, where she was the main character.
Despite having a low profile life, Selena began to star in scandals following her relationship with singer Justin Bieber. The tumultuous relationship would overshadow the teenager’s career for a while, until they finally split in 2018.
NOW | Selena Gomez
After leaving behind her history with Bieber, Selena Gomez was the victim of constant criticism from the American showbiz. She also had serious health problems after being diagnosed with Lupus, reason why she stayed away from the cameras.
However, in 2020, Gomez came back stronger than ever and revealed the release of two albums she titled Rare and Selena x Votes. She also released a makeup line called Rare Beauty and returned to acting with the Only Murders In The Building project.
BEFORE | Zac Efron
From a young age Zac Efron began his path to stardom by participating in major series such as CSI: Miami and TheLaw and Order, performances that would prepare him for his first big role later on.
High School Musical was the project that changed Efron’s life forever. After three successful, world-famous films, Zac was crowned Disney’s biggest teen star alongside his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens, in 2006.
NOW | Zac Efron
Efron’s rise within Hollywood was quite far removed from scandals and filled with acclaimed professional projects. Several of his films were big blockbusters such asThe Greatest Showman and Baywatch, alongside stars like The Rock and Hugh Jackman.
The actor doesn’t share much about his personal life, but it is known that he is single and is currently involved in a major Netflix project called Con los Pies en la Tierra, which has two successful seasons on the air, in addition to other productions to be released this year.
BEFORE | Vanessa Hudgens
The High School Musical co-star reached the peak of her career success thanks to these musicals. Disney was the platform that gave her the opportunity to be the actress we know today.
After participating in several projects of this TV channel, Hudgens was involved in a scandal due to some intimate photos that were exposed in the media. She also had multiple criticisms for her role in the controversial film Spring Breakers, reason that led her to end her collaboration with Disney.
NOW | Vanessa Hudgens
After her breakup with Zac Efron, the actress stayed away from scandals and had few participations in projects. Her last production was in 2018 in the film Jefa por Accidente, alongside Jennifer Lopez.
However, Vanessa stays active on her social networks showing her daily life with friends and her multiple trips. Last year she gave some controversial statements about the pandemic, in an Instagram live, for which she had to apologize, and since then she has only been dedicated to sharing photos.
BEFORE | Joe Jonas
One of the most famous brothers in the Jonas Brothers band was always Joe. The teenage girls didn’t hold back their love for him and let him know it through the support he received from his early career.
Joe not only had a position in Disney music, he also starred in Camp Rock, a teen movie in which he starred alongside Demi Lovato. In addition, the Jonas series, he also had multiple tours filling stadiums around the world, until the separation of the band in 2013.
NOW | Joe Jonas
The end of the Jonas Brothers era alongside his brothers didn’t stop Joe from continuing to advance his career. In 2014 he went on tour with his album Fastlife which was very well received by his fans. And, in 2016, he formed a band called DNCE, which had great worldwide success.
By 2019 Joe was returning with his brothers to the world of music, releasing the album Hapiness Begins. That same year he married Sophie Turner, actress of Game of Thrones, and they had their first child in 2020.
BEFORE | Raven-Symoné
We all remember Raven’s adventures on her Disney show, It’s So Raven. The teenager entertained youth around the world with her unexpected premonitions that had her having fun experiences with her friends.
This comedy series gave Raven-Symoné the opportunity to work on other network television shows. However, all her appearances were related to the series, there were very few projects in which she participated without using the character of Raven.
NOW | Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné returned to acting with a second part of It’s So Raven, the sequel aired from 2017 to 2021. Within this period the actress made statements about her struggle with being overweight that surprised her fans.
In 2013, he confessed through a tweet that he belonged to the LGBTQ+ community. And, in 2020, she married her wife Miranda Maday. While the actress is not a very public person, she can occasionally be seen sharing on Instagram funny moments with her partner and talking about mental health.
BEFORE | Brenda Song
Impossible to forget the iconic London Tipton fromZack and Cody Twins in Action. With her witty comments and funny scenes within the series, Brenda Song won the hearts of all her fans with this hit series.
Then she was also part of a spin-off of this show called Zack and Cody: All Aboard. The actress’ eccentric character left a mark that is still present to this day, as multiple memes of her character can be seen on social networks.
NOW | Brenda Song
Leaving her Disney stint behind, Brenda Song appeared in several blockbuster films as a supporting character. One of these was The Social Network. Then she was very present in the media when her relationship with Macaulay Culkin became public.
The My Little Angel actor and Brenda, have been together since 2017. They currently have a daughter and both have stayed away from the cameras, keeping their life and the life of their little girl private. It is also not known if there are any professional projects they are both working on.
BEFORE | Shia Labeouf
Did you know that Shia Labeouf was a Disney kid? Very few know this part of his life, but, starring in the Disney series, Hand in Hand, was little Shia’s start in his Hollywood acting career.
His adorable character in the series made him quickly recognized, which led him to be invited to other productions such as ER Emergency Room and Freask and Geeks alongside actors like James Franco. However, this would only be the beginning of Labeouf’s successful and tumultuous life.
NOW | Shia Labeouf
Despite his fruitful acting career, Shia has not escaped controversy. His first scandal occurred when he starred in a music video with “inappropriate” scenes alongside the dancer Maddie Ziegler who was only 12 years old.
He later got in trouble with the law and was charged with disorderly conduct. He was also sued for plagiarizing a short film and had a controversial relationship with Mia Goth. Currently Labeouf has been accused of domestic and psychological violence by several of his former partners.
BEFORE | Demi Lovato
The actress and singer had an impressive career within Disney. Her talent in front of the cameras and when taking the microphone made her a teen superstar with multiple productions in the television network.
However, many of her accomplishments were overshadowed by the scandals that surrounded her. Rumors of substance abuse surfaced, in addition to her public feuds with singer Taylor Swift and her former best friend, Selena Gomez. But, none of this compared to the truth revealed later in her career.
NOW | Demi Lovato
The documentary Dancing with the Devil left everyone impressed with the singer’s statements. In this program Demi told details of her overdose in 2018, which gave her serious health sequelae and an unforgettable life lesson.
After this event she has been recovering and activating her music career. In 2021 she declared herself a non-binary genderqueer person, and has since dedicated herself to raising awareness about LGBTQ+ rights and educating her fans about the issue.
BEFORE | Ashley Tisdale
Another character almost as iconic as London Tipton, was Sharpay Evans. This East High teenager and co-star of High School Musical, was the perfect comedic touch the film needed.
Thanks to the fame of this character, Ashley Tisdale was able to participate in the next two films of this franchise, and also dabbled in music with her first album Headstrong, which was a success. In addition, he had appearances in other projects outside and inside Disney.
NOW | Ashley Tisdale
Despite her talent, the actress has not been part of very relevant movies or series among the public lately. However, she has remained active in her collaborations with Disney, being the voice of characters in several animated cartoons.
In 2019 she released her latest music album and in 2020 she announced she was expecting her first child. Now Tisdale is dedicated to her life as a mother and shows adorable moments with her baby and husband on her Instagram account.
BEFORE | Nick Jonas
Between Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas they fought for the position of the most loved by the fans in the band Jonas Brothers. And the fact is that the young Nick not only attracted teenage girls with his physique, but he also charmed them with his multiple talents as a singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist and drummer.
In addition, Nick showed his sensitive side by opening up about his disease, type 1 diabetes, diagnosed in 2005. Thus he has taken it upon himself to raise awareness about the issue and help others with his foundation.
NOW | Nick Jonas
After the band broke up, Nick released two solo albums. The first one was in 2014 and the second one in 2016. Both had an overwhelming receptivity from his fans.
While the singer was making it big on the music scene, his personal life was a topic of conversation. After hooking up with Kendall Jenner, Kate Hudson, Lily Collins and even Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, he ended up marrying Priyanka Chopra. Now the musician is back with the band Jonas Brothers, has a line of tequilas and participates in the giant show The Voice.
BEFORE | Dove Cameron
Little Cameron had her first Disney appearance as part of the cast of Descendants. This story that told the lives of the children of Disney villains became world famous and had several sequels and spin-offs.
The actress also had a brief participation in the world of music, demonstrating her many talents. At only 21 years old, she was nominated for Emmy Awards and also performed several voice-overs for Disney animated cartoons.
NOW | Dove Cameron
Now 25, Cameron has been dabbling in other projects away from children’s network television. And, although she is a fairly private person with her life, the actress and singer has been in the middle of several scandals over rumors of infidelity to her partner.
She’s also been criticized for racy photos she’s recently posted on her social media and caused a stir when she declared herself bisexual during an Instagram live, as even Dove is still linked to Disney kids’ shows.
BEFORE | Ricky Ullman
Remember the hilarious Phil of the Future series? This Disney show starring Ricky Ullman was as famous as Lizzie McGuire and Hannah Montana. The talented actor had the lead role and had a guest appearance on the show Pixel Perfect.
Unlike many Disney stars, Ricky had a fairly low-profile stint with the network. He was dedicated to working with Disney for three years and used this platform to do separate projects that didn’t have a big impact on the media.
NOW | Raviv Ullman
After stepping away from acting, Ricky Ullman changed his name to Raviv Ullman, which is his real name. The actor confessed that he had made the change, since using Raviv he was not accepted in auditions for television and film roles.
His last movie appearance was in 2010, since then he has had small roles in some series. However, he is constantly interacting with his followers on Instagram, where he recently caused a stir after posting a photo with Kim Kardashian showing a kiss that would have happened in 2007.
BEFORE | Roger Gonzalez
Zapping Zone was the program that brightened the afternoons of all children in Latin America. And although several hosts went through this show, Roger Gonzalez and Carla Medina left their mark with the excellent participation they had.
The Mexican is well remembered for his dynamism and fun way of driving. His talent led him to participate in several musical and acting collaborations within Disney, besides achieving a place in everyone’s heart making us remember good moments of our childhood every time we see him.
NOW | Roger Gonzalez
The years have passed in vain to Roger Gonzalez, so we can see it by taking a look at his social networks, which he always keeps active. After his departure from Disney, the host, singer and actor, participated in programs such as Todos Quieren Fama and Todo un Show.
He also had his own show titled Roger González Show, and now he is hosting Venga la Alegría. Although he has stayed away from scandals, many rumors have surfaced about his sexuality, which he has not denied or confirmed.
BEFORE | Carla Medina
Along with Roger Gonzalez, Carla Medina was known for hosting Zapping Zone every afternoon on Disney Channel. Her appearance on the show is as well remembered as her partner’s, as between them they made the program entertaining and fun for all children and teenagers.
Medina also had multiple participations in other projects of the channel. Thus, she was able to develop her career in several areas, such as music and acting. She lent her voice to important projects such as Buena suerte, Charlie! and Oz, el poderoso.
NOW | Carla Medina
Although she is not actively working with Disney now, she continues to be invited to projects related to the company. Her last job was dubbing the voice of Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz) in Black Widow.
She is also an active host of the E! channel. There she has shown her skills as an interviewer and has represented the channel in front of great artists on the red carpet. She is also the author of three books and has won several awards recognizing television hosts and entertainers.
BEFORE | Lindsay Lohan
More than 23 years have passed since the premiere of Twin Game, the movie that gave us the sweetest stage of Lindsay Lohan’s life. The little girl began her rise to fame in this first Disney production, which had a colossal reception in theaters.
Her work with the network was just beginning, as she starred in six more films as she got older. After that, her collaborations with other franchises were not long in coming, catapulting even more the fame that the actress already had.
NOW | Lindsay Lohan
Unfortunately, despite her successful acting career, Lohan was part of multiple scandals for excesses in her personal life between 2007 and 2014. The actress was committed to rehab several times and served more than three sentences in jail and under house arrest.
Putting these events behind her, Lindsay assures that she is currently sober and far from the life she led before. Although she hasn’t participated in movies or series, she appears very happy and healthy on her social networks. Her fans hope to see her return to acting soon.
BEFORE | Cameron Boyce
Little Cameron Boyce had his first Disney appearance by being part of the Jessie series. His character Luke Ross was one of the most prominent and beloved during the transmission of this children’s show.
Once the show came to an end, he continued with projects within the channel and co-starred in the films Descendants, Descendants 2 and Descendants 3, alongside his great friend actress Dove Cameron. The young star’s rise was imminent, and so began her involvement with various clothing and perfume brands.
NOW | Cameron Boyce
Unfortunately, Cameron Boyce passed away on July 6, 2019. The news shocked the entire entertainment world especially his colleagues with whom he shared while working at Disney Channel.
Dove Cameron and Karan Brar were the most affected by the event, and they showed it publicly with emotional videos and writings shared on their social networks. Karan even got a tattoo in memory of his friend. The actor is still remembered by all his fans, who continue to leave memorial messages on Boyce’s latest Instagram photo.
