50 Disney Stars Through the Years : Then and Now

The Disney Channel child star to adult superstar pipeline is undeniable. Many Disney stars found their breakthrough roles on Disney Channel — from live-action shows like “Lizzie McGuire” and “Shake It Up” to original movies like “Cheetah Girls” and “High School Musical.” These stars have become fundamental parts of childhoods everywhere, bringing many beloved Disney Channel characters to life.

But where are they now?

Many Disney actors have gone on to become some of the most successful actors, musicians, and artists in the world. Some have even skyrocketed to global superstardom, gaining massive followings on social media platforms like TikTok. This leads us to wonder: Where are some of our favorite Disney movie and TV actors from the early 2000s and 2010s now?

1. Zendaya

Zendaya, the star of “Shake It Up” and “K.C. Undercover,” has achieved immense success since leaving Disney Channel in 2018. She leads HBO’s “Euphoria,” winning an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. While her solo music career has been on hold since 2013, Zendaya has shined on the big screen in blockbusters like Marvel’s Spider-Man trilogy, Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” adaptations, and “The Greatest Showman.” She’s also become a fashion icon, featuring in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Bulgari, and Lancôme.

2. Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter, best known as Maya Hart on “Girl Meets World,” has transitioned to the big screen with roles in “The Hate U Give,” “Tall Girl,” and Netflix’s upcoming “Alice in Wonderland” musical. An established musician, she released her fifth studio album, “Emails I Can’t Send,” in 2022, and recently opened for Taylor Swift in Australia. Carpenter made her Broadway debut in 2020 with “Mean Girls.”

3. Olivia Holt

“Kickin’ It” star Olivia Holt left Disney in 2015 but continued acting. She starred in Marvel’s “Cloak & Dagger” and currently plays Kate Wallis in Freeform’s “Cruel Summer.” Most recently, she starred in “Totally Killer” alongside Kiernan Shipka.

4. The Jonas Brothers

Nick, Kevin, and Joe Jonas transformed dramatically since their Disney Channel days. After a hiatus, they reunited to release “Happiness Begins” in 2019 and “The Album” in 2023, reviving their music careers.

5. Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus, known for “Hannah Montana,” has had a varied and successful career post-Disney. She has released five albums, with the latest being “Endless Summer” in 2023. Cyrus also appeared in a “Black Mirror” episode and won a Grammy.

6. Dylan and Cole Sprouse

“The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse pursued different paths post-Disney. Both graduated from New York University in 2015. Cole starred in “Riverdale” and movies like “Five Feet Apart,” while Dylan opened a meadery and returned to acting in films like “After We Collided.”

7. Zac Efron

From “High School Musical” heartthrob to international movie star, Zac Efron has starred in numerous films, including “17 Again,” “Neighbors,” and “The Greatest Showman.” He also hosts the Netflix show “Down to Earth with Zac Efron,” which won him a Daytime Emmy in 2021.

8. Rowan Blanchard

Rowan Blanchard, from “Girl Meets World,” left Disney in 2018. The 20-year-old is now a fashion icon and activist, recently starring in Peacock’s “Poker Face” and Hulu’s “Crush.”

9. Dove Cameron

Dove Cameron, famous for her role in Disney’s “Descendants” trilogy, has starred in Apple TV+’s “Schmigadoon!” and is set to play Bubbles in The CW’s “The Powerpuff Girls.” She released her second EP, “Alchemical: Volume 1,” in 2023.

10. Skai Jackson

“Jessie” and “Bunk’d” star Skai Jackson continued voice acting and appeared in Lil Nas X’s “Panini” music video. She was a semi-finalist on “Dancing With the Stars” and released a book in 2019.

11. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez, from “Wizards of Waverly Place,” has flourished as a singer, actor, and entrepreneur. She released five studio albums and stars in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” Gomez co-founded the mental health start-up Wondermind.

12. Peyton List

Peyton List, whose “Bunk’d” tenure ended in 2021, stars in Netflix’s “Cobra Kai” and Paramount+’s “School Spirits.”

13. Tia and Tamera Mowry

While not originally Disney stars, Tia and Tamera Mowry joined the Disney Channel alumni roster with “Twitches.” Tia starred in “Family Reunion,” while Tamera co-hosted “The Real” and appeared on “The Masked Singer.”

14. Ross Lynch

Ross Lynch transitioned from “Austin & Ally” to Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and performs with his alt-rock band The Driver Era.

15. Debby Ryan

Debby Ryan, from “Suite Life on Deck” and “Jessie,” has appeared in Netflix’s “Insatiable” and “Night Teeth,” as well as voiced roles in “Velma.”

16. Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné, of “That’s So Raven” and “Cheetah Girls,” continues to act and reprised her role in “Raven’s Home.” She was also a talk show host on “The View.”

17. China Anne McClain

China Anne McClain has transitioned from Disney to TikTok stardom and starred in “Black Lightning.”

18. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato, from “Camp Rock” and “Sonny With a Chance,” focuses on their music career, releasing several hit albums. Lovato also acts, with recent projects including the film “Tow.”

19. Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff, from “Lizzie McGuire,” stars in Hulu’s “How I Met Your Father” and has appeared in several shows and films.

20. Raini Rodriguez

“Austin & Ally” star Raini Rodriguez focuses on voice acting, including roles in “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous” and “Rugrats.”

21. Booboo Stewart

“Descendants” star Booboo Stewart appears in Netflix’s “Julie and the Phantoms” and Amazon Prime Video’s “Paradise City.”

22. Thomas Doherty

Thomas Doherty stars in HBO Max’s “Gossip Girl” reboot and has appeared in “Legacies,” “High Fidelity,” and “The Invitation.”

23. Adrienne Bailon

Adrienne Bailon, now Adrienne Houghton, co-hosted “The Real” and appeared on “The Masked Singer.” She reprised her role in “Raven’s Home.”

24. Brenda Song

Brenda Song has appeared in “Scandal,” “New Girl,” “Station 19,” and voiced roles in “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” and “Blue Eyed Samurai.” She is married to Macaulay Culkin, and they have two children.

25. Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens starred in Netflix’s “Tick, Tick… Boom!” and “The Princess Switch” films. She is expecting her first child with MLB player Cole Tucker.

26. Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne has taken on adult roles in “Scream Queens” and Netflix’s “Babysitter” films. She has upcoming projects in production.

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