15 of Disney's biggest young stars, then and now

They've gone on to do big things!

Published 1st Jan 2025

If you're anything like us, the Disney Channel was a big part of your life! Whether you watched it as a child, or watched it with your own children, shows like That's So Raven, Hannah Montana and Lizzie McGuire provided perfect family entertainment. Even before the channel became a household staple, Disney launched many young stars through its Mickey Mouse Club!

With that in mind, we're looking back on Disney's biggest homegrown talent, reaching to the past to see how they looked in the Disney heyday, and how they're doing now as successful performers still working in the industry.

Honestly, we feel old. Buckle up...

Britney Spears then...

Superstar Britney Spears first found fame as one of Disney's Mouseketeers in the 90s. The Mickey Mouse Club aired on American TV and showed youngsters performing and taking part in a number of tasks as part of the variety show.

Britney Spears now...

Britney became a household name just a few years later, when she released her debut single 'Baby One More Time' at the age of 16. She's gone on to carve herself a successful music career, with songs like 'Toxic', 'Crazy' and 'Oops!...I Did It Again'.

Justin Timberlake then...

You'll likely remember Justin Timberlake's heavily publicised relationship with Britney Spears, but did you know they were also childhood friends, with Justin having been a member of the Mickey Mouse Club too. He became a Mouseketeer at just 13 years old, before joining NSYNC just two years later.

Justin Timberlake now...

Before becoming a world-famous recording artist in his own right, Justin was one-fifth of 90s boyband NSYNC. He's since released six studio albums and more than 50 singles as a solo artist, including 'Cry Me A River', 'Rock Your Body' and Trolls theme tune 'Can't Stop The Feeling!'

Christina Aguilera then...

Another Mouseketeer, Christina Aguilera found fame alongside pals Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in the 90s series of the Mickey Mouse Club. She released her first single just a few years later in 1999.

Christina Aguilera now...

Known for her unbelievable vocal range, Christina has become one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, with tracks like 'Dirrty', 'Beautiful', 'Genie In A Bottle' and 'Lady Marmalade'. She's also appeared in movies, such as Burlesque and was a judge on the US version of The Voice.

Ryan Gosling then...

A lesser-known member of the the Mouseketters, Ryan Gosling also joined the 1990s cohort of the Mickey Mouse Club in his early teens, alongside Britney, Justin and Christina. When the show finished in 1995, he went on to star in TV shows Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Ryan Gosling now...

Now famed for THAT role, as Barbie's Ken, Ryan Gosling has become a modern-day heart-throb, starring in The Notebook, La La Land and The Fall Guy, among many other movies. And who can forget the 'I'm Just Ken' music video?!

Cole and Dylan Sprouse then...

After appearing in Big Daddy – they both played Julian 'Frankenstein' McGrath – and Cole's role of Ben Geller in Friends, the twins hit the mainstream in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, following the double trouble of two brothers living in a swanky hotel.

Cole and Dylan Sprouse now...

Cole has continued to find success in acting, particularly in hit show Riverdale. Dylan has shown less eagerness to remain in the industry – although he has appeared in short films - and is the co-owner of a meadery in Brooklyn.

Hilary Duff then…

Who didn't love Lizzie McGuire? Hilary played the girl next door who had two loving parents, an annoying brother, two best friends, a nemesis and an imaginary cartoon sidekick. The show ran for two seasons and 65 episodes.

Hilary Duff now...

Hilary enjoyed a vaguely successful recording career after leaving the programme, as well as appearing in a number of movies and TV shows, including A Cinderella Story, Gossip Girl, Cheaper By The Dozen, Casper Meets Wendy and more recently, Younger. Lizzie McGuire also had her own movie spin-off, which is still a firm favourite amongst Disney fans.

Demi Lovato then...

After a childhood spent on Barney & Friends, Demi became a tween queen after an appearance in the Disney Channel's Camp Rock films and a stint as Sonny in Sonny With A Chance.

Demi Lovato now...

Demi has found huge success in the music industry with songs including 'Skyscraper', 'Heart Attack', 'Confident' and 'Cool For The Summer'. They even had a cameo in the Netflix hit Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga.

Selena Gomez then...

Selena Gomez played Alex Russo, a spunky New Yorker who happens to be a wizard in training in The Wizards Of Waverley Place. The series ran on the Disney Channel from October 2007 to January 2012.

Selena Gomez now...

With films like Monte Carlo, The Fundamentals of Caring and The Spring Breakers under her belt, Selena has proven herself as a bankable star, and also found huge success as a singer, with hits like 'Calm Down' and 'Good For You'. With 423 million Instagram followers, she is one of the most followed people in the world. Selena has now returned to the role that made her a star, with the release of Disney Channel's Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.

Zendaya then...

Zendaya first rose to international attention of Shake It Up, a Disney channel series focused on the exploits of two wannabe dancers, played by Zendaya and Bella Thorne. She stayed with the channel until 2018, starring in spy series K.C. Undercover.

Zendaya now...

It is remarkable that it took only two years for Zendaya to make the jump to the mainstream. Following a role in the Spiderman franchise, she won an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama for Euphoria and starred in one of the biggest live-action musicals of all time; 'The Greatest Showman'.

Zac Efron then...

Zac Efron became a sensation and international teen idol thanks to his role as Troy in the Disney Channel's three-strong High School Musical franchise. He was an actual god during that time. Even if he didn't actually sing in the first one...

Zac Efron now...

After roles in The Greatest Showman, Baywatch and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile, Zac has taken a step back and embraced nature in Netflix series Down To Earth With Zac Efron. He also recently starred in 'A Family Affair' alongside Nicole Kidman.

Miley Cyrus then...

By day, she was Miley Stewart - student, friend, daughter, sister. By night, she was Hannah Montana, the world's biggest popstar. Miley Cyrus was just 13-years-old when she started out in the iconic role, starring in what became widely-considered one of Disney's most successful shows of all time.

Miley Cyrus now...

After hanging up the wig, Miley launched a film and music career, with hits including 'Can't Be Tamed', 'Party In The USA' and 'Malibu'. Introducing the world to her solo music, Miley released her debut album 'Meet Miley Cyrus' as a double album, alongside 'Hannah Montana 2', in 2007. It's fair to say she achieved global success, now with over 10 solo studio albums and two Grammy Awards under her belt. She performed at Glastonbury 2019, debuting certified banger 'Midnight Sky', and in 2024 she won two Grammys for her hit 'Flowers' before being crowned an official Disney Legend.

Shia LaBeouf then…

Shia was the lead in Even Stevens, in which he played the mischievous Louis, the middle child in a chaotic family. It was cancelled after 65 episodes, back when the channel had a personal rule to never surpass that number (the same thing happened with Lizzie McGuire. Madness!)

Shia LaBeouf now...

Who would have thought Louis Stevens would prove to be one of the Disney Channel's biggest acting talents. Since leaving the channel he's shown up in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Transformers, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Honey Boy and The Peanut Butter Falcon.

Raven Symone then...

Raven was already famous before taking the lead in That's So Raven, thanks to her role in The Cosby Show. But in playing a high school psychic with a tendency to get into trouble, she cemented her status as a Disney star.

Raven Symone now...

Raven has returned to the channel, starring in That's So Raven spin-off Raven's Home. She has been a regular on The View, and recently popped up on the US version of Celebrity Gogglebox.

Sabrina Carpenter then...

Making a name for herself on Disney's Girl Meets World, Sabrina Carpenter played Maya Hart for three years, while releasing music on the side.

Sabrina Carpenter now...

Now a multi-platinum selling artist, Sabrina Carpenter has released huge hits such as 'Espresso', 'Taste' and 'Feather' and has been nominated for six Grammys at the 2025 awards.

Olivia Rodrigo then...

Olivia Rodrigo started her career in the spotlight in 2016 at the age of 13, when she appeared in Disney's Bizaardvark. The show ran for three years before Liv joined the cast of High School Musical: The Series. She left after season three to pursue a music career.

Olivia Rodrigo now...

Now having released two huge albums and accompanying world tours, Olivia Rodrigo is one of the biggest artists of recent years. Known for hits like 'Drivers Licence' and 'Good 4 U', the singer has a massive following and a tonne of awards under her belt, including three Grammys!

If that didn't make you feel nostalgic enough, then fire up Disney +, watch some of your old favourites.

You can sign up to Disney+ from £4.99 per month.

Now check out these upcoming Disney movies...

Snow White

Release date: 21st March 2025

Cast: Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Andrew Burnap as Jonathan and Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman.

Synopsis: Not too much has been said about the upcoming live-action remake of Snow White, but we're guessing it'll follow a pretty similar storyline to the 1937 original.

Elio

Release date: 13th June 2025

Cast: Yonas Kibreab as Elio Solis, America Ferrera as Major Olga Solis, Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa and Brad Garrett as Ambassador Grigon.

Synopsis: "For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers—in Disney and Pixar's all-new movie Elio, the universe calls back! The original feature film introduces Elio, an underdog with an active imagination who finds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide. Mistakenly identified as Earth's ambassador to the rest of the universe, and completely unprepared for that kind of pressure, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, survive a series of formidable trials and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be."

Lilo & Stitch

Release date: Summer 2025

Cast: Maia Kealoha (Lilo), Chris Sanders (Stitch), Sydney Agudong (Nani), Billy Magnussen (Pleakley), Zach Galifianakis (Jumba), Amy Hill ( Tūtū), Kaipo Dudoit (David), Courtney B. Vance (Cobra Bubbles), Tia Carrere (Mrs. Kekoa).

Synopsis: A live-action reimagining of Disney's 2002 animated classic, Lilo & Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family.

Freaky Friday 2

Release date: 8th August 2025

Cast: Returning to reprise their roles are Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Haley Hudson, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky and Rosalind Chao. New characters will be played by Julia Butters, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Sophia Hammons.

Synopsis: There's no word yet on what the plot will entail!

Zootopia 2

Release date: 26th November 2025

Cast: TBC

Synopsis: TBC

Toy Story 5

Release date: 19th June 2026

Cast: Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear.

Synopsis: There aren't too many details about this film yet, but Pixar CCO Pete Docter said in February 2023 that the film would be "surprising" and have "cool things you've never seen before".

Moana

Release date: 10th July 2026

Cast: Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, Dwayne Johnson as Maui, John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.

Synopsis: It's very early stages in the project, but it's thought that the storyline will follow the 2016 animated original.

Frozen III

Release date: TBC

Cast: So far, we only know that Josh Gad is returning as Olaf the Snowman.

Synopsis: There's no word yet on what might happen in Frozen III!