9 of the Disney channel's biggest stars, then and now
It's 25 years since the channel debuted!
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 and Hannah Montana or, later on, Shake It Up and Sonny With A Chance provided perfect family entertainment.
With that in mind, we're looking back on the channel's biggest stars, reaching to the past to see how they looked in the Disney heyday, and how they're doing now as successful, young artists still working in the industry.
Honestly, we feel old. Buckle up...
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 Cinderella Story and Gossip Girl. After finding success in Younger – and earning her character her own spin-off – Hilary vows to return with a Lizzie McGuire spin-off.
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 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 success as a singer with her band – Selena and the Scene – as well as solo. With 194.1 million Instagram followers, she is one of the most followed people in the world.
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 will soon be seen in sci-fi blockbuster Dune.
Zac Efron then...
Zac 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.
Miley Cyrus then...
By day, she was Miley, student, friend, daughter, sister. By night, she was Hannah Montana, the world's biggest popstar.
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'. She performed at Glastonbury 2019, and just debuted certified banger 'Midnight Sky'.
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 Simone 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.
If that didn't make you feel nostalgic enough, then fire up Disney +, watch some of your old favourites and raise a glass (of orange squash?) to Disney Channel. Happy birthday!