16 Disney Stars: Then Vs. What They Do Now
Disney Channel has been a launching pad for countless young talents over the years, catapulting them from unknown kids into household names. Some went on to become global superstars, while others chose completely different paths that might surprise you.
From Grammy winners to nurses, from billionaire entrepreneurs to real estate agents, these former Disney stars have taken their lives in fascinating directions. The magic of Disney stardom is that it gives young performers a platform to discover who they really are.
Here is a list of 16 Disney stars and what they’re up to now.
Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana made Miley Cyrus a global phenomenon when the show premiered in 2006. Playing the double life of regular teenager Miley Stewart and pop superstar Hannah Montana, Cyrus became Disney’s biggest star.
Her journey since leaving Disney has been anything but predictable, from her rebellious ‘Bangerz’ era to her recent country music phase. In 2024, she won her first Grammy Awards for her massive hit ‘Flowers’ and became the youngest person ever to be named a Disney Legend at age 31.
Selena Gomez
After starting on Barney & Friends, Selena Gomez found her breakout role as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place from 2007 to 2012. She’s since become one of the most successful Disney alumni, balancing acting and music careers.
Gomez currently stars in the hit series Only Murders in the Building and recently appeared in the Oscar-winning film Emilia Pérez. Her beauty brand Rare Beauty has made her a billionaire, with the company reportedly worth over $800 million as of 2024.
Zac Efron
High School Musical turned Zac Efron into the ultimate teen heartthrob starting in 2006. Playing basketball star Troy Bolton, he captured hearts with his singing and dancing abilities across three films.
Efron has successfully transitioned to adult roles in major Hollywood productions like The Greatest Showman, Baywatch, and The Iron Claw. His 2023 performance in The Iron Claw was particularly praised as career-defining work, showing his range as a dramatic actor.
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Zendaya
Before becoming a major Hollywood star, Zendaya got her start on Disney’s Shake It Up as Rocky Blue. She’s now one of the most successful former Disney stars, starring in blockbuster franchises like Spider-Man and Dune.
Her role in HBO’s Euphoria earned her Emmy recognition and showed her dramatic acting chops. Zendaya is confirmed to appear in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, cementing her status as a top-tier actress.
Sabrina Carpenter
Starting with small roles in Disney shows like Austin & Ally, Sabrina Carpenter’s big break came with Girl Meets World where she played Maya Hart. She’s had a massive 2024, becoming one of the year’s biggest music breakouts with hits like ‘Espresso,’ ‘Please Please Please,’ and ‘Taste.’
Her album Short n’ Sweet was released in August 2024 and broke multiple streaming records, proving that Disney stars can still achieve massive mainstream success.
Bridgit Mendler
Good Luck Charlie star Bridgit Mendler took perhaps the most unexpected career path of any Disney alum. After the show ended, she pursued higher education with serious dedication.
She earned a master’s degree from MIT and a law degree from Harvard. In 2024, she co-founded Northwood Space, a satellite data startup where she serves as CEO, proving that Disney stars can literally reach for the stars in new ways.
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Jennifer Stone
Playing Harper Finkle, Selena Gomez’s best friend on Wizards of Waverly Place, Jennifer Stone was a fan favorite. She made a complete career pivot, leaving acting to become a registered nurse at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked on the frontlines helping patients, showing that some Disney stars choose to make a difference in more personal ways than entertainment.
David Henrie
The responsible older brother Justin Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place, David Henrie has stayed connected to Disney in recent years. He tried his hand at directing and producing after the original show ended.
In 2024, he returned to Disney Channel to reprise his role as Justin in the sequel series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, where he also works as a producer, proving that sometimes you can go home again.
Brenda Song
London Tipton from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody became one of Disney’s most memorable characters thanks to Brenda Song’s comedic timing. She’s continued acting in various projects and made headlines for her personal life after marrying Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin.
The couple has two children together and they met on the set of Seth Green’s directorial debut Changeland, showing that love can bloom in unexpected places.
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Hilary Duff
Often considered one of the original Disney Channel stars, Hilary Duff played Lizzie McGuire from 2001 to 2004. She’s maintained a steady career in entertainment, appearing in shows like How I Met Your Father (though it was canceled after two seasons) and various independent films.
Duff has focused heavily on her family life, raising four children with her husband Matthew Koma while continuing to work selectively in the industry.
Clayton Snyder
Remember Ethan Craft, the dreamy heartthrob from Lizzie McGuire? Clayton Snyder took a complete step back from acting after high school to attend Pepperdine University, where he played water polo.
He even played professionally in Italy for a year before transitioning into real estate. He’s now a successful real estate agent and finds it amusing when clients halfway through house tours suddenly recognize him from his Disney days.
Vanessa Hudgens
Gabriella Montez from the High School Musical trilogy, Vanessa Hudgens has maintained a successful acting career post-Disney. She’s appeared in films ranging from Spring Breakers to the recent Bad Boys franchise movies.
Hudgens gave birth to her first child earlier in 2024, marking a new chapter in her life while continuing to balance her entertainment career with motherhood.
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Ashley Tisdale
Sharpay Evans was the scene-stealing diva of High School Musical, and Ashley Tisdale has channeled that business savvy into entrepreneurship. She’s now the CEO of Frenshe, a successful bath and body care brand sold exclusively at Target.
Tisdale has been married since 2014 and continues to work on music projects while building her business empire, showing that Disney stars can successfully pivot to become business moguls.
Emily Osment
Lilly Truscott, Miley’s best friend on Hannah Montana, was played by Emily Osment who began acting at a young age. After Hannah Montana ended, she appeared in shows like Young & Hungry and had recurring roles in Mom and The Kominsky Method.
Osment has successfully transitioned to more mature roles while maintaining steady work in television, proving that supporting Disney characters can have lasting careers too.
The Jonas Brothers
Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas became Disney sensations through Camp Rock and their own series Jonas. After taking a break to pursue solo careers, they reunited as the Jonas Brothers and have found massive success again.
Nick currently stars on Broadway, while the group continues touring and recording together. Joe went through a highly publicized divorce from Sophie Turner, but the brothers remain close and continue making music together.
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Morgan York
Hannah Montana featured several supporting characters, including one played by Morgan York who decided entertainment wasn’t her calling. She completely left acting behind to pursue a career in literature and publishing.
York now works at a publishing house and hopes to get her own books published, explaining that acting stopped being fun and her passion for literature outweighed the costs of staying in entertainment.
The Disney Legacy Lives On
These 16 stars represent just a fraction of the talent that Disney Channel has launched over the years. From billion-dollar business owners to frontline medical workers, from Grammy winners to real estate professionals, they’ve proven that Disney stardom can be a stepping stone to virtually any career path.
What’s most fascinating is how each star has stayed true to their own interests and values, whether that meant chasing Hollywood dreams or finding fulfillment in completely different fields entirely.
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