10 Former Disney Channel Stars Who Are Still Successful Today
It feels like just yesterday these former child stars smiled big on our TVs, saying that popular "you're watching Disney channel" catchphrase before drawing the channel's logo with a "magic wand." Back in the day, this was a dream for every child actor and actress. A lot of stars have used their Disney careers as a stepping stone to go onto even bigger superstardom, while dozens of others failed to live up to the standards.
Some of Disney's biggest names, like Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato, have ventured into pop music, while others transformed into people we barely know anymore. Here's a little throwback to the top ten former Disney Channel stars who are still successful today.
10 Zac Efron
Zac Efron rose to prominence after his Troy Bolton portrayal on Disney's High School Musical and High School Musical 2 catapulted him to stardom. Now, the 33-year-old actor has fully embraced his new "daddy" look and is enjoying his $25 million net-worth.
9 Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne, of Disney's Shake It Up, pulled a 180-degree transformation from a teenybopper Disney star to an absolute bombshell. To this day, the 23-year-old actress has done it all from acting, directing, and even venturing into pop music. She released her debut single "Watch Me" in 2011 and debuted her directorial skill in 2019 with the adult movie Her & Him. Thorne's versatility contributed to her $12 million net-worth.
8 Zendaya
Bella Thorne's former Disney Channel sidekick, Zendaya has also found quite a bit of success since her time on Disney. She made her breakthrough as a child model and dancer before signing to Disney Channel in 2009 for the sitcom Shake It Up with Thorne.
Zendaya went on to star in several big movie productions, including The Greatest Showman and Spiderman: Far From Home. Her recent movie, Malcolm & Marie, has just premiered on Netflix. The Euphoria star is now worth over $15 million net-worth.
7 Demi Lovato
Since her Disney days, Demi Lovato has been more focused on music. The former Camp Rock star debuted her pop-rock-influenced debut album, Don't Forget, in 2008 after signing to Hollywood Records.
She has sold over two million albums in the U.S. alone, and is recognized as one of the most popular artists today. After a long battle with addiction and several mental health struggles, Lovato is now ready to get back into acting and music.
6 Selena Gomez
After Disney, Wizards of Waverly Place star, Selena Gomez formed the pop-rock band Selena Gomez & the Scene in 2008. The California-based band released their debut album, Kiss & Tell, a year later.
After the band's 2012 hiatus, Gomez rebranded herself as a solo act and released three more albums. In addition to starring in HBO's fun cooking show, Selena + Chef, Selena Gomez is now gearing up to release her first all-Spanish EP, Revelación in 2021.
5 Dylan & Cole Sprouse
Power twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse were considered two of the most "bankable" young actors in the 2000s thanks to their sitcom hit The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, having amassed millions in net-worth. Now, Cole is focusing on the newest season of Riverdale, while Dylan has also been involved with fantasy pandemic-thriller, Tyger Tyger.
4 Vanessa Hudgens
Another High School Musical alumni, Vanessa Hudgens also landed a recording deal with Hollywood Records, although she only managed to create two studio albums.
Now, the 32-year-old actress is focused on her modeling and acting. She's still a super-bonafide star, with a handful of popular movies under her belt. One of Hudgens' latest movies, Bad Boys for Life, scored $426 million gross worldwide.
3 Hilary Duff
This list wouldn't be complete without Hilary Duff, as she's been constantly hailed as an inspiration by younger Disney stars like Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. Just like most Disney actresses, Duff also ventured into pop music.
Thanks to that and her part on TV Land's Younger series, Hilary Duff now has an estimated net worth of $25 million. These days, the former teen idol is a mother of two and is expecting her third later this year!
2 Debby Ryan
The Suite Life on Deck alumni, Debby Ryan shared the stage with the Sprouse brothers for over three years from 2008 to 2011. After the show's ending, Ryan was given her own Disney sitcom, Jessie.
Since her time on Disney, the Alabama actress has taken her acting career to new heights. The active philanthropist is now gearing up for Netflix's upcoming thriller Night Teeth, coming in 2021.
1 Miley Cyrus
Despite being raised in a "castle," Miley Cyrus has always been a hard worker ever since her Hannah Montana days. Putting her controversial antics and stunts aside, Cyrus is an energetic entertainer. She's fluent in acting, as well as performing a wide range of music from pop, rock, hip-hop, experimental, and country-pop. She's amassed over $160 million in net worth. Miley Cyrus is definitely one of Disney Channel's most successful stars to date.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGhoaWWWpL%2BusdFmm6KrnprGbq%2FHmqWnnZxiwLWt0axksKCfYq6zsYysq6KknGLAtq%2FCnqqsnqWherW7w5qwaA%3D%3D