Entertainment
What 16 Former Disney Stars Were Up to In 2013
Disney stars: They grow up so fast, don't they? While we may hear about Miley Cyrus' shenanigans on a near-daily basis, there is an entire group of former Disney kids whom we rarely hear about. Sure, it can be hard to try to top Cyrus' antics, but just because the artist formerly known as Hannah Montana is making headlines for her controversial behavior (not to mention wardrobe) doesn't mean that some of these other stars haven't had their time to shine (or stumble) in the past year.
In fact, these former Disney stars have been up to some big things, both in and out of the entertainment industry. Which former Disney star came out to fans via social media? Who is releasing a new album later this year? And which Disney princess just can't quit the Biebs? (Okay, that one was easy.) Whether you're nostalgic for That's So Raven, Lizzie McGuire, or all of those Disney Channel Original Movies, you may be surprised where the stars of your favorite shows and movies ended up. Click on through to see what former Disney kids had a big year... and which ones will be making a whole new set of resolutions for 2014.
Raven-Symoné
The former star of Disney channel favorite That’s So Raven (it’s-the-future-I-can-SEE… ), Raven may not have any serious TV credits since her ABC Family show State of Georgia ended in 2011, but that doesn’t mean she’s given up on acting. Raven recently starred in the Broadway show Sister Act. Raven made some significant strides in her personal life as well — she came out as a lesbian via Twitter after the Supreme Courts’ same sex marriage decision: “I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you”.
Hilary Duff
Could this be the most well-adjusted former Disney star out there? Hilary Duff has done several TV movies and independent films since the end of her short stint on Gossip Girl in 2009, but her main focus has been on raising her son, Luca, and working with her various charities. This year, Duff has been busy posting about a billion adorable Instagram photos of baby Luca (aww!) and working with organizations like Stomp Out Bullying, an anti-bullying movement in which Hilary co-starred in the video campaign for.
Dylan and Cole Sprouse
The twins took over the Tipton Hotel on their show The Suite Life and a cruise ship/school/hotel (this concept still makes no sense to me) on their spinoff series The Suite Life on Deck. In 2013, the twins were busy taking over New York City. The twins are currently students at NYU, living a (supposedly) normal college life. Though the twins were named the wealthiest teens in 2010, Dylan Sprouse currently holds a job as a host in a New York City restaurant, which he says helps him feed his video game addiction.
Emily Osment
The former Hannah Montana actress hasn’t stopped acting since the show ended in 2011. Osment has mostly stuck to TV movies like the (ridiculously dramatic) Cyberbully. This year she has filmed the independent drama Kiss Me and will be the lead in the new ABC Family series Young and Hungry, where she will play a chef who can predict what people want to eat. (This is riveting drama, people.)
Shia LaBeouf
The former Even Stevens star may have a plethora of paparazzi confrontations and bar fights under his belt, but this year, he’ll also have his first starring role in a Lars von Trier film. We’ll get to see LaBeouf in le buff in his latest film venture, Nymphomaniac, when it is released this December.
Selena Gomez
One of the few Disney stars who has been able to make the transition from child star to real actress relatively smoothly, Gomez definitely had a reason to celebrate in 2013. This year, Selena released a chart-topping new album, had very first scandalous movie role in Spring Breakers, and broke up with Justin Bieber (though how broken up they are will remain to be seen).
Demi Lovato
After a difficult 2012, during which Demi Lovato opened up about recovering from an eating disorder and struggling with mental illness, Lovato had a seriously awesome 2013. She returned as a judge on The X Factor, released a new album, and has a guest spot on the fifth season of Glee .
The Jonas Brothers
The biggest news that the Jonas Brothers had in 2013? That they would no longer be the Jonas Brothers… at least, musically speaking. The band canceled their tour and upcoming album, citing that they simply were heading different ways musically. The brothers will continue to be brothers forever, though, because that’s kind of how that works. Kevin Jonas will welcome his first child with wife Danielle Jonas in 2014.
Corbin Bleu
This High School Musical star recently finished a Broadway stint in the revival of Godspell. Currently, Bleu – whose last major TV role was in the short-lived CW drama The Beautiful Life – will be in the web relaunch of the daytime soap opera, One Life to Live.
Lindsay Lohan
Oh, poor, poor Lindsay. We have all been waiting eagerly for the comeback that just never seems to happen. Despite starring in the atrocious Scary Movie 5 and the (umm, bizarre) film The Canyons , Lohan still had her own demons to struggle with. She went back to rehab in 2013. Things may be turning around for Lohan, though. She filled in for Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately and was met with mostly positive reviews. She’ll also star in her own docu-series on Oprah Winfrey’s cable network OWN. Let’s hope the cameras do some good for Lohan in 2014.
Ashley Tisdale
The former Suite Life and High School Musical star made a surprising career move with her starring role in Scary Movie 5. Though it was the lowest grossing Scary Movie (not to mention one of the worst films most people have ever seen, ever), Tisdale did get to star alongside Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen. Oh, wait, that’s actually not an upside…
Kyle Massey
Kyle Massey’s greatest achievement of the past few years? Being the runner-up on Dancing With the Stars. Kyle Massey is currently the voice of Milo in the animated series Fish Hooks. He also seems perfectly healthy, despite a recent rumor stating that the former That’s So Raven and Corey in the House star had been diagnosed with cancer.
Zac Efron
I’ll be honest: I didn’t really see the appeal of Zac in the High School Musical franchise. Do I see the appeal now? Umm, yes, obviously, because just look at him. Though Zac had a couple of bumps in the road in 2013 (notably, a secret trip to rehab to mend his apparent “party boy” ways), he also churned out a few movies, including the upcoming comedy frat comedy Neighbors alongside Seth Rogen.
Tahj Mowry
The Smart Guy is back on TV! In addition to not having a scandalous past, this former Disney actor actually went to college after his kid acting days were over. Now, he’s back in the game with a role on the (surprisingly decent) ABC Family sitcom Baby Daddy.
Mitchel Musso
After a DUI arrest in 2012, Hannah Montana’s BFF dropped out of his Disney XD show Pair of Kings. Musso currently has a recurring voiceover role on Disney cartoon Phineas and Ferb and has released a new album in 2013 entitled Lonely.
Miley Cyrus
What has Miley been up to? We think that this video sums it up.
