There are so many stars who got their start on Disney Channel throughout the 2000’s in shows like Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and many others. There are many stars whose names we still hear about in the headlines, like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, and others who made a tremendous mark on the Disney Channel brand but have stepped out of the limelight since then.
As for those who are no longer in the spotlight – where are they now?
David Henrie
Henrie made his big break as Justin, the big brother of Alex (Selena Gomez) and Max (Jake T. Austin), on Wizards of Waverly Place. Since the show ended after 4 seasons in 2012, Henrie has continued acting, as well as producing and directing. He appears in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and produce his own short film Catch. Henrie got married in 2017 to his wife Maria and welcomed a daughter, Pia, in March of 2019.
Mitchel Musso
After playing Oliver Oken, the shaggy haired best friend of Miley Stewart in Hannah Montana, Musso booked his own show Pair of Kings on Disney XD. But Musso was written off the show after he was arrested for a DUI. Since then he has dabbled in voice overs for both Phineas and Ferb and Milo Murphy’s Law. As well as music, he released a song “Replaceable” in 2012.
Brenda Song
Since starring as London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, as well as The Suite Life on Deck, Brenda Song has appeared in a few smaller films, as well as a couple episodes of both Scandal and New Girl.
She also stars in a new Hulu Original show Dollface, alongside Shay Mitchell and Kat Dennings. Additionally, Brenda has made headlines in recent years for her on-and-off 7-year relationship with Trace Cyrus (Miley Cyrus’s brother), and her current relationship with Macaulay Culkin.
LaLaine Vergara-Paras
Best known for her role as Miranda Sanchez on Lizzie McGuire, LaLaine Vergara-Paras has continued acting in smaller roles post Disney Channel. Since her days as Miranda Sanchez she has popped up in Easy A with Emma Stone, as well as a few web series such as ShaneDawsonTV and Christy’s Kitchen Throwback.
Kyle Massey
Kyle Massey got his start as Raven’s little brother, Cory Baxter, on That’s So Raven. Massey then landed his own spinoff Cory in the House, which followed Cory Baxter as he moved from San Francisco to Washington D.C. after his dad got a new job as head chef at the White House. Post Disney, Massey started a rap duo with his brother Chris Massey (who played Michael on Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101). And in 2010, Massey competed on Dancing with the Stars, and ended up coming in second place.
Moises Arias
Appearing as Rico, the feisty and mischievous kid on Hannah Montana, Arias made a big name for himself in the realm of acting. He went on to play various other Disney Channel roles, as well as roles in Pitch Perfect 3, Despicable Me, and Despicable Me 2.
And mostly recently he played the role of Poe in the hit movie 5 Feet Apart. He also will appear in the upcoming Judd Apatow film starring Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island.
Tiffany Thornton
Since her run as Tawni Hart on Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance and So Random!, Tiffany Thornton has stepped out of the spotlight in a major way. She now lives with her husband and 3 kids in Arkansas. Tiffany works as a high school cheerleading coach, as well as a worship leader at her church. Although she is no longer in the acting scene, Tiffany did just recently reunite with her Sonny with a Chance and So Random! castmates on a zoom call to discuss their favorite memories from the show.
Emily Osment
Emily Osment shot to stardom following her role as Lily Truscott, the best friend of Miley Stewart on Hannah Montana. Since then, Osment has appeared in various movies including the 2011 ABC Family hit Cyberbully. Then in 2014 Osment landed the lead role in the freeform sitcom, Young & Hungry, directed by Ashley Tisdale which aired for 5 seasons. Osment’s latest role was on a FOX drama Almost Family, which was canceled only 5 months after airing in October 2019.
Madison Pettis
Madison Pettis is the little girl who made a name for herself after starring in The Game Plan with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, as well as Disney Channel’s Cory in the House with Kyle Massey. Since rising to fame in those two roles, Pettis has appeared on screen in other movies and TV shows such as Freestyle with Corbin Bleu, Disney XD’s Lab Rats, The Fosters with Jake T. Austin, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Stirling Knight
Since starring in the Disney hits Sonny with a Chance, So Random!, and Starstruck, Knight has continued his acting career in various TV shows and movies. He appeared in many episodes of ABC Family’s Melissa & Joey, as well as smaller films such as Danny Boy and Career Day.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Lizzie McGuire Cast Reunites for a Virtual Table Read
Ariana Grande Dances with BF Dalton Gomez in New Music Video with Justin Bieber
What You Need to Know About Mary Kate Olsen’s Husband, Olivier Sarkozy
Julia is an Entertainment Writer at Feeling the Vibe Magazine. She is currently a Journalism student at Temple University. She is always in the know about everything celebrity and pop-culture.