Today’s new generation of stars has given the world more diversity, inclusion, and personal interactions with fans. The Millennial and Gen Z cohorts have succeeded in becoming more than just actors or singers – sometimes humanitarians or philanthropists when they aren’t entertaining. Disney Channel is a platform for adolescents and teens to star in television, showing off their skills to the world – creating an environment for several to go beyond the hallways of Disney and enter a world of stardom.
Disney, already a conglomerate for producing children’s fantasies in animation, reached a newer audience with the Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950s.
Airing from October 3, 1955, to September 25, 1959, it featured “24 talented kids, known as Mouseketeers, who performed skits, musical numbers, and introduced special guest stars, serials, and Disney cartoons.” (D23.com) After a few decades, the format changed to appeal to contemporary kids and showcased 12 teens instead. In the 90s, the Mickey Mouse Club hosted some stars you might recognize today -Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, etc. Audiences didn’t receive a behind-the-scenes scoop of what those teens would go through to receive a spot on the popular children’s program. Christina Aguilera raved about being a part of the clubhouse at a D23 expo in 2019. “When I first felt I was at home – being around other kids that truly enjoyed the same thing I did,” the pop singer told Extra.
Disney created a world for adolescents to develop their artistry and feel like they belonged by sharing the same mindset with peers. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse program transitioned teens into a run of show creations in the 90s, featuring child stars with sitcoms revolving around them.
A Renaissance movement made children the next big thing to watch out for. Igniting a resurgence in film and television where the 80s American shows featured sitcoms about families and adults, the 90s-2000s featured children/teen’s everyday school-home life. Fans younger than 18 became enamored with relatable stories and main characters.
Many wonder and hope to become Disney Channel famous, but it goes beyond just having the ability to sing or act. Some producers looked for a triple threat to make a show the next hit. A triple threat needed to sing, dance, and act to audition for a lead role in a sitcom. Auditions were in LA, and when actors were underage, their parents or guardians were always present; for many- parents quit full-time jobs to become managers. After rejection, which comes as it may, the next action would be to invest in a child’s talent. Paying for costly lessons came with the territory to make a child the next big thing.
After all their hard work, an agent gives a child actor the green light. Now they have their show. What’s next? An image of perfection. What most stars go through is media training. To sell the show’s image and answer questions from the press helps or hinders the actor. Few stars have spoken out about their experiences regarding Disney’s special training.
Jenna Ortega told Buzzfeed that “she was required to attend media training, aka Disney 101. It included posting three times a day on Instagram or other social media platforms.”
Child Star, a documentary produced by former child/ pop star Demi Lovato, discusses the highs and lows of childhood stardom. Spotlighting an array of top Disney and Nickelodeon (Disney’s competitor) child stars like Raven – Symoné and Kenan Thompson and child stars from hit movies like Drew Barrymore and Christina Ricci. Lovato mimics Actors on Actors and shares with Kenan Thompson (SNL comedian) the insecurities she felt at her peak.
” If I see an empty seat, I’ll be like, ugh, I’m not good enough,” Lovato reveals about past concerts in her Disney days.
Children feeling so much rejection at a certain age can take hold. The idea of perfection is a lot for anyone, and it tends to manifest in other ways. Lovato knew she wanted to become a star and sought after it, but exhaustion with touring, rehearsals, and a show brought her unhealthy coping mechanisms that put her in danger. Developing an eating disorder and binge drinking became normal as she was a top performer at Disney.

Others like Christina Ricci share similar habits with Lovato, but it started off the opposite in her journey. Coming from an environment with an abusive, failed ex-cult leader, being on set provided “a refuge of emotional safety,” she explains to Lovato. Ricci felt empowered by strong women supporting her, such as her co-star Cher. Some adults provided a parental figure on set.
Disney Channel created waves of success for the likes of Ashley Tisdale, Cole and Dylan Sprouse, Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Zendaya, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and many more. This recipe included making them well-rounded individuals. It wasn’t always about the triple act effect – caring about those in need and using their voices for more was also a focus. Showing commercials of all the stars from hit shows gathering to give or stand up for others’ rights attracted the loyal fanbase and made those stars seem relatable.
As of today, many of those stars have transitioned their careers into successful brands and platforms. Miley Cyrus went into music and film- earning her a Grammy. Lovato and Selena Gomez are on her heels with Grammy nominations and awards. Gomez was nominated for a Golden Globe recently. Making their way from childhood to adulthood seems easy and sometimes complicated. The majority have found their stride and ventured into different avenues of entertainment. Showing the world that child stars can pivot and become their hero/heroine despite the trauma endured.
The platform launched pop stars that are unforgettable to most. From a triple-threat formula to media training and humanitarian efforts, the Disney Channel Star Machine will be one to study for decades.
