'Hannah Montana,' 'True Jackson, VP,' 'High School Musical' and 'Wizards of Waverly Place.' Everett Collection (4) Before they were winning awards, selling out stadiums, leading blockbuster films and TV shows or even working outside of entertainment entirely, celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Zendaya, Hilary Duff, Zac Efron, Keke Palmer, Ariana Grande, Kenan Thompson and Selena Gomez, among many others, actually had one thing in common: They all found child stardom on Disney Channel or Nickelodeon.
The kids’ networks are widely known for launching the careers of now-global actors and singers, as well as giving young talent helpful training for the entertainment industry. Some have gone on to build massive careers, such as Cyrus, a multi-Grammy winner, who is now celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana, the Disney series that launched her career, with a new special.
Below, The Hollywood Reporter is highlighting some of the biggest Disney and Nickelodeon child stars and where they are now.
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Selena Gomez
Image Credit: Everett Collection; Monica Schipper/Getty Images Selena Gomez broke out on Disney Channel, playing Alex Russo on the TV series Wizards of Waverly Place, which ran from 2007 to 2012. Her sarcastic, teenage witch captured younger audiences, making her a mainstay at the network for years, as she made cameos on other Disney shows and starred in 2009’s Princess Protection Program with Demi Lovato.
After her time at Disney, Gomez continued acting as well as pursuing a music career. She’s released seven studio albums to date and earned three Grammy nominations. On the acting side, her most recent acting roles include the Emmy-winning TV series Only Murders in the Building and the Oscar-winning film Emilia Pérez.
She’s also married to Benny Blanco.
