This is how much your fave Disney Channel stars have changed since the '00s

26 March 2020, 11:35

Disney+ is here and so are all of our favourite nostalgic Disney Channel shows.
Disney+ is here and so are all of our favourite nostalgic Disney Channel shows. Picture: Lester Cohen/Jesse Grant via Getty
Sophie Thompson

By Sophie Thompson

Everyone who watched Disney Channel in the 00s will remember iconic characters such as Hannah Montana, London Tipton and of course, Lizzie McGuire. But where are they now? We take a look back at what our favourite actors look like now...

If you were a 00s kid with a love of all things Disney Channel, you'll remember the likes of The Suite Life, Wizards of Waverly Place and Hannah Montana - but whatever happened to the actors in them?

Of course we know Miley Cyrus and The Jonas Brothers turned their stints into fame of epic proportions, but with Disney+ now firmly on our screens 24/7 while we rewatch old episodes of Sonny with a Chance (ok, the entire thing), we too are wondering where the hell Sterling Knight is these days too.

READ MORE: 10 Disney Channel shows we can't wait to rewatch on Disney+

Strap in though, because there's been some serious glow-ups along the way...

Tiffany Thornton

Tiffany Thornton was known for playing Tawni Hart in Sonny with a Chance.
Tiffany Thornton was known for playing Tawni Hart in Sonny with a Chance. . Picture: Randy Holmes via Getty Images/Tiffany Thornton via Instagram

Tiffany Thornton, AKA diva Tawni Hart in Sonny with a Chance is now 34 years old, and has turned her career towards being a mum. She hasn't acted since around 2012 but regularly posts on her Instagram to keep fans up to date and enjoys being a motivational speaker. She doesn't look too different either...

Jason Earles

Jason Earles was known for his role as Jackson Stewart in Hannah Montana.
Jason Earles was known for his role as Jackson Stewart in Hannah Montana. Picture: Jesse Grant/Wireimage/Jason Earles via Instagram

Jason Earles played Jackson Stewart, or Miley's annoying brother in Hannah Montana, and has had a wealth of acting jobs since he left the show, including movie Battledrone and fellow Disney show, Kickin' It. Now age 42, he's living a more low-key life and teaches acting classes - practically unrecognisable.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez started out on Disney Channel as Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place.
Selena Gomez started out on Disney Channel as Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place. Picture: Lester Cohen/Wireimage/Selena Gomez via Instagram

Actress-turned-popstar Selena Gomez got her start on Wizards of Waverly Place and has continued acting on the side of her music career, starring in films such as Dolittle, The Dead Don't Die and (the highly controversial Woody Allen film) A Rainy Day in New York, as well as Disney originals.

She's super candid about body image and dealing with health problems, and has quickly become a style icon for anyone under 30 with the launch of her first makeup brand, Rare Beauty. She's already said she would jump at the chance of a reboot of Wizards, so watch this space...

Orlando Brown

Orlando Brown was known for his role as Eddie Thomas on That's So Raven.
Orlando Brown was known for his role as Eddie Thomas on That's So Raven. Picture: Frederick M. Brown via Getty/Dr Phil/OWN

Since leaving his role as Eddie Brown on That's So Raven, Orlando Brown hasn't undertaken any known acting jobs. Unfortunately, he's publicly struggled with addiction and homelessness, and shocked fans when he appeared on Dr Phil in 2018 to discuss what he was facing.

Mitchel Musso

Mitchel Musso was known for playing Oliver in Hannah Montana.
Mitchel Musso was known for playing Oliver in Hannah Montana. Picture: Jesse Grant/Wireimage/Mitchel Musso via Instagram

Mitchel Musso carried on acting in children's TV after leaving as Oliver in Hannah Montana but a DUI arrest in 2011 cost him his role on Disney. He's not very active on social media anymore, but at 28, he certainly still scrubs up well for his followers.

Sterling Knight

Sterling Knight was known for playing Chad in Sonny with a Chance.
Sterling Knight was known for playing Chad in Sonny with a Chance. . Picture: Jason Merritt via Getty Images/Sterling Knight via Instagram

Sterling Knight played heart throb Chad in Sonny with a Chance and has since been in 17 Again with Zac Efron, and Disney's original movie, Starstruck. He now does acting in plays and makes Cameo videos for his fans.

David Henrie

David Henrie played older brother Justin Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place.
David Henrie played older brother Justin Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place. Picture: John Kopaloff via Getty/David Henrie via Instagram

David Henrie was arguably the crush of every teenage girl in 2009 and it's good news - because he hasn't changed at all. He's still acting in comedies, but when he's not, he's at home with his baby daughter. Aww.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus made her fame by playing Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana, in the show Hannah Montana.
Miley Cyrus made her fame by playing Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana, in the show Hannah Montana. Picture: Jesse Grant/Wireimage/Miley Cyrus via Instagram

Miley Cyrus got her start alongside dad Billy Ray Cyrus and younger sister Noah Cyrus in Hannah Montana, and of course now, she's everywhere. A multi-millionaire pop star and actress, Miley took that blonde wig and ran with it. Pretty good glow up none-the-less though, right?

Jake T. Austin

Jake T. Austin was known for playing Max Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place.
Jake T. Austin was known for playing Max Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place. Picture: Frazer Harrison via Getty/Jake T Austin via Instagram

Jake T. Austin has had the ultimate glow up. From little brother in Wizards of Waverly place to actor in The Fosters and part-time IG hottie (sorry not sorry) - although Jake isn't working on any major blockbusters right now, he's worth a follow if you ask us...

Steven Anthony Lawrence

Steven Anthony Lawrence was known for the role of Beans in Even Stevens.
Steven Anthony Lawrence was known for the role of Beans in Even Stevens. . Picture: Amanda Edwards via Getty Images/Steve Anthony Lawrence via Instagram

Beans from Even Stevens went viral when everyone on the internet realised what he looked like now, and it's a far cry from the goofy kid we see on the show. Actor, Steven Anthony Lawrence, admittedly went through a looking-like-a-dad-way-too-early phase, but we have to say, he looks pretty damn cool now.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato made her fame by playing Sonny in Sonny with a Chance.
Demi Lovato made her fame by playing Sonny in Sonny with a Chance. Picture: ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images/Demi Lovato via Instagram

We're all familiar with Demi Lovato. Since appearing on Sonny with a Chance where she made her name, Demi has become an award-winning pop icon. She's also been super vocal about mental health and body image to give her fans something to aspire to, and that's why we love her.

Emily Osment

Emily Osment was known for playing Lily in Hannah Montana.
Emily Osment was known for playing Lily in Hannah Montana. Picture: Jesse Grant/Wire Image/Emily Osment via Instagram

Emily Osment doesn't look too different from her Hannah Montana days, but now goes under the alias Bluebiird, which she uses to release her music. She's still regularly acting and remains unproblematic queen of the century.

Who surprised you the most?