13 Disney Kids That Grew Up and Became Drop Dead Gorgeous Women
If you grew up in the late '90s or early 2000s, you likely remember how popular Disney Channel [...]
If you grew up in the late '90s or early 2000s, you likely remember how popular Disney Channel movies and TV shows were at the time. Starring in many of these shows are a number of actors that have gone on to become some of the most attractive celebrities in Hollywood.
Many of the stars on the list are still hugely successful today. While they may not have become a household name by appearing on Disney, it was a launching pad for their careers.
Check out the list of 13 Disney stars that grew up to become drop-dead gorgeous below.
Chloe Grace Moretz – Darby From My Friends Tigger & Pooh
Chloe Grace Moretz got her start in acting with a role in two episodes of CBS' The Guardian, but it was her big screen appearances that made a lasting impression that landed her a role on a Disney show. The 20-year-old actress had roles alongside Ryan Reynolds in the 2005 remake of The Amityville Horror as well as being cast in Heart of The Beholder.
These roles helped her earn a spot on the Disney animated series My Friends Tigger & Pooh as Darby.
As Moretz grew older she continued to wow audiences with films such as Kick-Ass, a Matthew Vaughn movie in which she portrays a hit-girl. Currently, Moretz has acting, producing and modeling credits to her name.
Selena Gomez – Alex Russo from Wizards of Waverly Place
Selena Gomez got into acting at quite a young age with her first roles coming in Spy Kids 3: Game Over and making small guest appearances on series such as Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
These appearances led to Disney giving the now 25-year-old actress her own show, Wizards of Waverly Place. Even though she had her own gig, she continued to make appearances on other Disney channel shows as well.
Beyond acting, Gomez has gone on to become a pop music superstar. She has managed to find massive success with songs such as "It Ain't Me," "Hands to Myself" and "Same Old Love."
Currently, when Gomez isn't writing and performing hit songs, she has become a producer for popular shows like Netflix's 13 Reasons Why. She also is a model, having been featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and a number of other magazines.
Demi Lovato – Sonny With A Chance
Demi Lovato's career has taken a quite similar route to her former real-life BFF, Selena Gomez. The two are both megastars in the pop music world and both got their starts on the small screen.
As for Lovato, 24, she got her first on-screen gig on Barney & Friends. She then went on to star in a handful of Disney Channel original movies before signing a record deal with Hollywood Records.
During her time on the Disney Channel, Lovato appeared as Sonny from the network's Sonny With A Chance. She portrayed an eccentric but sweet actress who also landed her own TV show.
Lovato's most recent work has been in music. She has been sitting atop the charts quite frequently with smash hit tunes like "Confident," "Skyscraper" and "Cool For The Summer."
Zendaya – Rocky Blue from Shake It Up
Zendaya – Rocky Blue from Shake It Up
Zendaya Coleman, who is known professionally by her first name only, is one of the most obvious examples of Disney stars that grew up to become drop-dead gorgeous.
She started her career as Rocky Blue on Shake It Up, and like many other Disney stars, she explored the world of singing as well. Zendaya also has done her fair share of modeling as she has been featured in advertisements for many iCarly toy ads and popular Kidz Bop accessories.
Most recently, Zendaya starred as Michelle in Marvel's Spider-Man: Homecoming. The now 20-year-old actress has been launched into stardom with the role and it seems as if her career is only getting started.
Vanessa Hudgens – Gabriella Montez from High School Musical
Vanessa Hudgens got her start alongside Zac Efron in Disney's High School Musical. The 28-year-old has gone on to become not only a popular screen star, but also an accomplished stage actress having appeared in plays such as Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, and The King and I.
Hudgens also pursued music, but she hasn't found the same level of success as Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. However, she has appeared in films such as Spring Breakers, which also featured Gomez.
The two, alongside Ashley Benson, can be seen showing off their bikini bodies running around Daytona Beach. Where Hudgens hasn't measured up to Gomez and Lovato in music, she certainly has in the looks department. Hudgens' stunning looks have helped her amass a following on Instagram of more than 26.2 million fans.
Anneliese Van Der Pol – Chelsea Daniels from That's So Raven
Anneliese Van Der Pol was born in the Netherlands and has a unique background compared to most of the Disney stars on the list. She started her career in Theater and won a Bobbi Award in 1999 for Best Actress in a Musical.
After winning the award, the 32-year-old went on to receive positive reviews from the LA Times for her portrayal of Eva Peron in a production of Evita. The success of the show lead her to a working relationship with the Disney channel.
She appeared on That's So Raven as Chelsea Daniels and has even signed on to appear on the spin-off called Raven's Home.
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Bridgit Mendler – Teddy Duncan from Good Luck Charlie
Bridgit Mendler is not only an accomplished actress, but also a singer, humanitarian, and has a degree in anthropology. She started her career in an animated Indian film titled, The Legend of Buddha, and eventually found her way to working with Disney.
Her first big gig was starring as Teddy Duncan from Good Luck Charlie. In 2013, Mendler was chosen as one of Forbes hottest young women of the year.
Currently, Mendler continues her humanitarian work with her next acting role being in a Netflix flick Who Do You Think Would Win?
Mandy Moore – Lana from The Princess Diaries
Mandy Moore rose to fame with her debut single, "Candy," and has gone on to remain as a fixture in the media spotlight. She toured with *NSync and the Backstreet Boys in the late '90s, which opened the doorway for her to release several albums that have gone both Gold and Platinum.
In addition to her music career, Moore became even more popular after appearing in a supporting role in Disney's The Princess Diaries. She took the role before starring in the Nicholas Sparks film adaptation of A Walk To Remember.
With the success of these two films, the 33-year-old star has continued with acting and strayed away from music in recent years. Most recently, she has appeared on NBC's This Is Us, portraying a struggling young mother. Her work landed her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Brenda Song – London from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
Brenda Song – London from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
Brenda Song started her career as a fashion model. She then moved into getting small TV appearances during the late '90s. Her career took a huge leap when she landed a contract with Disney.
The 29-year-old actress was featured in shows like Stuck In The Suburbs and then went on to be the lead female in both The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life On Deck.
After playing the character, London, Song then moved on to appear in movies like The Social Network as well as shows such as Fox's New Girl, and ABC's Scandal.
In addition to being a gorgeous actress, Song has been labeled by Time magazine as one of three Disney starlets who never fell victim to the party lifestyle. In 2006, she was named the "Queen of Disney" by Cosmogirl Magazine.
Keke Palmer – Mary from Jump In!
Keke Palmer's acting career began with a supporting role playing Queen Latifah's niece in Barbershop 2: Back in Business. After finding success with the gig, she then moved out to California to pursue acting more seriously.
She landed a contract with Atlantic Records and Disney but had a rough start. The first few acting jobs she landed were eventually canceled. Despite the setbacks, Palmer soldiered on and scored a massive role in Disney Channel Original Movie, Jump In!
Palmer then appeared in a handful of other TV and film roles before releasing her debut album So Uncool. Her other work includes starring as True Jackson in Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP and hosting a daytime talk show, Just Keke, on BET.
Keri Russell – Mouseketeer from The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
Like several other celebrities on the list, Keri Russell got her start on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. Since her time on Disney she has gone on to become one of the most accomplished actresses in Hollywood.
Russell has won a number of awards varying from Golden Globes, Teen Choice Awards, and Satellite Awards.
She not only has had a successful acting career but also extended her skills into modeling and dance. Most recently, she has been featured in the critically acclaimed FX series, The Americans.
Russell, 41, also starred in blockbuster flick Dawn of The Planet of The Apes as well as the Matthew McConaughey drama, Free State of Jones.
Aly Michalka – Keely from Phil of the Future
While Aly Michalka may not be a household name like many of the other celebrities on this list, she has undeniably turned out to be a great example of a Disney stars that have grown up to be totally stunning.
Her acting career got started with a supporting role on Phil of the Future as Keely. After appearing in several seasons of the show, Michalka went on to pursue original movies, some of which she starred alongside her younger sister AJ.
In 2004, the Michalka sisters formed the music duo Aly and AJ. Over the years, Michalka has racked up awards for singing and acting. She has won American Music Awards, Teen Choices Awards, and Young Artists Awards. Currently, Michalka is co-starring on The CW's iZombie.
Jennifer Love Hewitt – Robin from Kids Incorporated
One of the most iconic Disney stars on the list is Jennifer Love Hewitt. In her wildly successful career, Hewitt has gone on to sing, model, act, and direct.
Not only is the 38-year-old actress experienced more success than most in Hollywood, but she also continues to be one of the most beautiful. After getting her start as Robin on Kids Incorporated, Hewitt went on to maintain a good relationship with Disney. She provided voice-over work for animated films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame II, The Adventures of Tom Thumb, and Thumbelina.
Hewitt found a new level of popularity after headlining the teen horror franchise I Know What You Did Last Summer. Since her days as a scream queen, she has gone on to have quite a solid career. However, she will go down as one of the most gorgeous women of all time to get their start on the Disney channel.
