Over the last few years, some of the biggest names in Disney have grown up to become huge Hollywood stars. However, childhood actors and actresses are all some of those stars ever were. Some child celebrities lived a normal life post-Disney while others continued establishing themselves in the industry.
Those stars have taken very different career paths. Every time one goes to watch these shows for nostalgic purposes, one cannot help but wonder, “Where are they now?”
Here are just a few Disney stars and what they have been up to since their time on the Disney Channel.
David Henrie
David Henrie played Justin Russo in “Wizards of Waverly Place,” a show about a family of wizards and their many attempts to conceal their family’s secret. Since his time on the show, he has begun producing movies, but his TV appearances have been few and far between.
Henrie also started a family after his time on the show. In 2017, he married his girlfriend of three years, Maria Cahill. Since their marriage, the pair have had three children: Pia, James and Gemma.
According to Deadline, Henrie is currently working with “Wizards of Waverly Place” co-star Selena Gomez to create a reboot of the show. Gomez and Henrie are set to reprise their roles as Justin and Alex Russo for the reboot, although Gomez will serve as a guest star.
Hilary Duff
From 2001 to 2004, Hilary Duff starred in “Lizzie McGuire.” The show was a hit among many pre-teen girls at the time because Duff portrayed a middle schooler, giving children someone relatable who was around their age.
After the show had ended, Duff had a few more appearances in more lighthearted movies such as “A Cinderella Story” (2004). and “Cheaper by the Dozen” (2003). She then moved on to some teenage and adult TV shows and movies such as “Gossip Girl” and “Beauty & the Briefcase” (2010).
Today, Duff pretty much stays out of the public eye, but she frequently posts on Instagram. Duff has been married to Matthew Koma since 2019, but she was previously married to Mike Comrie. She also has three children with a fourth on the way.
Tia and Tamera Mowry
Tia and Tamera Mowry were famous twins who starred in many movies and shows together in the early 2000s. Some of their most notable projects include “Twitches” (2005), “Seventeen Again” (2000) and “Sister, Sister,” which came out in the late '90s.
After getting away from Disney shows, they made a few guest appearances before starring in their reality TV series “Tia & Tamera.” Since then, the two have done more individual projects; however, they still ask each other to collaborate.
Tia Mowry still acts, and she recently divorced her husband of 15 years, Cory Hardrict. Tamera Mowry is currently married to Adam Housley, and the two have been official since 2011. Together, they have two children.
Brenda Song
Brenda Song is most known for her roles in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” and its successful spin-off “The Suite Life on Deck.” Together, those shows ran for six years and audiences watched her and the rest of the cast grow up on the set.
Since the sequel show’s finale in 2011, her acting career has continued to be successful. She has taken up projects in both voice acting, such as in Disney’s “Amphibia” series, and on-screen acting. Recently, she has been in the media for something other than her performances.
Song is married to Macaulay Culkin, an actor known for his role as Kevin in the “Home Alone” franchise. Together, they have two sons, Dakota and Carson. In December 2023, Culkin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Song beside him. It was a sweet moment, and people fell in love with the two as a couple.
Overall, many of these child stars have taken different paths since their Disney days. Due to social media, audiences who grew up with them can still keep up.
