THESE Stars Prove That Disney Channel Transforms Actors Into Legit Singers
Is it just us, or does it seem like every time a star makes it big on Disney Channel they also launch a music career?
If you need proof that this question is totally valid, scroll below and take a peek at just nine of our fave multi-hyphenate Disney Stars who have skyrocketed their music careers after appearing on a Disney series.
Selena Gomez
Disney Channel show: Wizards of Waverly Place
Singing career highlights: Selena's singing career really took off when she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records in 2008 and formed her first-ever band Selena Gomez & the Scene. Together, the group released three studios albums (our fave being Kiss & Tell, of course!). In 2013, Selena released her solo debut album called Stars Dance, which, no surprise, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 in the United States. Her latest big music move was the release of her stellar new album Revival in late 2015. Her first three singles off that album—"Good for You," "Same Old Love" and "Hands to Myself"—each ruled the Top 40 chart in the U.S. Oh, Selena. What a star. ????
Demi Lovato
Disney Channel show: Camp Rock and Sonny With a Chance
Singing career highlights: Demi's music career took off fast and hard in 2008 when she released her debut album Don't Forget (betcha' remember the song on the album called "On the Line" featuring the Jonas Brothers!). Just one year later, she released her album Here We Go Again, which, along with her first album, was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. From there, things only went up for Demi's music career. Her emotional third album Unbroken, released in 2011, had two smash hits, "Skyscraper" and "Give Your Heart a Break." Her fourth album, self-titled "Demi," was released in 2010 and broke records with first-week sales of 110,000 copies. And, finally, her fifth album Confident (yes, she has five albums), was released in 2015 and reached no. 3 on the Billboard 200. If that isn't success, I don't know what is.
The Jonas Brothers:
Disney Channel show: Camp Rock and Jonas
Singing career highlights: The JoBro's are no more, but they definitely had a good run. As a band, they released four albums—It's About Time, Jonas Brothers, A little Bit Longer and Lines, Vines and Trying Times. After the band split, Joe and Nick went on to pursue their own music careers. Joe released his solo debut studio album in 2011 called Fastlife, and then eventually formed a new band called DNCE… you've probably heard of their hit single "Cake by the Ocean." Nick went solo, signed with Island Records and released his first self-titled album Nick Jonas in 2014. In 2016, Nick released his album Last Year Was Complicated. We're just a little obsessed.
Miley Cyrus
Disney Channel show: Hannah Montana
Singing career highlights: Oh, Miley Cyrus. What hasn't this girl accomplished? Miley's first debut album in 2007—Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus—happened to be a double album release that not only was a soundtrack for the Disney series, but a soundtrack introducing Miley Cyrus as a singer. Her sophomore album Breakout, released in 2008, was a major hit, featuring some of her classic songs like "7 Things" and "Fly on the Wall." In 2010, Miley really hit her stride and discovered her own voice with the release of her third album Can't Be Tamed, and in 2013 she released her album Bangerz. You might know a few of the songs off that album. Do the tracks "We Can't Stop" or "Wrecking Ball" ring a bell? This girl was meant to be a singer.
Ross Lynch
Disney Channel show: Austin & Ally
Singing career highlights: Ross Lynch is so much more than his character Austin Moon. IRL, you may know that Ross Lynch is one of the founding members of the family-filled pop punk band, R5. With R5, Ross has released two-full length albums—Louder and Sometime Last Night. The second album debuted at no. 1 on Billboard's Top Pop Albums chart. Quite the accomplishment.
Debby Ryan
Disney Channel show: Jessie
Singing career highlights: Believe it or not, Debby Ryan is quite the musician. In 2012, she actually started her own indie band, The Never Ending. In 2013, the band and Debby released their debut single "Mulholland Drive," and a few months later their debut EP One was released. Most recently, in 2015, the band premiered their single "Secondhand." And how can we not mention that in July of 2015, Debby and her band were an opening act on Fifth Harmony's Reflection Tour, nbd.
Laura Marano
Disney Channel show: Austin & Ally
Singing career highlights: Laura Marano is slowly but surely transforming into quite the little pop star. Just last year after Austin & Ally ended, Laura released her catchy debut single, "Boombox." The music video for the song received over six million views in just one week. Shortly after, she gave us the gift of her second single, "La La." We can't wait for the album.
Sabrina Carpenter
Disney Channel show: Girl Meets World
Singing career highlights: There's no denying that Sabrina Carpenter is the epitome of a Disney Channel star's dream. Not only is she a lead role on the coming-to-an-end show Girl Meets World, she's taking off in her music career. The young singer is signed to Hollywood Records and has recorded two amazing albums: Eyes Wide Open and Evolution. We can expect to see a lot more music from this one.
Dove Cameron
Disney Channel show: Liv and Maddie
Singing career highlights: What has made Dove Cameron's musical career so far is definitely her promotional singles and covers. Not only has she done a stellar cover of "Genie in a Bottle," but she's included in the soundtrack album for both Liv and Maddie and Descendants. In 2015, Dove took her music career to a new level with now-ex, Ryan McCartan, when they formed a band called The Girl and the Dreamcatcher. If you haven't heard their first single "Written in the Stars," do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
Zendaya
Disney Channel show: K.C. Undercover
Singing career highlights: Zendaya has quite a few major accomplishments under her belt as a recording artist. In total, the singer has one self-titled studio album released in 2013, four singles, eight promotional singles and fifteen music videos. Her latest catchy single, released early last year, is titled "Something New," featuring Chris Brown. Now all we need to know is when her sophomore album will come out!
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