Good Kids Gone Bad
Disney Channel stars, usually seen as positive influences for kids, have faced scandals. Former Disney actors have made headlines for various negative issues, showing the challenges of childhood fame. Here are a few notable names who have learned about the dark side of fame the hard way.
Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne, known from Disney's Shake It Up, has evolved into a controversial figure since her departure from the show. Her many controversies often go viral online—but one particular scandal seems to stand out from the rest.
Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bella Thorne
Bella caused an outrage when she announced she would be joining OnlyFans, a controversial platform.
Not only were her fans disappointed in her—she also upset many subscribers who said she made false promises. Still, Bella managed to earn $1 million in the first 24 hours.
Mingle Media TV, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
David Henrie
David Henrie rose to fame on Disney Channel as Justin Russo in "Wizards of Waverly Place" from 2007 to 2012. His portrayal, alongside Selena Gomez and Jake T.
Austin, garnered him widespread recognition—but his good boy image was tarnished after one fateful incident.
David Henrie
David made headlines in 2018 when he was arrested at LAX for having a weapon in his luggage during a routine security check. Henrie was found with a loaded M&P Shield 9-mm pistol and was arrested on the spot, but granted bail the same day.
ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images
Debby Ryan
Debby Ryan made a splash on the Disney Channel as Bailey Pickett in The Suite Life On Deck from 2008 to 2011. Her portrayal as the girl-next-door on a cruise ship, alongside Dylan and Cole Sprouse, solidified her as a Disney star—but she wasn’t without her share of scandals.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images
Debby Ryan
Perhaps her biggest scandal occurred in 2016 when she was arrested in Los Angeles for driving under the influence after crashing her car.
Debby publicly apologized, then vowed to use her platform to spread awareness about the risks of driving under the influence.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato is known for her portrayal of Mitchie Torres in Disney's Camp Rock movies, which showcased her powerhouse singing. Despite a successful career as a child actor, she faced many personal struggles—many of which were often on clear display in the public eye.
Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Demi Lovato
In July 2018, Demi was hospitalized for going overboard with substance use at her Hollywood Hills residence.
Upon being found, she was immediately given emergency medications and admitted into a rehabilitation center. Thankfully, her condition stabilized, and she thanked supporters and medical professionals for saving her life.
Dylan Sprouse
Dylan Sprouse and his twin brother Cole gained fame on the Disney Channel for their roles in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck. His portrayal of Zack Martin gained him many fans and a squeaky clean reputation—but one incident threatened all of that.
Dylan Sprouse
In 2013, Dylan Sprouse faced a scandal when his private images were leaked online without his consent.
Though it was a traumatic experience for him, he addressed the privacy violation with humor, and his fans admired his maturity in managing the situation.
Condé Nast (Vogue Taiwan), CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff became a star from her role as Lizzie McGuire on the Disney Channel. She instantly became Disney’s “it girl” with her acting, music, and fashion career heating up in the early 2000s—but even she was not immune to controversy.
Hilary Duff
In February 2007, Hilary was the target of a photo leak online.
She quickly denied their legitimacy stating they were altered, and her team even contacted the FBI to investigate. Despite the scandal, she remained dedicated to her career and her fans.
Wikimedia Commons, Katie Krause
Jamie Lynn Spears
Jamie Lynn Spears became well-known on the Disney Channel for playing the character Zoey Brooks in the teenage sitcom Zoey 101. The show was a hit and Jamie’s career was on the rise—until she made a huge announcement that put a stop to everything.
Jamie Lynn Spears
Jamie Lynn Spears caused a stir in 2007 by announcing her pregnancy at 16, drawing much media and public scrutiny due to her status as a role model.
She temporarily left acting to focus on motherhood, then later tried to make a comeback that did not take off.
Jake Paul
Jake Paul first stepped onto the scene playing Dirk Mann on Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark from 2016 to 2018. He later catapulted to fame on the social media app Vine where he became a popular influencer—and since then, he’s become one of entertainment’s most polarizing figures.
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jake Paul
Jake faced criticism in July 2017 when he was investigated for disruptive behavior in his Los Angeles neighborhood.
Reports showed raucous parties and risky pranks, causing concerns over safety and local laws. Despite Jake's justifications, the media and public disapproved.
Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers gained popularity on the Disney Channel with their roles in Camp Rock and their show Jonas. With catchy music and a youthful appeal, the trio became teen heartthrobs in the late 2000s—but their success did not come without struggle.
Everett Collection, Shutterstock
Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers' purity rings became a scandal when comedian Russell Brand mocked them at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Their claim to stay celibate until marriage sparked intense media scrutiny and public discussion, causing the brothers stress and eventually leading them to stop wearing them.
Kyle Massey
Kyle Massey became well-known on Disney Channel as Cory Baxter in That’s So Raven from 2003 to 2007. He continued his role in the spin-off Cory in the House from 2007 to 2008, and it seems like his career was on the rise—and then it all came crumbling down.
Kyle Massey
Kyle’s most controversial moment was when he faced allegations of engaging in improper communication with a young girl through Snapchat from 2018 to 2019. He denied the accusations, claiming they were part of an extortion plot.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is one of the most famous celebrities to come out of the Disney Channel era. She played Miley Stewart on Disney's Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2011 and won over the hearts of many fans across the world—but being a public figure came with its fair share of scandals.
Wikimedia Commons, Angela George
Miley Cyrus
Arguably her most memorable controversy was when she shocked audiences at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards.
Miley’s performance of "Party in the USA”, which some people claimed to include pole dancing, was criticized for being too risqué for her young fans. This event marked her transition from a Disney Channel star to a more mature public persona.
Mitchel Musso
Mitchel Musso is most known for his role as Oliver Oken in "Hannah Montana". His portrayal of Miley's best friend made him a fan-favorite sidekick—but like many other child stars, he quickly found himself in a troublesome situation that brought forth intense scrutiny from the public and media.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Radio Disney
Mitchel Musso
In 2011, Mitchell, who was only 20 at the time, was arrested for DUI in Burbank, California after failing sobriety tests.
He pled no contest and received probation, fines, and community service for the misdemeanor charge.
Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for RiverRock Films
Orlando Brown
Orlando Brown gained popularity on the Disney Channel as Eddie Thomas in That’s So Raven from 2003 to 2007. His portrayal of Eddie made him a standout among his contemporaries—but he fell into many dark moments that overshadowed his talent.
Orlando Brown
Orlando's erratic behavior and legal troubles, including arrests for aggression, substance possession, and burglary in 2018, brought attention to his turbulent personal life.
His actions ignited discussions about the challenges faced by former child stars in the entertainment industry.
Maury Phillips/WireImage via Getty Images
Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné was well on her way to becoming one of the world’s biggest stars. Playing Raven Baxter in That's So Raven from 2003 to 2007, she proved she had what it took to become a big name in comedy. Unfortunately, her shining career was not without a few dull (and we don't mean boring) moments.
Raven-Symoné
Raven faced backlash for controversial comments in 2014 on Oprah: Where Are They Now? about her racial identity, preferring to be called "American" over African American. She also dismissed labels based on her orientation, sparking debates on race and LGBTQ+ issues.
MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is one of the most followed people in the world on social media.
She first came onto the scene as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place from 2007 to 2012 and instantly became a crowd favorite—but as she grew older, she became the target of many harsh rumors and tabloids.
Selena Gomez
In September 2017, Selena revealed on social media that she underwent a kidney transplant due to complications from lupus.
Her friend Francia Raisa donated the kidney, revealing their close friendship. Then, in November 2022, Selena told Rolling Stone she wasn't close to many people in Hollywood, calling Taylor Swift her only friend.
Francia seemed to react, unfollowing Selena on Instagram. Selena later made a spicy “apology” on TikTok, saying: "Sorry I didn’t mention every person I know".
Skai Jackson
Skai Jackson became famous through the Disney Channel playing Zuri Ross in Jessie and Bunk'd. Her portrayal of the clever Zuri, alongside Cameron Boyce, showcased her talent and made her a recognizable figure.
However, her actions on social media sometimes stirs a controversy.
Skai Jackson
Skai faced controversy in 2020 over a feud with rapper Bhad Bhabie. The conflict began online with accusations of cultural appropriation, leading to public insults and threats. The media focused on cyberbullying and social media's impact on young stars, but Jackson remained against online bullying.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for IMDb
Shia Labeouf
Shia LaBeouf was a rising star in the 2000s, playing Louis Stevens on the Disney Channel show Even Stevens. His comedic talent was undeniable, and he seemed destined for great things—but life in the public eye caught up to him, and he quickly became a controversial figure.
Brookwell McNamara, Even Stevens (2000-2003)
Shia Labeouf
Shia has had a rocky career throughout the years, but perhaps his biggest scandal was in 2020 when FKA Twigs sued him inflicting physical and emotional distress.
After FKA Twigs alleged that LaBeouf mistreated her, more women came forward with similar accusations.
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens started her career on the Disney Channel as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical in 2006, showcasing her singing and acting skills. The success of the franchise made her a star with young audiences—but various scandals dimmed her light throughout the years.
High School Musical (2006), Disney Channel
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens faced backlash in 2007 for leaked private photos.
Intended for her ex, the photos were stolen and shared online, sparking media attention. Vanessa and Disney Channel issued apologies, and she would eventually make a career recovery from the incident.
JJ Duncan, CC-BY-SA-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Zac Efron
Zac Efron is best known for his portrayal of Troy Bolton in High School Musical, which came out in 2006. His notable talent and movie star good looks quickly pushed him to the A-list—but the journey to the top wasn’t always smooth-sailing.
Zac Efron
In 2014, Zac Efron faced a major scandal involving substance abuse, leading him to seek help in a rehab facility.
The incident shed light on the struggles of celebrities balancing fame and personal challenges.
Zendaya
Zendaya is one of the world’s biggest stars today. She gained fame on the Disney Channel playing Rocky Blue in Shake It Up from 2010 to 2013, which showcased her wide range of talents. Unfortunately, even Zendaya’s booming career is not safe from controversial moments.
Zendaya
Controversy arose in 2015 when Zendaya was cast as MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Though many critics praised her performance, many people shared hateful comments about the actress on social media, targeting her for her race.
Zendaya responded with class and emphasized the importance of diverse representation in entertainment.
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