


And especially as Disney expands its network across cable, film, and streaming, they’re able to propel themselves from project to project. They’re breaking records set by the Beatles. Instead of there being just a few kids making it after Disney, former child stars are now ubiquitous in pop culture. Following the legacy of Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera, new kids on the block like Ariana Grande, Zendaya, and Sabrina Carpenter occupy headlines and timelines. Some teens take a step back after working throughout their childhood, while others continue on to become some of the world’s biggest pop stars. Over the past two decades, Disney and Nickelodeon have rocket-launched young talents to superstardom with TV shows, movies, and record deals. In a sea of talent, who’s going to make it all the way to Britney-like icon status?
