Written by: Sarah Beth Perry and Carlyn Warren
When Covid put the world on pause in 2020, society has been more nostalgic than ever. During these uncertain times, we turned to our comfort shows, books, and music to make us feel safe. For music lovers, we rewatched old music videos, and concert films, and danced around to the soundtracks of our childhood. This wave of nostalgia continued when the world returned to normalcy and our new love and appreciation for these things hasn’t stopped since! We’re taking another trip down memory lane this week and talking about our favorite early 2000s childhood stars and where they are now. ⏭️
Jonas Brothers
Formed in 2005, the Jonas Brothers were the epitome of teen pop-rock in the early 2000s. Comprising siblings Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas, they burst onto the music scene with their debut album It's About Time but really soared to fame with their 2007 self-titled album and Disney Channel fame. Tunes like "Burnin' Up" and "S.O.S." became anthems for a generation.
The brothers disbanded in 2013, leading to solo ventures and acting careers, but reunited in 2019, releasing a chart-topping album called Happiness Begins and embarking on their long-awaited reunion tour. The JoBros released the Happiness Continues: A Jonas Brothers Concert Film in 2020, sparking the inner tween fangirl in all of us. In 2021, the band hit the road again on the “Remember This Tour" and then landed a residency in Las Vegas that following year. Earlier this year, our favorite trio released their sixth studio album, The Album, earning them another top-ten album. Taking inspiration from Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” you can catch the brothers on the road this Fall on their “Five Albums. One Night. The World Tour” where they’re playing songs from The Album along with their four previous albums. Be sure to watch our vlog where we attended the opening nights of “The Tour” here! 🎸
Miley Cyrus
Remember Miley Stewart, the schoolgirl by day and pop sensation Hannah Montana by night? That was Miley Cyrus's breakout role on Disney Channel in 2006. The success of Hannah Montana skyrocketed her into teen stardom, leading to numerous albums and tours. Over the years, Miley has shed her Disney image, venturing into a variety of music genres, from pop to rock to country. Her 2020 album Plastic Hearts received critical acclaim and had us all obsessed with rock glam. This past March, Miley dropped Endless Summer Vacation following her number one hit, "Flowers."
She also made her return to Disney this year when she released Miley Cyrus - Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions), where she performed the album live, on Disney+. Miley continues to be a mainstay in pop culture, dabbling in acting and activism alongside her music career. Miley's newest single, "Used To Be Young" drops on August 25th and you can listen here. Check out our YouTube video on the evolution of Miley for an in-depth look at her incredible career! 🌴
Selena Gomez
Another Disney Channel alum, Selena Gomez gained fame as Alex Russo in the hit show Wizards of Waverly Place which debuted in 2007. This catapulted her into a successful music career, beginning with her band Selena Gomez & the Scene and later transitioning into a solo act. Known for hits like "Love You Like a Love Song" and "Come & Get It," Selena has not slowed down. She has branched out into executive producing, notably with the acclaimed series 13 Reasons Why, and has also been open about her struggles with mental health. In 2020, she released her third solo studio album, Rare which earned her third number-one album. The following year, Selena starred in and executive produced the Hulu series Only Murders In The Building which became the most-watched comedy premiere in Hulu history.
She didn’t stop there! The former Disney star also dropped her first Spanish EP titled Revelación in 2021 and gained several Grammy nominations for the project. As a mental health advocate, Selena opened up about her own struggles in her 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me and released her song “My Mind & Me” along with the film. This year, Selena has been just as busy with her makeup brand Rare Beauty, filming and producing various projects, and writing her fourth studio album. One thing we know for sure is that she continues to be a multi-faceted force in the entertainment industry and she’s not slowing down anytime soon. Be sure to give her newest track, “Single Soon” a listen when it drops on August 25th! 🥰
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato became a teen sensation following her role in the Disney Channel original movie Camp Rock where they starred alongside the Jonas Brothers. Known for hits like "Skyscraper" and "Confident," Demi's vocal prowess quickly set them apart. Over the years, Demi has become an advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, candidly discussing her own struggles and triumphs. Her 2021 album Dancing with the Devil... The Art of Starting Over delves deep into personal issues and has been praised for its emotional depth. The album serves as the “unofficial soundtrack” to her viral YouTube docu-series Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil where she opened up about her struggles with addiction, mental health, and music and personal journey.
In 2022, Demi released her eighth studio album, Holy F***, and embarked on the tour of the same name. This year, Demi has also followed the nostalgia trend and released a rock version of her 2017 hit “Sorry Not Sorry.” Following the release, Demi announced that she was dropping an entire album full of her reimagined hits called Revamped. You don’t want to miss out on these old songs in a new way on September 15th! 🤘
Zendaya
Starting off as a Disney Channel star with roles in Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover, Zendaya quickly showed that she was destined for more. With her stunning performance in the HBO series Euphoria, she became the youngest-ever winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2020. Earlier this year, Zendaya also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama for her role in Euphoria. Alongside acting, she's made strides in the fashion world as a model and designer, frequently using her platform to speak out on social issues like racial equality. Zendaya has also made her mark on the big screen, playing significant roles in blockbuster hits like Spider-Man: Homecoming and Dune.
While Zendaya is known for her acting skills, she has also made her mark as an incredible singer. While most of her projects revolve around her films and TV shows, especially on Disney, Zendaya has continued to deliver amazing vocal performances in projects like 2017’s The Greatest Showman and sang alongside artists Labrinth and Dominic Fike for the Euphoria Soundtrack. Zendaya not only performed for the show’s tracklist but also co-wrote a few of the songs as well as “Everything” from Labrinth’s 2023 album Ends & Begins. We can’t wait to hear Zendaya’s incredible voice in her next musical endeavor! 🤩
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter, best known for her role as Maya Hart in Disney Channel's Girl Meets World, quickly transitioned from child actor to a pop sensation. Her albums like Singular: Act I and Singular: Act II showcase her vocal talents and lyrical depth, resonating with fans across the globe. In addition to music, Sabrina has expanded her acting repertoire, starring in films such as The Hate U Give and Prime Video’s Emergency as well as venturing into theater with her 2020 Broadway debut in Mean Girls. However, Sabrina truly earned her title of popstar with her 2022 album Emails I Can’t Send and later that year set out on her world tour of the same name. The tour continued through this year and has been one of the most talked about tours of the year. You can see Sabrina opening for Taylor Swift on “The Eras Tour” on the South American, Australian, and Asian legs! 💌
From Disney Channel to the big screen and beyond, these early 2000s icons have not only stood the test of time but have also matured into multi-talented individuals. Their careers are a testament to the diverse paths one can take after early fame, and it's inspiring to see how they continue to grow and influence new generations. We’ve loved reminiscing about our favs and their amazing careers and can’t wait to see what they do next. Be sure to check out our YouTube for more content like this! 🌟
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