By Brianne Spinelli

Brianne Spinelli is an “Auntie by Relation” (ABR) to Julia, Alexis, and Lucas, as well as Godmother to Alexis. Connect with her on Twitter at @freetobebree or here on SavvyAuntie.com, member name: AuntBree.

Selena Gomez, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Britney Spears: what do all these young women have in common? They are among the elite group known as Disney Channel Stars, who have been hand-selected to represent the Mouse and act as role models for impressionable young girls in their tween and teen years. These ladies are not only beautiful, but also talented, well-spoken, and relatable. Their images are carefully crafted by Disney executives so that each girl can find herself or her best friend mirrored in each of these girls.

Yet, at some point, every little girl grows up. She’ll step outside her comfort zone to explore her world around her, push boundaries, and even get in a little trouble in the process. It’s all part of the growing-up process. However, for some reason, the general public tends to forget that this will inevitably happen for those Disney Channel Stars as well.   

Because of this, many young actors who’ve ended their contracts with Disney tend to take measures in an attempt to break away from the child-like shadow their Disney career has cast over them. They are growing up, and they want the world to know it. Selena Gomez, for example, who was well known for her role as Alex Russo on Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place, has recently released a new single called “Come and Get it,” a sexy song with a message a little too sultry for Disney’s clean, innocent appearance, plus a music video to match. She also starred in Spring Breakers, an R-rated flick that was chock full of alcohol, drugs, partying, sex, and violence.

Lindsay Lohan was another Disney starlet who took a hard left not only career-wise, but also life-wise. Aside from just choosing more adult acting roles, Lindsay absorbed herself in the party scene, bared it all for a spread in Playboy, and has been arrested numerous times for various incidents. Most recently, the former Herbie: Fully Loaded and The Parent Trap actress has been sentenced to court-ordered rehab.

Occupational Hazard

But why do these girls find it necessary to have to prove their blossoming womanhood to the world in the first place? Perhaps it is merely an occupational hazard. After all, they constantly find themselves splashed across every media outlet, followed by fans and paparazzi alike, and scrutinized in every aspect of their lives. When you live your life so out in the open, any deviation from previous standards becomes fair game for everyone to weigh in on your life. Furthermore, the seemingly “bad behavior” acts tend to keep these celebrities on the public’s radar. Could this simply be an attention-grabbing publicity tactic to keep themselves relevant during a transitional time in both life and career?

On the other hand, it is the norm among youths, both the famous and regular kind, to rebel against authority. Considering that the Disney corporation has such strict appearance guidelines for cast members, from on-air talent to the behind-the-scenes groundskeepers, there are a lot of rules in place from which to rebel. Much like a fresh high school grad who is off to college and out from under his or her parents’ roof for the first time, a Disney star who is released from their contract and tasting the freedom of everything the world has to offer can become a bit intoxicated by it.

The lives of these stars can open a dialogue between Aunties and nieces and nephews. Why do they think their idols have chosen to take these particular paths in life? Do they take issue with the ways their heroes have changed? Maybe they take the new behaviors and resulting consequences as cautionary tales that will help lead them away from making the same mistakes.

It is also important to note that not all of these child stars go down such rocky roads. Former Disney Channel Stars like Raven-Symoné, Hilary Duff, and Christy Carlson Romano, to name a few, have focused on leading their lives in positive directions as they grew up in their post-Disney world. Raven-Symoné went on to star in Sister Act on Broadway. Christy Carlson Romano also went on to star on Broadway, including a stint as Belle in Beauty and The Beast, as well as wrote a novel and directed a music video. Hilary Duff got married and is now a doting mom.

As for the newest crop of Disney Channel Starlets, including Zendaya, Bella Thorne, Debby Ryan, and Bridgit Mendler, the way they will choose to represent their personal images and influence our young nieces and nephews is yet to be seen.

Photo: Courtesy of Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com
Published: May 21, 2013