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- Here's What Your 2000s Disney Channel Crushes Are Up to Now
Here's What Your 2000s Disney Channel Crushes Are Up to Now
Everett Collection / Hal Roach Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection
Love – and nostalgia – is in the air. As 2021 marks the anniversary of some of our favourite romance films, why not look back at the movie crushes that started it all? We’ve all found ourselves swooning after the troublemaker bad boy or friend-zoned pal in a Disney Channel Original Movie at one point. While not all of these Disney Channel leading men achieved Zac Efron-level stardom, they still are mighty fine! You may not know all their names, but you certainly will recognise their faces (remember that Teen Beach Movie poster you had?).
So, what exactly are your favourite primary school Disney Channel crushes doing now? Take a trip down memory lane and click through the gallery to find out what these handsome heartthrobs are up to today.
Getty / Stephen Lovekin
Kyle Schmid From The Cheetah Girls
While The Cheetah Girls are busy crushing a Manhattan talent show, Derek (Kyle Schmid) catches Galleria’s (Raven-Symoné) eye.
Everett Collection / Hal Roach Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection
Ryan Merriman From Luck of the Irish
When popular basketball player Kyle Johnson (Ryan Merriman) loses his lucky gold coin, he turns into a leprechaun . . . and learns about his family secret.
Corbis via Getty Images / Frank Trapper
Johnny Pacar From Now You See It
The supernatural Danny Sinclair (Johnny Pacar) hides his powers to masquerade as a high school magician – and woo the heart of Allyson Miller (Aly Michalka).
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Erik von Detten From Brink
Andy “Brink” Brinker (Erik von Detten) won us over as a high school inline skater hoping to support his family.
Getty / Angela Weiss
Tyler James Williams From Let It Shine
15 year-old rapper Cyrus DeBarge (Tyler James Williams) has to hide his lyrical talent from his strict father Pastor Jacob (Courtney B. Vance) in this musical comedy.
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Riley Smith From Motocrossed
Motocross rider Andrea Carson (Alana Austin) takes the place of her brother to compete . . . only to find sparks with fellow rider Dean (Riley Smith).
Getty / Mark Sullivan
Jason Dolley From Read It and Weep
It’s every teen girl’s worst nightmare! Jamie’s (Kay Panabaker) diary is stolen and becomes a bestseller, but audiences were sold on her best friend turned-love interest Connor (Jason Dolley).
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Corbin Bleu in Jump In!
We all know and love Corbin Bleu from High School Musical, but the talented star had his own leading romance in this 2007 competitive double-dutch film.
Getty / Lawrence Lucier
Gregory Smith From Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
Space alien Zenon (Kirsten Storms) lands on Earth only to fall once again for Greg (Gregory Smith).
Getty / David Livingston
Nicholas Braun From Princess Protection Program
This 2009 movie starring Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and Jamie Chung won a Teen Choice Award for its empowering female-forward story. Yet who can forget Nicholas Braun as Gomez’s friend Ed who pined for the secret princess?
Getty / Fred Hayes
Nicholas Braun Now
Nicholas Braun is all grown up! The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Sky High, and Succession star is facing a career high at the moment. Though he was linked to actress Cristin Milioti last year, Braun wrote a hilarious ballad about the woes of being single during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Ross Lynch From Teen Beach Movie
Surfing pals Brady (Ross Lynch) and McKenzie (Maia Mitchell) are transported to the 1960s, only to find themselves in a sandy version of West Side Story.
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Shawn Ashmore From Cadet Kelly
Who can forget the lovable Kelly Collins (Hilary Duff)? Her military school is made bearable by steamy Brad (Shawn Ashmore).
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Booboo Stewart in Descendants
The 2015 musical fantasy film reimagines what happens to classic Disney villians’ children once there’s a royal change of power. Jay (Booboo Stewart) is the son of Aladdin bad guy Jafar, but he proves to be better than his father.
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sterling Knight From Starstruck
Teen pop star Christopher Wilde (Sterling Knight) falls for a superfan’s younger sister, Jessica (Danielle Campbell). The only problem besides the paparazzi? Christopher has to convince Jessica to give him a chance to prove he’s more than just a tabloid celebrity.
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Shin Koyamada From Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
Brenda Song enchanted viewers with her powerful portrayal of popular teen Wendy Wu, who learns she is in fact the reincarnation of a famous warrior. With the help of young Buddhist monk Shen (Shin Koyamada), Wendy defeats a world-threatening evil spirit, becomes homecoming queen, and also finds love.