## Remember Those Disney Channel Days? Where Are They Now? Raise your hand if you spent your childhood glued to the Disney Channel, belting out “Let It Go” with Elsa, or dreaming of attending a magical slumber party with Lizzie McGuire. We all have. But what happened to those stars who lit up our screens? Did they follow their dreams, fade into obscurity, or reinvent themselves completely? NJ.com takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane to discover the surprising journeys of some of your favorite Disney Channel stars – from behind-the-scenes glimpses to unexpected career turns. Get ready to catch up with the cast of your childhood, and see just how far they’ve come.
Disney Channel Alums in the Spotlight
Two Disney Channel alums surprised fans with a video of them kissing — but now they’re insisting the PDA was just a joke. Former “Jessie” costars Josie Totah and Karan Brar took to social media on Monday, Jan. 13, to break the news to fans that their apparent hard launch was not the real deal.
Totah shared a TikTok video of herself laughing and repeating, “It was a joke” several times. She stitched the clip with a video of her and Brar kissing. In the original video, Brar walked up behind Totah and put his arms around her before leaning in for a smooch.
“WE ARE TWO PLATONIC BEST FRIENDS WHO DANCED A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN,” Totah captioned the post. Brar, meanwhile, addressed the video via his Instagram Story, writing, “It was a joke 😭 didn’t mean to gaslight y’all <3.”
Despite Totah and Brar’s clarification, some fans still aren’t convinced that there’s no romantic connection between the pair. “That did NOTT look like a joke 😭😭,” one person commented on Totah’s TikTok video. Others speculated that Brar looked particularly smitten.
Josie Totah’s Journey: From “Jessie” to Transgender Advocate
Totah and Brar starred as Stuart Wooten and Ravi Ross, respectively, on the Disney Channel series “Jessie,” which aired from 2011 to 2015. Totah came out as transgender in 2018 in a personal essay for Time.
“My pronouns are she, her, and hers. I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. And my name is Josie Totah,” she wrote. Totah recalled being typecast as a “gay boy” throughout her acting career as people in the entertainment industry “kept assuming [her] identity.”
“Numerous reporters have asked me in interviews how it feels to be a young gay man. I was even introduced that way before receiving an award from an LGBTQ+ rights organization,” she wrote. “I understand that they didn’t really know better. I almost felt like I owed it to everybody to be that gay boy. But that has never been the way I think of myself.”
Karan Brar’s Apology: Was the Kiss a Joke or Not?
Since coming out, Totah has continued to act. She recently played Mabel Elmsworth in the AppleTV+ series “The Buccaneers” and Titi B on the NBC sitcom “Mr. Mayor.” While her character in “The Buccaneers” was in a lesbian relationship, Totah told People in March 2024 that she isn’t limiting herself to LGBTQ+ roles.
“I follow the story. I am an actor. I want to work,” she said. “So, it’s a combination of wanting to do a job, but also wanting to uplift storytellers who I find fascinating and tell stories that I feel like need to be told.”
Disney Channel Stars in the News
Maitland Ward and Danielle Fishel: Feud Erupts on “Pod Meets World”
Disney Channel alum Maitland Ward is speaking out after she got into a heated argument with her former “Boy Meets World” costar Danielle Fishel during a recent episode of the “Pod Meets World” rewatch podcast.
One day after the podcast episode aired on Monday, Feb. 24, Ward, who played Rachel McGuire on seasons 6 and 7 of “Boy Meets World,” told TMZ that she thinks Fishel, who played Topanga Lawrence, wanted to “trap” her during the “hurtful and shocking” exchange.
“It was like all of a sudden she turned into Regina George,” Ward quipped, referencing the film “Mean Girls.” She noted that she thinks Fishel brought up their past beef to scold her, not to hash things out and reconcile.
The Beef Between Ward and Fishel: What Went Wrong?
During the podcast interview, Fishel — who cohosts the podcast with fellow “Boy Meets World” alums Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter) and Will Friedle (Eric Matthews) — addressed Ward’s claims that she unfriended her on Facebook, ignored a Facebook message from her, and snubbed her on the set of “Girl Meets World,” which aired from 2014 to 2017.
Fishel also called out Ward for speaking to the press about the podcast. “It seems like almost any time the podcast is in the news, … there’s a quickly followed up TMZ interview with you,” Fishel said.
The Fallout: Ward Speaks Out on the Podcast Controversy
Ward later walked back the statement, noting “hate is a strong word,” while Friedle clarified the group’s estrangement from Savage. “Ben is one of the most important people I’ve ever met in my life, and I can’t stand the fact that he won’t speak to us. He won’t speak to us,” Friedle said.
Ward told TMZ on Tuesday, Feb. 25, that she hasn’t heard from Fishel, Friedle, or Strong since recording the episode.
“I really wasn’t expecting to hear from [Danielle] after such a contentious show,” she said. “I don’t have any ill-will toward her, and I never did. I actually wish her the best. I send her, always, nothing but love. … I feel like a lot of times she’s just sent me back toxicity in return.”
Conclusion
Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Lives of Disney Channel Stars Past and Present
As we delve into the world of Disney Channel stars, it becomes clear that their early success doesn’t necessarily guarantee a lifelong career in the entertainment industry. The article “Disney Channel stars: Where are they now?” on NJ.com takes readers on a journey through the lives of beloved Disney Channel stars, exploring their post-Disney endeavors, personal struggles, and triumphs. Key points highlighted include the struggles of transitioning from child stardom to adult roles, the importance of diversifying their skill sets, and the resilience required to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Notable examples, such as Hilary Duff, Shia LaBeouf, and Miley Cyrus, demonstrate that success is not solely defined by Disney Channel fame.
The significance of this topic lies in its ability to spark conversations about the realities of fame, the importance of planning for a post-Disney career, and the need for support systems to help navigate the challenges that come with transitioning from a child star to an adult entertainer. The implications of this topic extend beyond the entertainment industry, highlighting the universal struggles of adapting to change, finding one’s identity, and building a fulfilling career. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to recognize the value of these stories and the lessons they offer. By doing so, we can better support emerging talent and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with fame.
As we reflect on the lives of Disney Channel stars past and present, one thing becomes clear: their stories serve as a reminder that success is not a destination, but a journey. It’s a journey marked by triumphs and setbacks, but ultimately defined by the courage to adapt, the resilience to overcome, and the determination to pursue one’s passions. As we look to the future, let us remember the lessons of these Disney Channel stars and continue to support emerging talent, recognizing that their stories are not just about fame, but about the power of the human spirit to overcome, to adapt, and to thrive.