We are always watching celebrities grow before our eyes (some for the best and some for the worst). But do you ever wonder where their journeys take them? Her Campus WPUNJ takes a look at 10 celebs we grew to know and love (and some we still do).
1. Miley Cyrus
Miley was a teen sensation and one of the biggest idols of our time. We watched her grow, not only as Hannah Montana on her popular Disney Channel show but also performing with her father, top country artist Billy Ray Cyrus. We all wanted to be like her at one point, am I right, girls? This girl had clothing, handbags, furniture, and even accessories named after her. We couldn’t help but fall in love with her style. She was so successful (and she still is), but she’s exhibiting some seriously questionable behavior (like her music video for “Wrecking Ball”) now that she’s shedding her Disney skin.
2. Selena Gomez
Did you know that Selena Gomez had her first acting gig on Barney? Most people didn’t know her until she played Alex Russo on Disney Channel’s hit series Wizards of Waverly Place or when she guest starred on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or Hannah Montana. Selena wasn’t in as much of a rush to distance herself from her Disney persona, but she felt thatonce she turned 20, it was time for her to take on more mature roles and start dressessing…well, like this.
3. Demi Lovato
This brings us to our next inspirational star, Demi Lovato. Did you know she’s known Selena Gomez since they were 5 years old? Guess how ….Yes, she was on Barney, too! She auditioned the same year as Selena, and the two were on the show together. They’ve been best friends practically forever, even moving onto the Disney Channel at around the same time. Demi starred in Disney Channel original movie, Camp Rock and its sequel. Like, Selena and Miley, Demi’s also distanced herself from Disney as of late. Focusing more on her music and her health (after going through some issues with anxiety, depression, and eating disorder), Demi’s making a name for herself as a positive role model for young women. Enjoy watching her? You can catch her on X-Factor next month as a judge every Wednesday and Thursday!
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4. Jonas Brothers
What girl didn’t love the Jonas Brothers back in ’06 and ’07? These boys always knew how to keep their music fresh and new in every album, and when they all went from cute teenagers to handsome young men, we were smitten! The JoBros went through a rough patch when Kevin married longtime sweetheart, Danielle, and Nick went on to create his own solo album; but they came back with another new single this past year called “Pom-Poms.” Hold back those warm, fuzzy, blast-from-the-past feelings, collegiettes. The Jonas Brothers have canceled their upcoming tour because of a “disagreement,” and they’re saying that they can’t seem to come to a mutual agreement. On top of all that, their “Jonas Brothers” twitter has even been deleted! The internet is stirring with gossip and rumors about a split, but the band is urging fans to simply wait it out. Is the end for Jonas Brothers? We certainly hope not!
5. Amanda Bynes
If there’s one celebrity we wish could have stayed in the past, it’s Amanda Bynes. She used to be that cute, little girl who played the adorable ‘Ashley’ in the “Dear Ashley” segment on All That. After All That,  her career kept moving on up, from The Amanda Show to What I like about You to successful movies like What I Like About You, She’s the Man, Hairspray, and Easy A. Now, she’s a bully who picks fights with people and documents her crazy exploits on Twitter. And not only that, Amanda’s gotten herself into loads of trouble, being charged with a DUI and two counts of hit and run in 2012 and later being diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Like Lindsay Lohan, another infamous child-star, Amanda Bynes has been in and out of court and rehab. Funny thing is, in one of her interviews before all the madness, she talked about how she’s supported by loving friends and family and would never end up like Lindsay Lohan….Here, take a look! All we want is for Amanda (and Lindsay) to get some help and go back to doing what she does best!
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6. Justin Bieber
This Canadian singing sensation didn’t have any trouble making it to the top. Just posting some videos on YouTube (originally meant for family), Biebs attracted quite a few producers who were instantly blown away. His first single, “One Time,” was a hit and, might I add, very catchy! But ever since then, he’s been heading down some bad paths. I’m not talking about the tattoos he’s been getting (since we’ve got no problems about guys having ink) but rather the influences surrounding him, as well as the trouble he’s stirred up – like relieving himself into a restaurant’s mop bucket, serenading his grandmother in his birthday suit, getting busted for driving in California without a license, getting caught with marijuana at the Michigan/Canada border, and most recently, getting caught drinking underage. Lately he’s been nothing but trouble, but girls (especially his “Beliebers”) will never see it because they’re blinded by his looks.
7. Dylan and Cole Sprouse
These twin cuties were always catching our eye. They have been involved with their acting career for most of their lives – you might even recognize Cole as Rachel and Ross’s son, Ben Geller, on Friends. They acted in movies from a very young age and finally made their own break on Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, where they played twin brothers living in a hotel and causing hijinks. After The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, they had then developed into high schooler on spin-off show The Suite Life On Deck, where they took their characters and the rest of the cast on a cruise ship. The show ended with Zack and Cody as seniors in high school about to start college. Like in the show, Dylan and Cole were soon about to start their college careers in real life. They attended college at NYU, Cole studying Film and Production and Dylan studying Fine Arts. Where are they now? Well, while I can’t speak for Cole, (who last we heard had done a social experiment on tumblr), Dylan is currently serving food at a restaurant (not because he needs the money but as a hobby) and plans to get back into acting sometime in the future.
8. Josh Hutcherson
When he was younger, Josh Hutcherson starred in successful movies like Bridge to Terabithia and RV (costarring Jojo). Now he’s known for playing Peeta Mellark in the extraordinarily successful The Hunger Games series (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire comes to theaters November 22nd!). He continues to make us proud and isn’t falling under the pressure like we see with the rest of these downhill celebs. Continue to make us proud with more great hits, Josh!
9. Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer was always someone we watched whether it was in movies, shows, music videos, etc. She first started acting in the successful movie Akeelah and the Bee back in 2006. After that, she started pursuing her music and acting career (though mostly acting). She also starred in her own Nickelodeon show, True Jackson VP, where she played the title character, a teenager who was promoted to Vice President of a fashion company. Today, she still continues to act, such as in the newest movie everyone’s dying to see (including me): CrazyCoolSexy: The TLC Story.
10. Jesse McCartney
And last but not least, there was Jesse Mccartney, who originally was discovered in a young boy band called DreamStreet. He was the youngest member with the strongest voice. Since the age of 12, he was into singing as well as acting and was successful in both! His solo single and album, Beautiful Soul, was a hit on Radio Disney for years. And since that first album, Jesse’s produced several equally-catchy albums. He was also part of Dinsey Channel even as an adult, with guest appearances on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Hannah Montana. Beyond Disney, Jesse saw success as an actor, too, with roles in All My Children, Alvin and the Chimpmunks (he voiced Theodore!), Young Justice, Army Wives, and more. If you’re still a fan, check out his new single, “Back Together!”