Former Disney Kids Share The Most Bizarre Rules They Had To Obey
If they can make MCU actors read a script in one sitting, imagine how easy it was to manipulate children.
Entertainment giant Disney is famous for its compelling stories, iconic characters, and talented roster of young stars. But behind the scenes, Disney enforces a strict set of rules for its celebrities, covering everything from dress to behavior.
Here are the most bizarre stories of former Disney stars and the rules they had to follow.
Jenna Ortega
The star of the series Stuck in the Middle shared that at the beginning of her career on the Disney Channel, she had to undergo media training, which included instructions to post on social media three times a day in order to build followers, engage with the audience, and promote the show.
Jenna also revealed that her follower count became a daily topic of discussion during auditions and meetings within the Disney environment.
Hilary Duff
Famous for her role as shy and self-conscious middle schooler Lizzie McGuire, Hilary Duff is one of those Disney children who managed to find success outside of Disney. However, the actress revealed a pressing need for a break from the draining demands of the show.
Growing up in the spotlight, the constant cycle of touring, recording, and filming without the ability to take a break left the young actress disconnected from herself. Eventually, the actress was able to exhale, but only after she had little choice but to take a step back for a while.
Bella Thorne
Disney Channel's focus on a young audience means that its stars must project a clean and innocent image on a daily basis. Shake It Up's Bella Thorne revealed that she almost lost her job at Disney when a photo of her in a bikini at the age of 14 surfaced online.
According to her account, someone from Disney got in touch with her and advised her to wear boy shorts and a loose-fitting t-shirt to the beach in order to avoid any controversy.
Vanessa Hudgens
During her time at the Disney Channel, Vanessa Hudgens had her private photos leaked and instead of letting the real culprit face the consequences, the company reportedly made Vanessa apologize in order to preserve her image as a child star.
Joe Jonas, who was also part of Disney at the time, recalled the incident and mentioned that Vanessa had to spend a day at the Disney offices as they struggled with how to handle the situation and keep her on lockdown.
Selena Gomez
Disney does indeed demand a squeaky clean image from its stars, both on and off-screen. Selena Gomez, known for her iconic role as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place, acknowledged the pressure, saying she felt like she was on a pedestal at the time and struggled with being labeled a "good girl" as she grew and changed under the influence of Disney and Hollywood.
