If you're a regular Spotify listener or just like turning the radio on in the car, you've probably heard the most iconic names in the music industry. From the iconic voices of the past, such as Whitney Houston, Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Britney Spears; to the new kids on the block, like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Ariana Grande, we love to listen while pop stars light up their microphones.
The Walt Disney company has been no stranger to iconic pop stars this century. They've been supporting new talents on both sides of the performing arts for decades. In the last 20 years, some of the most iconic pop stars started their music and acting careers with Disney. Today, we rank the top 5:
#5 - Selena Gomez
After Miley Cyrus, the second name that pops into your head is Selena Gomez. Selena is a name that everyone knows in Hollywood, but she didn't necessarily get her start on Disney. She first appeared as a child star as a friend to Barney the Dinosaur on PBS Kids. As she grew nearer to adulthood, Disney had her do cameos in "Lizzie McGuire" and "Hannah Montana" before casting her as Alex Russo in the Emmy Award winning Disney Channel Original Series "Wizards of Waverley Place." She also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Princess Protection Program" next to Demi Lovato. She also starred in ABCs "Another Cinderella Story" as Mary Santiago.
Yet, some of her songs from the Disney Channel have gone mainstream. The Wizards of Waverley Place theme song "Everything is Not What it Seems" is one of the catchiest on the network. The main theme for Princess Protection Program "One in the Same" combined Gomez and Lovato's talents for a major hit. During her time on Another Cinderella Story, she sang a duet with Drew Seeley titled "New Classic" and did the hit song "Tell Me Something I Don't Know."
Since her time with Disney, Selena's role in TV and film has been more behind the scenes, but is still mainstream. Selena is the Executive Producer for the popular and controversial Netflix series "13 Reasons Why." As an actor or a musician, her name hasn't been as big as it once was, which is why Selena slots in at number five.
#4 - Olivia Rodrigo
The new kid on the block has certainly arrived in Hollywood with a bang. Olivia arrived at Disney took up the High School Musical mantle for Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. She has already surpassed both of them as a musician with hit singles like "Deja Vu" and "Drivers License."
What keeps Olivia at number four right now is that she's only 21 years old. I want to be clear: Olivia Rodrigo has the potential to be number one. That doesn't mean she will end up number one or that she is number one right now. It means that if she keeps up this level of consistency, she should be the Disney version of Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande.
She's not there yet, but I think she will be in the future.
#3 - Demi Lovato
Many underestimate Demi, but she one of the greats. She came onto the spotlight next to the Jonas Brothers in the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise "Camp Rock" as Mitchie Torres. She also starred in "Princess Protection Program" with Selena Gomez. She had some great singles including "Brand New Day," but her duet "This is Me" alongside Joe Jonas is her most iconic.
Demi took her talents to new heights after the culmination of her time with Disney. She served as a judge on two seasons of "The X-Factor" and has had numerous hit singles such as "Skyscraper" and "Sorry Not Sorry."
While Demi has been a major superstar for Disney, her fame has not been nearly as iconic as the other two on this list.
#2 - Sabrina Carpenter
Many are wondering where this came from, but I'm not surprised. Sabrina was a singer and songwriter before she even got to the Disney Channel. Her name only became bigger when she starred on the Disney Channel spin-off series "Girl Meets World" as Maya Hart. After a few years of great singles, Sabrina broke out this year with her biggest hit yet, "Espresso." I can't go anywhere without this one playing. It is the number one song in the world right now.
On top of that, "Please Please Please" and "Taste Me" are easily two of Sabrina's best. Her shows are becoming must see concerts across the country. In 2024, she went from a star to a SUPERSTAR! Only one is a more iconic singer from Disney.
#1 - Miley Cyrus
The first name you think about when you consider Disney vocalists is Miley Cyrus. Ironically, it was really "The Best of Both Worlds" when Miley was cast as Miley Stewart in the hit Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana." She was also cast next to John Travolta in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film "Bolt" as Penny, Bolt's owner. She is one of the most iconic to ever appear on Disney Channel. By 2008, she was the star of the entire network.
After four seasons as Hannah Montana, Miley went on to become as big of a pop star as Taylor Swift. Her most famous hits include "Party in the U.S.A.", the controversial "Wrecking Ball", and the recent two-time Grammy Award winning song "Flowers." Party in the U.S.A. has been used in many American political settings across the country. It's become synonymous with American patriotism.
Her success is nearly unmatched by the rest of the competition. Once the southern glamorous beauty of Disney, nobody has ever reached her heights. If not for Miley, many would never have followed her. The original Queen of Disney.
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