Not only are Raven-Symoné and Zendaya two of the most iconic faces in Hollywood, but they’re also two of the biggest stars to get their start on Disney Channel. However, they’re not the only ones.
Here are 16 Black celebs you probably didn’t know got their start with Disney too:
1.
In her first role, Nia Long played Darla Perkins in the Disney TV movie The B.R.A.T. Patrol, which premiered as part of The Wonderful World of Disney.
2.
Before she starred on the Nickelodeon series True Jackson, VP, Keke Palmer played a key role in the double Dutch DCOM Jump In. She also filmed a pilot for a Disney Channel series called Keke & Jamal, but it wasn’t picked up.
3.
When she was 12, Bel-Air actor Coco Jones competed in Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing music competition. She signed with Disney’s label (Hollywood Records), guest-starred on two of their shows (Good Luck Charlie and So Random), and starred in a musical DCOM (Let It Shine). She was promised a sequel and her own series, but those plans never came to fruition.
4.
Before her Riverdale days, Vanessa Morgan starred in three DCOMs — Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars, My Babysitter’s a Vampire, and Geek Charming. She also starred in the Disney Channel series My Babysitter’s a Vampire (a spinoff of the movie) and had a recurring role on A.N.T. Farm.
5.
One of Chloe Bailey’s earliest roles was as a choir member in Let It Shine. She also guest-starred as herself on an episode of Austin & Ally.
6.
Halle Bailey appeared alongside her sister in Let It Shine and Austin & Ally. She’s set to play her first leading role in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
7.
Before her breakout role on BET’s Being Mary Jane, Raven Goodwin had a recurring role as Ivy Wentz on Good Luck Charlie.
8.
Trevor Jackson’s earliest professional role was as Young Simba in the national tour of Disney’s The Lion King musical when he was 8. One of his first major TV roles was as Kris McDuffy in the DCOM Let It Shine. He also guest-starred on Austin & Ally.
9.
Before he landed a main role on Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101, Christopher Massey had a guest spot on That’s So Raven alongside his younger brother Kyle.
10.
The Walking Dead actor Sydney Park made her onscreen debut as the recurring character Sydney on That’s So Raven.
11.
Now known for Freeform’s The Fosters and ABC’s Grand Hotel, Chris Warren first rose to prominence as Zeke Baylor in the High School Musical trilogy.
12.
Before booking a main role on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush, Tanya Chisholm played a minor role in High School Musical 2.
13.
Twitch streamer/influencer/entrepreneur Khleo Thomas had early roles in two Disney movies: Holes and Going to the Mat.
14.
The first main TV role Kyla Pratt booked was the voice of Penny Proud on The Proud Family. She reprised the role for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
15.
En Vogue member Rhona Bennett got her start as a member of The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.
16.
And finally, one of Jordan Fisher’s first onscreen roles was as Seacat in the musical DCOMs Teen Beach Movie and Teen Beach Movie 2. He also had a recurring role on Liv and Maddie. More recently, he voiced Robaire in the Pixar movie Turning Red.
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