Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not “the Nicest” on Set

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Reflecting upon these remarkable individuals who graced our screens with their youthful charm and talent, it is truly humbling to witness the complexity of human experiences hidden beneath the polished facades of Disney stardom.


Raven-Symoné and Demi Lovato are putting the past behind them. 

In the recent Hulu documentary titled “Child Star“, the former Disney Channel stars opened up about their reunion in 2010. Remarkably, the actress from “That’s So Raven” confessed that her guest appearance on Demi’s show “Sonny with a Chance” didn’t have a very favorable outcome for her.

In the documentary that she herself directed and produced, Demi began their conversation about this project by mentioning, “I’ve always admired you from That’s So Raven. You really inspired me.” To which they responded casually, “Girl, I was on your show.” And Demi reacted in surprise, “Wow, it’s really you!

However, Demi shared that she often struggles to recall details from that phase of her life because of her experience with dissociative disorders, which may result in memory loss as a consequence of past traumatic events, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Nevertheless, the 32-year-old does recall being challenging to work with, as they were in a great deal of pain and causing discomfort.

And Raven witnessed that firsthand while appearing as Amber Algoode on Sonny with a Chance.

She remembered thinking, “You weren’t particularly kind, and your greetings were lacking.

But as a child actor herself, Raven knew there had to be an explanation for Demi’s behavior.

As a devoted fan with years of experience under my belt, I find myself relating deeply to your situation. And when I saw that look in your eyes, the one that seems to hint at something more, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. I didn’t judge you for it; instead, I found myself thinking, “There’s a story here waiting to be unveiled.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired Demi for her unwavering honesty about the hardships she faced as a child star and her challenges in building connections with other actors. In an enlightening documentary, she candidly shared these experiences with her fellow cast member from “Camp Rock,” Alyson Stoner.

Demi Moore observed that her career significantly advanced after her first movie in 2008, and this development was particularly evident on the set of Camp Rock 2. However, she admitted that she experienced a change in power dynamics during the production, expressing that at first, she felt validated as she perceived herself to have been promoted. Yet, this career success seemed to strain her relationships with the cast members.

As Demi explained, “I was trading connection for success.”

And Alyson was one of the friendships that was sacrificed along the way.

The 31-year-old remembered finding it extremely difficult to connect with you in that manner. We seemed to have let go of our bond of trust and intimacy.

Alyson commented, “The past few years collaborating with you have been quite demanding. I recall an undercurrent of tiptoeing around potential conflicts. It’s clear that there was a significant amount of apprehension about possible outbursts.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I understand that each of us harbors our personal struggles. Yet, even amidst these individual journeys, it doesn’t grant me the license to act disrespectfully towards others.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Demi expressed sincere remorse to Alyson, saying, “I’m truly sorry for any discomfort, awkward situations, or hurt feelings I may have caused.” She continued, “I can’t help but feel deep regret when I think about that period, as I wonder who among so many people I might have unintentionally hurt.

Engaging in the creation of this documentary, featuring insightful interviews with fellow child actors like Drew Barrymore, Kenan Thompson, and JoJo Siwa, has offered me a fresh outlook, particularly regarding my aspirations for my future children.

In an interview with TopMob News at the Child Star screening, Demi put it this way: “I’d encourage my future kids to practice, practice, practice. Once they reach the right age, they can chase their dreams. However, I’d remind them not to forget about enjoying their childhood while they can.

The singer known for “Heart Attack,” who has been in a relationship with fellow musician Jordan “Jutes” Lutes since December, additionally disclosed that one of his main lessons learned during the production of the documentary was a strong desire to shield his children from social media and public attention.

She added, “But if music is their calling, they can do that when they turn 18.”

The movie “Child Star” is created by a team consisting of Demi, Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Miranda Sherman, and Kfir Goldberg under the banner of OBB Pictures.

Read on to see more Disney Channel child stars then and now.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following his debut as endearing heartthrob Ethan Craft in the Hilary Duff-led comedy, Clayton Snyder temporarily stepped away from acting to complete high school and attend Pepperdine University, where he played water polo. Although he appeared in an episode of NCIS in 2014, his primary focus now lies in his real estate career. However, when the subject comes up, he’s not hesitant to discuss his past as a child actor. “There have been clients who, halfway through showing them houses, say, ‘We just found out who you are and we can’t believe it!'” he shared with TopMob News. “But that makes me feel good because I know that’s not why they’re working with me. It’s the best of both worlds, where they get to enjoy recognizing me, but their initial connection was due to the quality of our work.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following his portrayal of Lizzie’s friend-turned-boyfriend David “Gordo” Gordon in the cherished comedy series, Adam Lamberg took on roles in movies titled “When Do We Dine?” and “Beautiful Loser“. As per his LinkedIn profile, he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from UC Berkeley followed by a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College. However, he has since stepped away from acting to focus on other pursuits, despite initially planning to reprise his role in the Lizzie McGuire reboot.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

After Lalaine’s character Miranda Sanchez was absent from the last six episodes of “Lizzie McGuire” and its 2003 movie due to filming for Disney Channel Original Movie “You Wish!”, her acting career seemed to dwindle as well. Her music career didn’t gain much traction, and a sequel series centered on Miranda titled “What’s Stevie Thinking?” never moved beyond the pilot phase in 2007. That same year, she was arrested for felony possession of meth but successfully completed court-ordered rehab, leading to the charge being removed from her record. Since then, she has made fewer appearances on both big and small screens, although she can often be found on Instagram. A film titled “Definition Please” was released in 2020 featuring her.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

After starring as the beloved character Matt on Lizzie McGuire for 65 episodes, Jake Thomas went on to have a consistent acting career. He made appearances on Disney’s Cory In the House, and later guest-starred on shows like ER, House, Criminal Minds, NCIS, and S.W.A.T.. He also collaborated with YouTuber Joey Graceffa in the web series Storytellers from 2013 to 2014. In 2018, he completed his degree in Screenwriting with a minor in Japanese Language at Cal State University, Northridge. On Instagram, he shares a blend of his own photos and nostalgic pictures from his days as a child actor.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following her debut leading part in the 2000 DCOM “Rip Girls,” Camilla Belle temporarily stepped away from acting, returning to the screen with the 2006 remake of “When a Stranger Calls” and the 2008 blockbuster “10,000 BC.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

As the youngest Russo sibling Max on “Wizards of Waverly Place” came to a close in 2012, I, Jake T. Austin, swiftly bounced back with a leading role on ABC Family’s show, later known as Freeform’s “The Fosters.” I portrayed Jesus Foster for the first two seasons before leaving and being replaced by Noah Centineo. Subsequently, I danced my way onto “Dancing With the Stars,” where I was the first contestant eliminated in season 23. I also contributed my voice to 2017’s “The Emoji Movie” and 2020’s “Adverse,” a thriller featuring Mickey Rourke. Excitingly, I am set to return to the magical world of Wizards for an upcoming sequel.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

In the years since the show ended in 2012, actor David Henrie, who played Justin Russo, has taken a different path from his fellow cast members. He was not part of the follow-up film “The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex”, but he has appeared in movies like “Grown Ups 2” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

As I stepped back into the shoes of Harper Finkle, best friend to Alex Russo in “The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex”, I’ve since graced the screens of other captivating projects like the 2014 Lifetime thriller “High School Possession” and Nickelodeon’s chilling anthology series “Deadtime Stories”.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

10 months old when she was cast as Charlie Duncan on the show “Good Luck Charlie,” which debuted in April 2010, Mia Talerico is now a 15-year-old star! After the show ended in 2014, she joined the YouTube network Brat’s kids’ series “Mani” as Paige for 13 episodes. Additionally, she has her own YouTube channel where she enjoys making “unboxing” and toy review videos. Can you believe it?

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

After finishing “Good Luck Charlie”, Teddy Duncan, Charlie’s middle sibling, took on a more mature role when Bridgit Mendler joined the second season of NBC comedy “Undateable” in 2015. She played a part in two seasons of this sitcom before it was canceled. Since then, she has made appearances in two episodes of “Nashville”, the Netflix film “Father of the Year”, and a Netflix series alongside Dennis Quaid and Ashley Tisdale titled “Merry Happy Whatever”.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Since the final Cheetah Girls Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) aired in 2008, Kiely Williams, a former member of Adrienne Bailon-Houghton’s group 3LW, has followed a somewhat distinct path compared to her fellow co-stars Raven-Symone.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following the airing of “Cheetah Girls: One World” in 2008, Sabrina Bryan took on the role of a correspondent for TopMob News during the eighth season of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2009. This was three seasons after she had competed and was eliminated in sixth place. She revisited the ballroom as an All Star during season 15 in 2012, once again finding herself eliminated in sixth position, exactly five years from her initial elimination date.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following his role in the 1999 DCOM “Smart House”, Ryan Merriman became a regular face on the network, featuring in “The Luck of the Irish” (2001) and “A Ring of Endless Light” (2002). Subsequently, he moved towards more mature roles, appearing in horror films such as “Halloween: Resurrection”, “The Ring Two”, and “Final Destination 3”. In 2010, he landed the recurring role of Ian Thomas on “Pretty Little Liars”, appearing in 16 episodes until 2014. He also played a supporting character in the 2013 Jackie Robinson biopic “42”. His career continues to thrive, although recently his roles have been more focused on independent productions.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Between 1999 and 2004, Kirsten Storms gained popularity on Disney Channel, featuring in the Zenon trilogy, Johnny Tsunami, and providing voiceovers for Kim Possible. Simultaneously, she started her journey towards a more mature career by joining NBC’s Days of Our Lives in 2000 for a four-year run that totaled 410 episodes.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

In 1998, Erik von Dette captured everyone’s attention as the leading star of one of the early Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs), titled “Brink!”. Subsequently, he could be seen virtually everywhere, lending his voice to shows like “Recess”, playing John Bryant in “The Princess Diaries”, and headlining the Disney Channel’s eerie series “So Weird” from 1999 to 2001. He also ventured into reality TV with a stint on ABC’s first celebrity edition of “The Mole”. His other short-lived television appearances include roles in shows like “Dinotopia” and “Complete Savages”. More recently, he reprised his role as Sid in the third installment of the Pixar franchise “Toy Story”, a character he had originally portrayed in its 1995 debut.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following his role as Ricky Ullman in the TV show “Phil of the Future” from 2004 to 2006, Raviv shifted towards more mature roles, appearing in “Big Love” and “House”, with his first credited appearance on “House” being under his real name in 2006. He then landed a series regular role on the Lifetime comedy “Rita Rocks” from 2008 to 2009. His more recent acting credits include an episode of “Broad City” in 2015 and a recurring role in the web series “Strangers” in 2018. Between 2012 and 2018, he made appearances in several stage shows and was also the drummer for Zoe Kravitz’s band, Lolawolf, from 2013 to 2014. In 2022, Raviv shared with TopMob News that he had just completed a directing job in San Francisco, where he directed an opera at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

1999 saw Kimberly J. Brown rise to fame as she portrayed the young witch Marnie Piper in the beloved Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM), “Halloweentown,” alongside the iconic Debbie Reynolds. The movie was such a success that it led to three sequels. However, in 2006’s “Return to Halloweentown,” the network opted for an unusual choice, replacing her with Sara Paxton. This decision didn’t sit well with fans, as the fourth film is often considered the least popular in the series.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Between the years 2006 and 2011, Mitchel Musso portrayed Oliver Oken, a close friend of Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) on the popular show “Hannah Montana.” As the series was wrapping up, he was on an upward trajectory in his Disney career, securing a main role in the new series “Pair of Kings” and hosting “PrankStars.” However, when he was apprehended for suspected DUI while underage on October 17, 2011 (he was 20 years old at the time), he was removed from “Pair of Kings” and his prank show was terminated. Subsequently, he focused on independent films and provided voice work for the Disney XD series “Milo Murphy’s Law.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Although Jason Earles portrayed Miley Stewart’s older brother Jackson on Hannah Montana initially written as a high school student in the first season, he was actually 29 when the show started and 34 by its end. Subsequently, he moved to Disney XD comedy Kickin’ It, where he played Rudy, a character more fitting his age, for four seasons until it ended in March 2015. Since 2018, he has been starring in the Brat series Hotel Du Loone, available on YouTube. Additionally, he joined the third season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. In August 2017, Jason Earles tied the knot with his girlfriend Katie Drysen.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

After portraying character Cory Baxter, Kyle Massey’s younger brother on That’s So Raven from 2003 to 2007, he gained his own spinoff series, Cory in the House, which aired until 2008. After that, he made recurring appearances on The Electric Company, had guest roles on Gotham and Being Mary Jane, supplied voiceovers for Fish Hooks, Mighty Magiswords, and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and participated in season 11 of Dancing With the Stars and a 2017 episode of Celebrity Family Feud opposite Jennie Garth.

Rumors circulated in 2018 that he would be joining the cast of The Hills: New Beginnings, but these turned out to be false, with Kyle himself referring to them as “fake news.”

In 2021, he was indicted for a felony charge of immoral communication with a minor. The actor’s attorney stated that Massey learned through the media about the resurfacing of the 2019 allegations in Washington state, a year after their dismissal. Massey asserts that the allegations then and now are extortionate.

The lawyer added that Massey plans to vigorously defend these accusations and seek civil damages from those unwilling to hear the facts. They aim for an early dismissal—hopefully putting these extortionate attempts to rest.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following his stint as Twitty on Even Stevens from 2000 to 2003 and voicing Josh Mankey in various Kim Possible episodes, A.J. Trauth ventured into guest-starring roles in numerous shows including 7th Heaven, House, Ghost Whisperer, CSI, Bones, and many more up until 2012. Since then, he’s been featured in several independent films and lent his voice to video games like Wolfenstein: The New Order and its sequel, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. A.J. Trauth got engaged to actress Leah Pipes in February 2014, whom he had been dating for nearly three years. They eventually divorced by 2019.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

After portraying the intelligent character Ren Stevens on Even Stevens for three years, embodying Kim Possible, and acting alongside Hilary Duff in the 2002 DCOM Cadet Kelly, Christy Carlson Romano moved on to Broadway, where she played Belle for a 31-week run in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 2004. She later revisited the theater district in 2008, joining the cast of Avenue Q.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

1999 marked the beginning of Brandon Baker’s DCOM journey, starring as the main character in the popular film “Johnny Tsunami.” Following this debut, he had occasional appearances, including roles on “Even Stevens” and more mature shows like “Boston Public” and “The Unit,” while simultaneously earning a degree from UC Santa Barbara.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

In the year 2001, Alana Austin took on the lead role in the Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) titled “Motocrossed.” This film featured Andrea “Andi” Carson, a teenager who adored motocross but was forbidden to compete. After her twin brother got injured before a major race, she started secretly racing under his name.

After the movie’s premiere, Austin made appearances in several TV shows such as “7th Heaven,” “Boston Public,” and “Cold Case.” However, she decided to leave acting behind entirely in 2006. It is said that she pursued medicine at USC, but when a fan asked about her current activities on Twitter in April 2016, she mentioned that she was focusing on writing, hinting that acting still held a special place in her heart.

Why Raven-Symoné Told Demi Lovato She Was Not "the Nicest" on Set

Following her consistent role in the show “Phil of the Future,” Kay Panabaker became quite familiar on Disney Channel, appearing in DCOMs like “Life is Ruff” and “Read It and Weep,” together with elder sister Danielle Panabaker. They also participated in the first Disney Channel Games of 2006. In 2009, Kay moved to more mature roles in the remake of “Fame” and the 2011 ABC series “No Ordinary Family.” However, by 2012 she decided to leave acting behind. Since then, Kay has been studying zoology at UCLA and, as of 2016, worked as an animal caretaker at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Read More

2024-09-19 05:25