The Rise of the Next Generation: How Disney is Nurturing Tomorrow's Superstars

Disney has a long-standing reputation for launching the careers of some of today's biggest names in entertainment, from Zendaya to Selena Gomez. Now, a new wave of young and multitalented stars is ready to take center stage, courtesy of Disney's strategic approach to star-making. Leading this charge are rising talents like Malachi Barton ("Descendants: Rise of Red"), Kylie Cantrall ("Camp Rock 3"), and Liamani Segura ("Percy Jackson").

These individuals are poised to captivate audiences across multiple platforms, making their mark on Hollywood at large. Disney's focus on cultivating the next generation of superstars was a top priority for Ayo Davis when she tasked Charlie Andrews, EVP of live action, and Brenda Kelly Grant, SVP of talent and casting, with the mission five years ago. By identifying talent that can captivate a new generation of viewers while embodying everything it takes to be a star in 2026, Disney aims to reclaim its throne as the ultimate star-making machine.

"Ayo made it clear that our primary objective is to build the next generation of Disney stars," explains Andrews. "We discussed various strategies for achieving this goal, and Brenda's team has done an outstanding job in identifying talent from all corners of the world for shows like 'Descendants,' 'Zombies,' 'Cheetah Girls,' 'Percy Jackson,' and the upcoming 'Coven Academy.' We realized that we needed to revitalize Disney Channel's legacy star-making machine." Discovering fresh faces and nurturing their talent is a multi-year investment.

It requires not only finding promising young actors but also keeping them within the Disney family as they grow and explore new opportunities. Disney's global search for new talent extends across various platforms, with the company even engaging in preliminary interviews before bringing actors on board. For Kelly Grant, this aspect of her job is one of the most rewarding.

"It's incredible to see raw potential that the rest of the world hasn't discovered yet," she says. "Rather than focusing solely on acting skills, we look ahead and consider who they might become and how we can provide them with opportunities that will help them reach their full potential." The audition room is no longer the sole indicator of talent; modern stars must also command an audience on social media.

This digital presence not only brings fresh eyes to Disney content but also allows for a direct relationship between talent and fans, leading to increased merchandise sales, concert ticket purchases, and event attendance. "We are entering a new era of Disney stardom because the combination of streaming music, live experiences, and social media allows us to build deeper relationships with our talent," explains Kelly Grant.

"This generation excels in experimenting across various platforms. The definition of a star has evolved, and our talent are meeting audiences where they are." Disney maintains a symbiotic relationship with social media platforms like TikTok, using strategy to drive the success of productions like "Zombies" and the record-breaking "Worlds Collide" live concert tour.

Social media plays a crucial role in connecting with young audiences and fostering long-lasting fan relationships. Navigating the complexities of working with minors is essential for Disney executives, who ensure they have numerous resources available, including on-set psychologists and therapists to help talent address any issues that may arise. Kelly Grant and Andrews also prioritize maintaining close relationships with their talent even after they've moved on from a specific project.

"We aim to have a strong presence on set, often sharing meals and conversations with our actors, both during and between projects," Andrews explains. "This allows us to have ongoing check-ins with them, ensuring we are aware of their thoughts, feelings, and needs." As talent develops, Disney seeks roles that allow them to showcase their diverse skills in acting, singing, dancing, and content creation.

Upon signing with Disney, performers gain access to the Becoming program, offering extra training in various performance arts to help them become well-rounded talents. Disney also maintains a strong relationship with The Music Group, enabling talent to continue working on music while filming a show or movie. "What's extraordinary about these young artists is their versatility as performers, content creators, and all-around entertainers," says Andrews.

"Each individual brings something unique to the table, and it's essential that we recognize and nurture those various facets of their talent." When talent is developed within Disney's ecosystem, the company strives to keep them in-house as they transition into adulthood. Established stars like Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly serve as examples of this strategy, with Manheim moving from "Zombies" to a leading role in Disney Studios' live-action adaptation of "Tangled," while both remain connected to the franchise as producers.

By leveraging its diverse portfolio of platforms, Disney offers talent opportunities that cater to different age groups and stages of their careers. Selena Gomez returned to the Disney family in 2021 for Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building," subsequently reprising her role as a producer and star in "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place." Barton will continue in the "Zombies" franchise but also join the cast of the upcoming "Coven Academy," created by Tim Federle, which caters to a teen audience and allows them to grow with their fans.

"I appreciate the versatility that Disney can offer talent," says Kelly Grant. "We have performers who move from series to film, music, and concerts, continuing to evolve creatively while maintaining connections with their audience." Andrews adds, "Our goal is to find roles for our talent across movies, family content, Hulu, FX, and beyond so that they start as part of the Disney family at every stage of their career." Building the next generation of superstars means understanding what a star truly represents in today's world.

Disney believes it has cracked the code and is committed to helping its talent meet those demands and take over Hollywood. "People say that there's no longer a traditional movie star, but I believe the definition has simply expanded," declares Kelly Grant. "Today's stars are not confined to one screen or one platform. When I look at the talent emerging today, it is very exciting."