7 Former Disney Stars That Are Dominating the Radio ...

1. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez was originally known for playing Alex on Wizards of Waverly Place, but these days she’s completely captured the music world by storm. Although this is her fifth studio album, it’s her first album that’s not associated with Disney, which marks a serious departure for the star. It’s clearly working too- her new album Revival is constantly getting airplay on the radio!

2. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato originally played Mitchie in Disney Channel’s iconic original movie Camp Rock alongside the Jonas Brothers. She went on to star on Sonny with a Chance and had a pretty prolific music career before stepping away from her Disney roots for a little bit. She’s back with her new album, Confident, and it’s such an amazing departure that if her vocals weren’t just as stellar as always, you would never know that this was the same girl from the Disney Channel!

3. Nick Jonas

Remember when Nick Jonas was known as nothing more than the cute JoBro who had probably dated Miley Cyrus and was probably dating Selena Gomez? Those days are over now, but thankfully, Nick’s career is bigger than ever. He had two huge hit singles this summer that propelled him into music superstardom, and his newest single, Levels, is doing just as well! You can even catch Nick on tour with his former Disney cohort, Demi Lovato, this summer! Talk about a flashback!

4. Joe Jonas

Joe Jonas, like Nick, is a former Jonas Brother, and like Demi, starred in Camp Rock. When the Jonas Brothers broke up, a lot of people worried that he would stray from a music career, but thankfully, that’s not the case. Instead, he’s formed a new band, DNCE, and their single and following EP, Cake by the Ocean and SWAAY, respectively, are dominating the airwaves these days!

5. Taylor Swift

I know what you’re thinking. Did I get amnesia when Taylor Swift was a Disney star? Most people don’t think of Taylor Swift was a Disney star, and technically, she wasn’t, but what a lot of people don’t realize is just how associated with the Disney brand she was. Not only did she date Joe Jonas and star in his concert movie with his brothers, but she also had a cameo in the Hannah Montana movie. In that movie, she sang a song, Crazier, that marked her transition into country-pop songs, that really helped launch her super-stardom!

6. Shawn Mendes

While Shawn Mendes technically started on Vine, he is one of the few artists who’s been able to dominate both Radio Disney and the Top 40 radio at the same time. His current single, Stitches, is a constant on both. While he’s known to sing a song or two with a few of Disney’s current stars (his song with Dove Cameron is still stuck in my head!) he also knows how to launch a career into mainstream pop as well!

7. Fifth Harmony

Just like Shawn Mendes, Fifth Harmony didn’t get their start on Disney. Instead, they started on The X-Factor. Rather than let their career fizzle after their third place win, they worked with Disney-affiliated groups (like Radio Disney) to help launch their career into mainstream media as well. These days, Worth It had been on the radio nearly nonstop for months on end, but you won’t see me complaining!

Who’s your favorite Disney star who’s currently dominating the radio? I love all of these singers, and I’ve loved watching their careers begin on Disney!