Former Disney Stars Debate Who Belongs on a Channel ‘Mount Rushmore’
Which former Disney Channel stars deserve spots on a pop culture “Mount Rushmore”? The question has sparked a growing online debate after Raven-Symoné shared her picks — and other famous alumni weighed in with strong opinions.
Raven-Symoné Makes Her Case
Raven-Symoné kicked off the conversation during an interview with Stepping Into the Shade Room. Host Thembi Mawema referenced fan debates about which Disney Channel stars belong on a “Mount Rushmore,” listing names like Hilary Duff, Zendaya, Keke Palmer, Shia LaBeouf and Raven.
Raven said: “I would say me, Hilary, Shia.” She did not include Miley Cyrus, saying, “I love you, Miley, but not Miley, she came after.”
Her final pick was a tribute. Raven named Lee Thompson Young, star of The Famous Jett Jackson, saying: “He is no longer with us, but he was the first Black show on Disney… I believe he should be on Disney Rushmore. He definitely deserves a spot.”
Young starred in 65 episodes of The Famous Jett Jackson (1998–2001) and related Disney Channel projects before his death in 2013. Raven herself starred in That’s So Raven (2003–2007) and later Raven’s Home, while Duff starred in Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004) and LaBeouf starred in Even Stevens (2000–2003).
Demi Lovato Proposes a Second Mountain
Demi Lovato addressed the same question on the Chicks in the Office podcast on March 18. She said Raven’s picks “definitely resonated,” but regarding LaBeouf added, “I’m OK on that one.”
Lovato suggested a generational split, saying: “I think there could be a separate Mount Rushmore for Disney Channel… which would probably be Jonas Brothers, Miley [Cyrus], Selena [Gomez] and hopefully me.”
She also drew a distinction between Disney stars and Disney Channel stars, referencing Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera from The Mickey Mouse Club: “They were on Disney, but they didn’t transform Disney Channel into what it is… I think Raven really did that. Hilary really did that.”
LaBeouf’s Spot Draws Pushback
Raven’s inclusion of LaBeouf proved divisive. Christy Carlson Romano, his Even Stevens co-star, posted on X in a message that was later deleted: “Shia doesn’t deserve to be on the Rushmore. I’ll be writing a substack on this so you can understand why.” (per Entertainment Weekly).
LaBeouf’s post-Disney career included arrests in New Orleans after bar altercations and a 2020 lawsuit by FKA Twigs alleging sexual assault, sexual battery and “relentless abuse,” which he denied. The case was later settled privately.
Macaulay Culkin Picks Just One Face
Even child star Macaulay Culkin joined the conversation, posting a photo of his wife Brenda Song on Instagram on March 20. “Not that anyone asked, but I’m throwing my hat into the debate. THIS is my Disney Channel Mount Rushmore,” he wrote.
Song starred as London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (2005–2008) and its spinoff The Suite Life on Deck (2008–2011), as well as Disney Channel movies Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, Stuck in the Suburbs and Get a Clue.
With multiple generations of beloved stars to choose from, the debate shows no sign of settling anytime soon.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
