Former Disney Channel and Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior star Brenda Song discusses how the network was surprisingly ahead of its time when recruiting diverse casts in its feature movies. While the actor is most known for her role of heiress and socialite London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Song also starred in the Disney Channel movies The Ultimate Christmas Present, Stuck in the Suburbs, and Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. Beyond her Disney Channel career, Song has also appeared in The Social Network, New Girl, and more recently The Last Showgirl.

Song opened up to Vanity Fair about her early career at the Disney Channel, and how the network’s production strategies stood out to her. For Song, interacting with Disney Channel viewers in the years since has opened her eyes to the true impact each feature had on its audiences, with the actress stating that the channel’s color-blind casting helped many artists start their careers and tell their stories in ways other places hadn’t at the time. Check out Song’s full explanation below:

“It’s really interesting now to see those shows come back around. More than ever, I’ve had people come up and talk to me about Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrio.Disney was honestly very ahead of the curve when it came to colorblind casting, being able to give opportunities to kids of all ages, sizes, colors, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities to tell their own stories.”

How Disney Channel Had A Key Place In Shaping The Entertainment Industry

Disney’s Wide Reach And Outlets Helped Many Celebrities Launch Their Careers

With the introduction of Disney+ and its vast streaming library, those who grew up with the Disney Channel have been able to revisit and share their favorite made-for-TV movies that the network released throughout its peak with ease. As such, many тιтles have entered popular discussion once more, be they more mainstream hits like High School Musical, Rock, or more niche тιтles like Jump In! and Minutemen. With such strong fondness that exists from its former audiences, it is clear that these movies have left an impact that remains to this day.

With their wide range of genres, Disney Channel movies appeal to a large demographic of viewers, be they interested in a certain star or wanting to see a feature-length installment of a popular show. With this large share of television audiences and other potential ventures through the corporation’s other business fronts, including music labels, young actors who were offered to lead a production had an incredible opportunity to prove themselves as rising stars. As such, the channel has had a noticeable impact on many well-known stars today in helping kick-start their careers, including Song, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and many more.

Our Thoughts On The Disney Channel’s Impact

The Channel’s Heyday May Be Over, But Its Impact Is Immeasurable

While the topic of child stars can be somewhat complicated due to certain controversies and business practices, many Disney Channel stars were offered the perfect launching point for their careers. This allowed Song and others the opportunity to break out and gave many viewers a chance to see themselves in stories put on screen. Though the streaming landscape may have made the heights of the Disney Channel a thing of the past, it is something that will forever remain special to those who grew up with it, and those who were able to become stars thanks to it.

Source: Vanity Fair