Gayety

Tag: disney channel

  • Miley Cyrus Teases Big Plans for Hannah Montana’s 20th Anniversary

    Miley Cyrus Teases Big Plans for Hannah Montana’s 20th Anniversary

    It’s been nearly 20 years since Hannah Montana first hit Disney Channel, and Miley Cyrus says she’s ready to mark the occasion in a big way.

    During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s TikTok Radio, the 32-year-old singer and actress revealed she has something “really, really special” in mind for the beloved character’s milestone anniversary.

    Miley Cyrus performs during her "Best of Both Worlds" tour at Nassau Coliseum on December 27, 2007 in Uniondale, New York.
    Miley Cyrus performs during her “Best of Both Worlds” tour at Nassau Coliseum on December 27, 2007 in Uniondale, New York. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

    A Role That Changed Everything

    Cyrus rose to fame playing Miley Stewart, a teenager leading a double life as a regular high schooler by day and global pop star Hannah Montana by night. The series ran from 2006 to 2011 and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon, launching Cyrus into global superstardom.

    Reflecting on the role, Cyrus said, “Without Hannah, there really wouldn’t be this kind of… this me,” acknowledging just how foundational the show was to her current career.

    Last year, she became the youngest person ever named a Disney Legend, a rare honor that recognizes individuals who’ve made an enduring impact on the company’s legacy. Naturally, the role of Hannah played a big part in that.

    From Teen Icon to Timeless Nostalgia

    In her SiriusXM interview, Cyrus expressed genuine excitement about revisiting the world of Hannah Montana. “It’s so crazy to think I started as a character that I thought would be impossible to shed,” she said. “Now, she’s become a part of so many people’s childhoods, something nostalgic rather than limiting.”

    Cyrus said she’s looking forward to celebrating the character, especially as so many fans who grew up with Hannah Montana are now adults. “I’ve now been kind of integrated into everyone’s life as the character itself. So that’s exciting to get to celebrate that.”

    Singer Hannah Montana performs at a promotional concert for the release of her new DVD "Hannah Montana 2" at Hollywood & Highland on June 26, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.
    Singer Hannah Montana performs at a promotional concert for the release of her new DVD “Hannah Montana 2” at Hollywood & Highland on June 26, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

    “This Is the Life”

    While accepting her Disney Legend award in 2024, Cyrus dedicated the honor to her iconic alter ego and her fans. “In so many ways, this award is dedicated to Hannah and all of her amazing, loyal fans… To quote the legend herself, ‘This is the life.’”

    Cyrus previously told fans she’s open to revisiting the character, saying in a 2020 interview, “I try to put that wig on all the time… She’s just in storage collecting dust, and I’m ready to whip her out.”

    She added that if Hannah were to return, she’d definitely need a style upgrade: “She’s kinda stuck in 2008, so we’ll need to go shopping with Miss Montana.”

    Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus performs during the Disney Channel Games 2007 Concert at The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on April 27, 2007 in Kissimmee, Florida.
    Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus performs during the Disney Channel Games 2007 Concert at The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on April 27, 2007 in Kissimmee, Florida. Photo: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

    What’s Next for Hannah?

    Cyrus hasn’t confirmed any official plans, but her remarks suggest fans should keep their eyes peeled for a heartfelt, possibly glamorously chaotic tribute to the girl who gave them the best of both worlds.

    Whether it’s a one-off reunion, a musical tribute, or even a full-fledged reboot, one thing is clear: Miley is ready to shine that spotlight on Hannah once again.

  • ‘ZOMBIES 4’ Cast on How the Franchise Inspires a New Generation – ‘It’s Such an Important Message’

    ‘ZOMBIES 4’ Cast on How the Franchise Inspires a New Generation – ‘It’s Such an Important Message’

    Freya Skye and Malachi Barton are officially part of the ZOMBIES legacy, fangs and all.

    The duo stars as Nova and Victor in ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, the fourth installment of Disney Channel’s monster-musical hit. This time, Zed and Addison are headed to summer camp, before they get caught in a clash between Daywalkers and Vampires. With some help from old friends—and two bold new recruits—they must bring everyone together before a bigger threat takes over.

    Fangs, Fight Scenes, and Swag: Meet Nova and Victor

    While speaking to Gayety, the duo kicked things off by swapping roles and impersonating each other’s characters. Skye gave her best Malachi impression, but Barton wasn’t buying it.

    “That’s not what I sound like,” he laughed.

    He clapped back with a dramatic Skye parody: “Hi, I’m Freya Skye. My new song ‘Gold’s Gone’ just dropped. My character Nova is brave, tough, and has a lot of fight scenes. She loves leadership—and her family.”

    Skye grinned and delivered her take: “Victor’s got swag. Like, off-the-charts swag. And he’s super curious.”

    Their playful banter reflects a real-life friendship that clearly translated on screen.

    Joining the Franchise

    Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires Cast Freya Skye, Malachi Barton, Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly
    Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires Cast Freya Skye, Malachi Barton, Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly

    Since its debut in 2018, Disney’s ZOMBIES franchise has become a pop musical juggernaut—blending monsters, cheerleaders, and big-hearted messages of acceptance. Each film builds on the last, expanding Seabrook’s supernatural universe with werewolves, aliens, and now vampires. In ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, Freya Skye and Malachi Barton join the cast as Nova and Victor—two stylish, strong-willed teens caught in a centuries-old rivalry between the Daywalkers and Vampires.

    For Skye, joining the beloved franchise was a surreal full-circle moment.

    “It means so much,” Skye said. “I think ZOMBIES was a franchise that, when I was younger, it really inspired me. And I think being able to join a franchise that inspired me when I was younger is so surreal and just crazy overall.”

    “Working with the people who inspired me and being surrounded by such incredible people every day was just the most incredible thing,” she added. “I was just so grateful to get to tell this story for ZOMBIES 4 and join such a beloved franchise.”

    A Message That Matters

    ZOMBIES 4: DAWN OF THE VAMPIRES – (Disney/Matt Klitscher) FREYA SKYE, MALACHI BARTON

    For Barton, the experience was just as personal.

    “It’s crazy. No, I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “I think that it’s such an important message just in our day and age right now—coming together as one group literally no matter what.”

    “I think all people could watch this movie and in some way, shape, or form relate to it in some way,” he continued. “But yeah, I’m just really grateful to be able to spread the message of coming together. Unity. I think it’s super special.”

    ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires is streaming now on Disney+. Watch our interviews with the cast here:

  • The ‘ZOMBIES 4’ Cast Settles the Camp Rock vs. Camp Star Debate

    The ‘ZOMBIES 4’ Cast Settles the Camp Rock vs. Camp Star Debate

    It didn’t take long for things to spiral into chaos—in the best way. “Do you know the Camp Rock 2 dance?” I asked, and before I could finish, Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly jumped in their seats. “Boom, boom, boom, boom. Camp Rock.”

    “This movie is also directed by the same director,” Manheim pointed out. “Paul Hoen!”

    That energy captures exactly what fans can expect from ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, the latest installment in Disney’s hit musical saga. The ZOMBIES franchise has become a monster-sized success since the first film debuted in 2018, with each movie topping the charts for kids and tweens and racking up billions of music streams. Now, the fourth film brings all the music, dance, and feel-good chaos to summer camp—with fangs.

    What ZOMBIES 4 Is All About

    In ZOMBIES 4, Zed and Addison’s summer road trip takes a wild turn when they end up as camp counselors caught between two rival monster factions: Daywalkers and Vampires. With the help of old friends (hi, Eliza and Willa!) and some powerful new recruits, they try to unite the supernatural squads before a bigger threat emerges.

    Naturally, since this one takes place at camp, we had to ask the cast about Camp Rock 2. The debate? Should Camp Star have won the Final Jam, or was Camp Rock robbed?

    Settling the Final Jam Debate

    “I remember being like eight years old… I have an allegiance to Mitchie and Shane and the whole gang,” Donnelly said. “So when they lost I was like, no. But deep down in my soul, I was like, they ate. They deserved that.”

    “Same,” Manheim added. “I wasn’t like a ‘do you know how hard they worked?’ guy. I was more of a player guy—like fantasy football. I just wanted this one person to do well.”

    Meet the New Vampires

    Beyond the dance nostalgia and Disney lore, ZOMBIES 4 also introduces two new stars to the saga: Freya Skye as Nova and Malachi Barton as Victor, a pair of fierce monsters with serious presence.

    Skye and Barton were clearly having a blast together—so much so that we asked them to swap roles and introduce each other’s characters.

    “Hey, I’m Malachi Barton. I play Victor in ZOMBIES 4,” Skye said in a mock voice.

    “That’s not what I sound like!” Barton protested, before taking his turn: “Hello, it’s Freya Skye here. My new song ‘Gold’s Gone’ just released… My character Nova is a very adventurous, very, very tough, brave girl. She has so many fight scenes and she just embraces the power of leadership and she just loves her family.”

    The two also spoke about what it meant to join such a beloved franchise.

    “It means so much,” Skye said. “ZOMBIES was a franchise that, when I was younger, really inspired me… working with the people who inspired me and being surrounded by such incredible people every day was just the most incredible thing.”

    “A hundred percent,” Barton added. “I think that it’s such an important message in our day and age—coming together as one group, literally no matter what. I think all people can watch this movie and relate to it in some way.”

    Music, Nostalgia, and the Return of “Someday”

    Of course, no ZOMBIES movie is complete without music. And fans of the original films are in for a treat: both “Someday” and “Ain’t No Doubt About It” return—with new reprises.

    “When ‘Ain’t No Doubt About It’ came to us, I was like, this has the potential to be a ‘Someday,’” Manheim said. “And it totally reached that potential.”

    “I think the reprise in ZOMBIES 4 is probably the most special thing out of the whole franchise,” Donnelly added. “It’s really hard [to choose], but because of everything we’ve been through, it has to be ‘Someday.’”

    And yes, there’s tap dancing. “We both be tapping,” Manheim said. “It’s something we connected on in the first movie.”

    “We added a little dewy tapping in ‘Someday,’ and we reached its full potential,” Donnelly said. “It just felt right for that moment.”

    So what do you get when you combine summer camp, Disney hot takes, dance battles, and vampire drama? A ZOMBIES movie that goes all in—and maybe even makes you cry a little.

    “This is the best interview we’ve had all day,” Manheim said. “Thank you for letting us be the weirdest.”

    The Disney Channel Original Movie ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires premieres July 10 on Disney Channel, with streaming available the next day on Disney+.

    Watch the full interview with the cast below.

  • Fans Wonder if Former ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Star Dan Benson Is Actually Closing His OnlyFans Account

    Fans Wonder if Former ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Star Dan Benson Is Actually Closing His OnlyFans Account

    Former Wizards of Waverly Place star Dan Benson has announced that he is stepping away from his adult entertainment career by shutting down his OnlyFans account, a decision he made after reflecting on his past actions and personal motivations. Benson, who became widely known for his role as Zeke Beakerman on the Disney Channel show, opened up about his choice in a recent TikTok video that has since been deleted.

    Benson’s venture into adult content started in 2022 after private photos of him were leaked online. Initially, he turned to OnlyFans as a way to regain control of the narrative and support his financial needs, including paying medical bills for his elderly dog. However, in the TikTok post, Benson admitted that, after several years in the adult industry, the experience had started to take a toll on him, leading him to reconsider his path forward.

    “I think I’m done,” Benson said in the video. “When I made the decision to start an OnlyFans page, I thought I was doing it for the right reasons. I was doing it to support financially my elderly dog that needed a lot of financial help with his medical bills. I was tired of being so poor and feeling like I was being taken advantage of. I don’t know. I think after years of doing this, it’s starting to weigh on me and I’m going to pull away for a while and take some time to reflect.”

    The 37-year-old actor, who has gained a significant following on social media since his departure from the Disney Channel spotlight, went on to express his gratitude for his fans’ support. He also hinted that he may explore returning to acting or seeking a more traditional job. However, given that Wizards of Waverly Place has been rebooted with many of its original cast members, it seems unlikely that Benson would reprise his role, especially given his adult content history. He has previously acknowledged that Disney, which maintains a family-friendly image, would likely not welcome his return due to his adult film career.

    “Thank you to everyone who has supported me this whole time,” Benson continued. “I might go back to acting. I might just go and try and get a normal job and disappear. Just be a normal person. I don’t really know. I hope I can remove some of the stuff that is already out there. So if you’re thinking about doing this, just be thoughtful, because I know it’s going to be really hard.”

    Although Benson has made the decision to shut down his OnlyFans, as of February 6, his account remained active. However, he has since continued to engage with his audience on other platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), where he posted a spicy video just days after his announcement. It appears that while he’s stepping away from adult content, Benson is not completely disappearing from the public eye just yet.

    Benson’s journey into the adult entertainment industry has been a controversial one, especially given his former Disney Channel fame. Many fans were shocked to learn that the actor, known for his wholesome role on Wizards of Waverly Place, had started creating adult content online. However, Benson has repeatedly emphasized that his decision was financially motivated, driven by the need to support his family, and that he never anticipated the personal and public challenges that would follow.

    Now, as he steps away from the adult industry, Benson is reflecting on the impact his choices have had on his life and his career. It remains to be seen what direction he will take next, but for now, he seems focused on stepping back and considering his future options, whether they involve a return to acting, pursuing a “normal” job, or continuing to live a more private life away from the public eye.

    In the coming months, fans may get a better sense of what Benson’s next steps will be as he takes the time to regroup and reflect.

  • Selena Gomez’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Character Was Bisexual

    Selena Gomez’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Character Was Bisexual

    During an appearance on the Wizards of Waverly Pod podcast, Disney Channel showrunner Peter Murrieta confirmed Alex Russo’s bisexuality and the relationship he wished they could have explored. (more…)

  • Disney Cartoon Series ‘The Owl House’ Has First Gay Kiss

    Disney Cartoon Series ‘The Owl House’ Has First Gay Kiss

    In season two of The Owl House, Luz Noceda finally kisses her girlfriend, Amity Blight.

    (more…)