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In Pictures: Eight Hot Kid Stars To Watch

This article is more than 10 years old.


© Disney Channel/Bob D'Amico

The world's largest media companies are betting big on these teens, hoping for a jackpot.



© Disney Channel/Bob D'Amico
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Demi Lovato

Age: 15

Starring Role: Disney Channel movie Camp Rock (premiering in June) and Princess Protection Program (premiering in the 2008-09 season)

Background: Barney and Friends, Disney Channel sitcom shorts As the Bell Rings

She can act, she can sing and she sure knows how to play the piano--just three of the reasons why Disney dubbed the young talent "The Next Big Thing." Now, the 15-year-old has two network flicks and a tour with the Jonas Brothers to prove it. Watch out, Miley Cyrus.



© Disney Channel/Bob D'Amico
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Miranda Cosgrove

Age: 14

Starring Role: Nickelodeon's iCarly, big screen's Drake and Josh in New York!

Background: Commercials, role in School of Rock

She may play an accidental star on Nickelodeon's hit series iCarly, but there's nothing accidental about Cosgrove's success. The Los Angeles-based teen has been wowing fans from a young age on both the big and small screen. Oh, and did we mention the pint-sized starlet can sing too?



© AP Photo/Phil McCarten
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Selena Gomez

Age: 15

Starring Role: Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, Disney Channel movie Princess Protection Program

Background: Barney and Friends

Lest wizards weren't enough, the multitalented teen is about to add princesses to her résumé. She'll appear alongside Disney's it-girl-to-be and former Barney & Friends cast mate Demi Lovato in the network's upcoming flick, Princess Protection Program. Listen up, tweens, make sure those DVRs are set.



© Scott Gries/Getty Images
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Nat and Alex Wolff

Age: 13, 10

Starring Role: Nickelodeon's The Naked Brothers Band

Background: Writing/making music since young age

The cameras may be rolling, but there's nothing staged about the boys' musical prowess. The tween-friendly duo started honing that talent at a very early age, launching their band when they were still in preschool. Given the fan support for their 2005 film, the Nickelodeon follow-up seemed a no-brainer. And the rest, well, that's rock star history.



© Dave Hogan/Getty Images
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Jonas Brothers (Kevin, Joe and Nick)

Age: 20, 18, 15

Starring Role: Disney Channel series J.O.N.A.S! and Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream, Disney Channel movie Camp Rock

Background: Chart-topping albums, concert tour, Hannah Montana cameo

If there are screaming (and drooling) fans, chances are, the Jonas Brothers are not far behind. Good news: The next couple of months will give the groupies lots more to yelp about. The New Jersey-born brothers have a reality series, a scripted series, a flick, a third album and a 38-city North American tour on the way.



© Mark Davis/Getty Images
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Chelsea Staub

Age: 19

Starring Role: J.O.N.A.S!, Camp Rock

Background: Broadway, Waverly Place cameo

Broadway has opened doors for the teenage talent, but Disney is banking on the uber-popular Jonas Brothers to open lots more. Nineteen-year-old Staub will appear alongside the New Jersey-born brothers in both the High School Musical-esque Disney Channel movie Camp Rock and the upcoming original series J.O.N.A.S!



© Charley Gallay/Getty Images
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Emily Osment

Age: 16

Starring Role: Dadnapped (premiering in the 2008-09 season)

Background: Commercials, roles in Spy Kids and Hannah Montana, sister of The Sixth Sense's Haley Joel

Osment's big brother isn't the only family member garnering fame. As Miley Cyrus' sidekick in Disney's hit show Hannah Montana, the 16-year-old is doing just fine with both her résumé and fan club. Next up: a flick of her own. That's right, this second banana is set to star in the kid-friendly network's upcoming movie, Dadnapped.



© Disney Channel/Bob D'Amico
The Next Hannah Montana

From High School Musical to Miley Cyrus, we go inside Disney's hit-making machine.

Jason Dolley

Age: 16

Starring Role: Corey in the House, Disney Channel movie Hatching Pete (premiering in the 2008-09 season)

Background: ABC's Complete Savages, Disney Channel movie Minutemen

Dolley has Mel Gibson to thank for his rising-star status. After all, it was the Braveheart star who cast him in his ABC comedy Complete Savages. While short-lived, the show earned Dolley plenty of accolades--and fans. Disney is clearly among the latter: In addition to a show and a made-for-TV movie already on Disney airwaves, the mouse house will serve up another starring role for the teen talent with the upcoming film Hatching Pete.