Disney is seeking to rebuild its reputation as a creator of young stars by identifying and developing performers who can succeed across acting, music and audience engagement. The strategy matters because the company sees its youth programming as a long-term talent pipeline, following earlier Disney alumni such as Zendaya, Selena Gomez, Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter.

Kids & Family president Ayo Davis made building the next generation of Disney stars a priority when live-action executive Charlie Andrews and casting chief Brenda Kelly Grant began working together five years ago. Disney now searches globally and across platforms for talent, highlighting performers including Malachi Barton, Kylie Cantrall, Liamani Segura and Leah Jeffries, and aims to retain them as they pursue larger opportunities through franchises and forthcoming projects such as “Coven Academy”.