The Disney Channel has long been a proving ground for young actors, and plenty of toothy, fresh-faced superstars have emerged from this cable stalwart. But working for the House Of Mouse may not always have been as fun or glamorous as it looked, as evidenced by the darkly funny outtakes being posted by Twitter user @hollylikeablvd. In these clips, such Disney troupers as Raven-Symoné, Hilary Duff, America Ferrera, Tia and Tamera Mowry, and more are shown filming promos and bumpers in front of a blank white backdrop. Generally, this involves saying something like “Hi! I’m [name] from [title of show], and you’re watching Disney Channel!” while waving a green plastic wand in the air. It should be simple, but the director always seems to want just “one more” take. It’s the kind of thing that can really grind a person’s soul into a fine powder. Observe what happens to the star of That’s So Raven:
The pitiable Duff, meanwhile, seems about four seconds away from a meltdown while promoting Lizzie McGuire and Cadet Kelly. This actually gets a little uncomfortable to watch, but the actor keeps it together because she’s a consummate professional.
Before Ugly Betty or Superstore, Ferrera was in the 2002 made-for-TV movie Gotta Kick It Up! And that meant paying her horrible dues to Disney beneath the hot lights of this milk-hued abyss:
But the most cringe-inducing footage of all might be of Steven Anthony Lawrence, forever destined to be remembered as “Beans” on Even Stevens. This is the very essence of adolescent gracelessness.