Rivalries, Race and the 'Too Sexual' Jonas Brothers: The Biggest Bombshells From “Disney High”

Go behind-the-scenes with stars like Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Brenda Song, Jesse McCartney and the Jonas Brothers, just to name a few

Ever wondered what was happening behind the scenes of your beloved Disney Channel shows?

Culture journalist Ashley Spencer's book, Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire, is here to pull back the curtain on Even Stevens, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, That's So Raven and High School Musical, just to name a few.

Disney Channel started as just another branch of the Walt Disney Company. After seeing how big the Mickey Mouse Club talent got after they let them go, however, the television network figured out the best way to create the same level of star power with their shows and movies.

Eventually, it became a powerhouse, creating family-friendly content and turning stars like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers into household names. Spencer's book breaks down the network's development and rise, along with what was really happening behind closed doors.

Here are the biggest bombshells from Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire.

Henry Winkler Was The Executive Producer on This Disney Channel Original Series

Actor Henry Winkler, known for Happy Days and Barry served as the executive producer on the Disney Channel Original Series So Weird. The show was like a kids' version of The X Files, but made sure the program "didn't talk down" to its younger audience.

After losing — and then finding — his "treasured ID bracelet" in Central Park, Winkler, 78, grew fascinated with the occult, which inspired him to be part of the series. He believed he found his bracelet thanks to a "higher power" and had always "believed since I was that age that I will be in the vicinity when aliens land on the earth, and they will be friendly."

Shia LaBeouf and Christy Carlson Romano Had a Sibling Rivalry On- and Off-Screen in Even Stevens

Christy Carlson Romano and Shia LaBeouf had a "fraught" relationship that lent itself well to their roles as Ren and Louis Stevens on Even Stevens. An early storyline from the show involving Romano, 40, being "pelted with tomatoes" established their off-screen rivalry.

"[LaBeouf] was always giving her a hard time and complaining about her off camera, which she put up with because she felt it made the on-camera rivalry more realistic," producer Dennis Rinsler said.

Lizzie McGuire stars Hilary Duff and Lalaine Were Real-Life Friends — Until They Weren't

Even though they were BFFs onscreen, Hilary Duff and Lalaine had a falling out three-quarters of the way through Lizzie McGuire that never got resolved. While Duff's music career began to ascend, she never got to sing on the show like Lalaine, 37, did in season 1. Meanwhile, Duff, 36, had more work to do for the show and Lalaine was able to bond with other actors in between takes.

The drama was typical for teenage girls, but their careers and the politics of show business made things more complicated. Lalaine was released from her contract six episodes early, as a result.

That's So Raven Writers' Room Was Described As "Starkly White"

DespiteThat's So Raven focusing on a Black family with a principal cast of mostly Black actors, the "showrunners and top-billed creatives remained starkly white," with no Black writers in the writers' room. Writer Michael Poryes said he regretted this, in retrospect. "I think that was a mistake on my part," he said, recalling that "none" of the writing candidates suggested to him were Black.

Zac Efron Was Supposed To Be In The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Pilot

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody almost had Zac Efron star in the show as the twins' older brother. Unfortunately, things didn't pan out — but Efron, 36, would soon land on his feet in a little movie called High School Musical.

Related: 'High School Musical' Cast: Where Are They Now?

Disney Wasn't Thrilled when Brenda Song Took a Role in The Social Network

Brenda Song, who played the ditzy hotel heiress in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody auditioned for a role in the PG-13 The Social Network, which saw her character hooking up with Andrew Garfield in a bathroom stall.

Suite Life creative consultant Billy Riback said that she wasn't asking for permission, just for the network's blessing. Though Disney Channel pushed back, Song, 36, still did the movie.

Related: The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Cast: Where Are They Now?

Jesse McCartney Turned Down High School Musical

Ahead of the auditions for High School Musical, Jesse McCartney had been offered the lead role of Troy Bolton, but he didn't want to be seen as a "Disney Star," so he said no. McCartney, 37, had also been offered a role as the lead in Camp Rock but again declined.

How the Larry David's Hannah Montana Cameo Came To Be

Larry David's Hannah Montana cameo was one of the many star-studded appearances from the series. David, 77, called up the producers to get him and his daughters Cazzie and Romy audience tickets for an episode's taping.

He was then contacted by producers for a small role on the show when the president of Disney Channel entertainment was unable to make it. The Curb Your Enthusiasm creator rearranged his shooting schedule so he and his daughters could appear as disgruntled restaurant guests.

The Jonas Brothers' Dad Kevin Sr. Was Worried About The Band Being Perceived As 'Too Sexual'

Kevin Jonas Sr. expressed some concerns about his sons' image early on in their careers as their fandom rapidly grew. Kevin, Joe and Nick had been soaked by water and foam guns in their concert movie, which was an issue with Kevin Sr. who was a pastor in their hometown at the time.

Their fitted shirts would become see-through, a tour photographer recalled. "Their team would be like, 'no you have to crop it. No nipples.' Anything that was too sexy was out."

Demi Lovato Was Obsessed With Kelly Clarkson and Made Her Email Address About The American Idol Star

Demi Lovato was such a big fan of American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson that she dedicated her email address to her. After watching her win the 2002 season of the singing competition, she made her email "littlekelly" and dreamed about becoming famous like her.

Demi Lovato's Mental Health Struggles Were Allegedly Made Known To Executives as Early as 2006

Before opening up about her eating disorder in 2010, Lovato's condition was "allegedly made known to at least some network executives" in 2006, according to Disney High. While filming Sonny With A Chance, Lovato, 32, struggled with self-harm and substance abuse along with her eating disorder, along with her "oppressive schedule and imbalance of passion."

Meanwhile, Lovato's mother Dianna, had "long avoided confronting" her daughter's eating disorder.

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Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire is available now, wherever books are sold.

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