Highlights

Campus News

LC, ADF file lawsuit to challenge Obama Administration health mandate

Cited as an attack on religious freedom

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College students ‘Reawaken’ at CEC 2012

College Evangelism Conference held at FBC Pineville

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LC hoops teams close out ASC season with sweep of MC

Conference tournaments up next for LC men and women

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LC athletes learn dangers of PEDs

Hooton Foundation working to educate

Campus Life

What’s your glass measurement?

The power of positive thinking in your college career

Culture

All the Shakespeare you could laugh at… and more!

tlc's adaptation of 'Shakespeare Abridged' pulls out all the stops

Special Coverage

LC brings another successful ‘Follow the Star’

'Christmas on the Hill' and 'Gala' add to festive weekend

Growing up in a new direction

by Melody Mutch

Disney stars producing news sounds - but is that a good thing?

Headlining tours, movies, T.V. series, and instant fame; just a few of the many perks that come with being a Disney channel star. But, do the trappings of success hold back Disney stars from being the performers they want to be? As Disney stars grow up, they tend to break out of their “Disney image.”

Many Disney stars have found themselves in scandals that resulted because of a choice they made to try to make themselves appear more mature.

Disney stars understand that the audience that once followed them when they were at the peak of their careers is now growing up. They know that they have to grow up with them, and if they want to stay in the limelight, they need to sing about what people their age enjoy listening to.

LC junior, Joseph Buzzetta thinks that the tactic these stars are taking is smart and will eventually work the way they want it to.

“A high school student has more money to buy music,” Buzzetta said. “Plus in terms of networking they can advertise to an older audience.”

Disney icon, Miley Cyrus, 18, has been transforming her Disney identity for years and has recently assumed a more seductive image in her stardom. Cyrus’ newest album had the chart topping single “Can’t Be Tamed,” which was doubled with a scandalous music video that left parent groups up in arms.

More recently though Disney pop band Allstar Weekend has been the latest controversy in the music industry. Allstar Weekend consists of three members, all of whom are in their early twenties.

In their recent single, “Not Your Birthday,” the band used two words that are not commonly found in a Disney-friendly song. The words sent parents groups into an outrage, especially since the song was used in Disney blockbuster, “Prom,” although an edited version was used for the movie.

Allstar Weekend recently released a new album, “All the Way,” in which they completely changed their image and sound. Singing about more mature topics that are commonly found in secular music, it is apparent that Allstar Weekend wants to be taken more seriously as a band.

“It seems like Disney channel stars want to sell sex more than they want to sell good morals and it’s not going to get them anywhere,” said LC sophomore, Jessica Jacobe.

“Camp Rock” superstar Demi Lovato, 19, was headlining teen gossip magazines a year ago as she checked herself into a rehabilitation facility for self infliction and bulimia. After being released in January, Lovato is just now getting back on her feet.

Lovato just released a new album called “Unbroken” and her album has a whole new sound to it. Not only does “Unbroken” have a more hip-hop feel to it, but she did duets with some not so Disney-friendly artists.

Jason Derulo, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Dev, and Iyaz are some of the artists to be featured on this revolutionary album.

While trying to redefine her image in the music industry, Lovato’s album has debuted in the number one spot as the most downloaded album of the week in the first week it was on sale, according to billboard.com.

Lovato also just released dates for the “A Special Night with Demi Lovato” tour. Next to the list of cities that she will be visiting on her website, there is a picture of Lovato that depicts the image she wants to now embrace.

“Disney stars try way too hard to be bad or try way too hard to be good when they are bad,” said LC freshman and music enthusiast, Joshua Mesman. “They need to make more personal songs; maybe about divorce, drug addiction, etc. which I absolutely admire about Demi.”

Member of Disney trio, Jonas Brothers, Joe Jonas, 21, has also begun to break his Disney mold. Producing a solo album, “Fastlife,” Jonas has evolved as well. Recently pairing with rapper Lil’ Wayne, Jonas made a remix of his single “Just in Love.”

Jonas’ album was released at midnight on Oct. 11 and within a matter of hours it debuted in the 10 top selling albums on the iTunes charts.

Allstar Weekend, Cyrus, Lovato, and Jonas all seem to have the same idea; sing about more risqué and mature topics that will target the people that are their age, the people that are now in college and listening to more mainstream music.

But is that that trick? Will this throw any Disney star into insta-adult-fame?

Even though freshman, Hollie Hubbard doesn’t necessarily agree with the approach, she does think it will eventually be beneficial to the singers in the future.

“I think they will get more popular but I don’t agree with putting fame & fortune above their morals,” Hubbard says.

But regardless of what anyone thinks only time will tell. Because their audience has grown up, these Disney stars have had to grow up with them. Following in the footsteps of the Disney stars before them, such as Brittney Spears and Justin Timberlake, today’s Disney Channel stars are trying to take the next step in a way that pushes the envelope between what is acceptable for a Disney star and what is not.

Ultimately, the fate of the careers of these Disney stars lies solely in the audience that they developed with - you.

Watch Demi Lovato's video "A Letter to My Fans" here:


Watch Joe Jonas' "The Road to Fastlife" here:

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