Shia Labeouf Gets Called Out by Demi Lovato After Raven-Symoné Includes Him on Disney Mount Rushmore

Demi Lovato recently weighed in on a growing debate regarding which icons deserve a spot on the metaphorical Mount Rushmore of Disney Channel history. The discussion began when Raven-Symoné shared her personal selections during a media appearance on March 10, prioritizing stars who established the network’s foundation.

Raven’s list included herself alongside Hilary Duff and Shia LaBeouf, though she notably excluded Miley Cyrus, citing a difference in timing. “No, not Miley. I love you, Miley, but not Miley. She came after,” Raven remarked while defending her specific era of programming.

The actress also took a moment to honor the late Lee Thompson Young, who headlined The Famous Jett Jackson and broke significant barriers for the network. “He is no longer with us, but he was the first Black show on Disney,” Raven noted, highlighting his tenure from 1998 to 2001 before his passing in 2013.

Appearing on the Chicks in the Office podcast this past Wednesday, March 18, Lovato offered a more expansive view of the network’s legacy. While she understood Raven’s logic, she questioned whether the lineage should actually begin with the variety show stars of the early nineties.

Lovato mused about whether the pop legends who started on the variety circuit should be the primary consideration for the top spots. “You know, there was Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Does that come first? Does that count? But, maybe not,” the Sonny with a Chance star wondered.

She eventually concluded that there is a difference between being on the network and actually building the brand identity fans recognize today. “They [Mickey Mouse Club members] were on Disney, but they didn’t transform Disney Channel into what it is,” Lovato explained during the episode.

In her estimation, the true architects of the modern Disney Channel experience were the leads of the early 2000s sitcoms. “I think Raven really did, Hilary really did that,” she said, giving credit to the women who defined the channel’s most successful formula.

When the conversation turned to Raven’s inclusion of Even Stevens, lead Shia LaBeouf, Lovato’s reaction was notably more reserved. “I’m okay on that one,” she responded succinctly, choosing not to elaborate further on the controversial actor’s inclusion in the hall of fame.

Ultimately, Lovato argued that the network has evolved through too many distinct phases to be limited to just four definitive faces. She suggested that the pioneers should be viewed as a separate category because of the work they did to enable future successes.

“They came before us, you know what I mean? They paved the way,” she told the podcast hosts while reflecting on the chronological shifts of stardom. This perspective allowed her to propose a secondary lineup that represented her own prolific era of Disney entertainment.

Lovato’s personal Mount Rushmore for the following generation would feature the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and Selena Gomez. She also expressed a modest hope for her own inclusion in that group, noting “hopefully me” when rounding out the influential quartet of her time.

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