Remember the good old days of Disney Channel?

Whenever I stumble upon a show from my childhood, I can’t help but remember how much I looked up to these teen stars; whether they were being a normal teenager by day and a pop star by night, or trying to help their friends with their visions of the future, these characters were always, in the end, trying to be the wholesome individuals that were scripted for them. Fans of these shows not only looked up to the characters on screen, but also glorified the actors in the real world, and the pressure for actors and actresses to uphold their on-screen, respected images evidently had a negative effect on who they are today.

Miley Cyrus is a prime example of a Disney child star gone crazy. Sure, she may just be “being herself,” but she’s definitely reached her goal of not being seen as a little girl anymore. Hannah Montana used to go on tour with sparkly dresses and a blonde wig; now Miley goes on tour with dancing teddy bears and “twerking” galore. By shedding the image of the blonde hair teen singer, she simultaneously discarded the morals that must be upheld to be a teen role model. Her new image, although a bit promiscuous, is not any different from the celebrities of today; but when compared to the old Miley, her new persona starkly contrasts the old one. Honestly, she may have taken the “growing out of Disney” phase a little bit too far.

The Amanda Show was the Saturday Night Live for eight year olds, and more of us than we admit can probably still sing the theme song. But Amanda Bynes isn’t making hillbilly skits with Drake Bell anymore; actually, she’s taking selfies in her rehab room mirror. Amanda’s downhill ride has been a shock to everyone. Ironically, in her last movie, “Easy A”, she played a minister’s daughter with a deep love of God and an intense hatred for all who displayed corruption and vulgarity. Well, look at her now. With a DUI, multiple hit-and-run charges, and several rehab stints under her belt, she couldn’t be farther from the energetic teenage actress I used to watch on Nickelodeon.

The hero of middle school girls, Justin Bieber has not only caused $20,000 worth of egg-throwing damage to a neighbor’s house and been busted for cocaine all in the past week, but early Thursday morning in Miami he was arrested for DUI, driving with an expired license, speeding, resisting arrest, and drag racing. His ‘Beliebers’ have supported him through thick and thin with the excuse, “He’s only 19 and he’s allowed to make mistakes.” But is it just a teenage mistake to put other people’s lives in danger? No, and putting that together with the obnoxious attitude, drugs, and drinking, it is evident that Bieber’s illustrious side-swept coiffure and notorious high voice have been replaced with a new Bieber, who no longer can be looked at in a positive light.

Lindsay Lohan is another teen idol that spiraled into infamy. Her movies made me wish for an identical twin, a talking car, and the “Freaky Friday” experience. So when she started drinking, doing drugs, and landing herself in jail more times than the amount of movies she’s made, I started to realize that almost every movie and television star I had ever looked up to came crashing down in a DUI ridden heap.

Was it me? Was I sending unintentional telepathic messages to them that told them to go crazy? Maybe, but the more likely explanation is that growing up as a child in the spotlight probably made these stars want to rebel against the image that was created for them by Hollywood. As they succumbed to the pressure of being a role model to teens around the world, they brought their fans with them on a roller coaster of growing up into the stars we know today. Although we looked up to them for their roles on T.V and not for their headline-making actions, we are all a bit reluctant to shed our respect and idolization of them because of their attachment to the characters we know and love. So, as Miley said herself, Hannah Montana is dead, and the teen role models we so adored are gone as well.