Today is the day to celebrate over half of the world’s population – Happy International Women’s Day! Last year to celebrate Women’s History Month, we ranked the Disney Princesses. This time around, we’re here to celebrate the women of Disney Channel. Since the channel first started producing its own original television shows, young girls and women have been at the forefront. From Lizzie McGuire to Andi Mack, there is a Disney Channel heroine for every generation to look up to.
One of those heroines is getting another chance at the spotlight, with the recent debut of “The Proud Family” revival, “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder”. Penny Proud is back and ready to cause all kinds of teenage chaos that gets her dad running frantically. Penny is one of many Disney Channel heroines that has left a mark on millions of girls and boys across the globe, and today we’re going to celebrate them!
For the sake of simplicity, this list doesn’t include characters from Disney Channel Original Movies or Walt Disney Animation Studios Characters that got their own television show like Rapunzel and Lilo. This list highlights original Disney Channel TV show creations only.
Honourable Mentions
Rocky Blue: IT’S ZENDAYA! That’s plenty of reason enough to honour the Princess of Hollywood and her first major TV role.
Sonny Munroe: Before Demi Lovato became an international pop star, they played adorkable Sonny, a girl with a dream and a positive attitude that changed the tween TV scene forever.
Ren Stevens: An OG Disney Channel character, Ren was the prototypical A-plus golden child who had to put up with her annoying brother Louis. She was the only normal one in the family, and we love her for that.
Riley Matthews: The daughter of Cory and Topanga is weirder than we could have ever imagined, and that’s why she’s the best. No one can brighten up a room and make you cry all in the same second quite like Riley.
Andi Mack: Andi has to deal with a lot of family drama, but does it with such fierceness, it’s easy to root for her on her journey of self-discovery.
11. Jessie Prescott
It feels like a party every day with the one and only Jessie Prescott! One of very few Disney Channel shows to follow the life of a young adult rather than a teen, Jessie has big dreams and isn’t afraid to fail (many, many times) to achieve them. She’s loyal, caring and isn’t afraid to fight for those she loves. She set the expectation for nannies everywhere, and it’s almost impossible to fill her Texas-sized shoes.
10. Candace Flynn
Everyone’s favourite tattle tale, Candace was undoubtedly born to go into law enforcement. Ready to bust her brothers at any moment, Candace seems like an antagonist to her brothers most days, but throughout the course of “Phineas and Ferb” we’ve seen her soft spot for them. Neurotic and overanalytical about every decision she makes, Candace is the older sister that is annoying but also loved by everyone.
9. Ally Dawson
A musical genius in every sense, Ally is the friend every person should want. She’s trustworthy, loyal, smart, incredibly talented but still manages to never dim her friends’ shine. She may be shy and dorky at first glance, but Ally’s journey to self-confidence leads her to become a megastar singer-songwriter. Her tastes and hobbies are unconventional, but she’s just doing things the Ally way.
8. London Tipton/Maddie Fitzpatrick
London and Maddie are the BFF duo that should not work in any way but somehow do, and asking to split them up in this ranking is just plain rude. London is the rich airhead with a heart of gold (most of the time) and Maddie is the hardworking lower-middle-class high school student with big dreams and an even bigger brain. They balance each other’s wackiness and are the Tipton’s ultimate girl power duo.
7. Ashley Spinelli/Gretchen Grundler
Just like Maddie and London, it’s impossible to split this girl duo from the “Recess” squad up. They are complete opposites but are the backbone of the group, and it’s evident whenever they aren’t around that the boys don’t know how to properly function without them. Spinelli is the muscle and Gretchen is the brains. Together, they embody the best of what Third Street Elementary has to offer.
6. Penny Proud
Penny is a typical teenage girl in every sense. She’s boy crazy, loves her family but is also equally embarrassed by them. Despite her dad’s objections, Penny is a natural born leader and is willing to get herself into trouble if the cause requires it. During a time when there were very few Black female leads for young girls to look up to, Penny Proud stood above and beyond as an independent girl, ready to take on the world.
5. Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart
Normal high school girl by day, mega pop star at night. Miley Stewart embodies what living the dream means, especially for most teenagers. Despite the fame she receives from being Hannah Montana, Miley usually manages to stay grounded, be supportive of her friends and family and have crushes on cute boys. Does she find herself in the occasional scheme? Sure, but doesn’t every teenage popstar?
4. Raven Baxter
She can gaze into the future, but life certainly isn’t a breeze for Raven Baxter. The strong and confident psychic teenager always has the best intentions but more often than not, gets her into deep trouble. She’s bossy and boy crazy, but has a heart so big, she’s literally willing to do anything for her friends and family. All these years later, Raven is a parent to her own psychic son and trouble still manages to find her from time to time.
3. Lizzie McGuire
Junior high is rough, and Lizzie McGuire embodies just how difficult it can be for a shy and clumsy preteen with insecurities so big, a cartoon alter ego is the only way to express her true feelings. Although she dreams of popularity, she is never willing to change who she is to be that, and is devoted to her friends and family, even with all the headaches they cause her.
2. Alex Russo
Alex Russo (just like her portrayer Selena Gomez) is the ultimate Queen! Unlike most Disney Channel heroines, Alex isn’t a straight A, good girl. In fact, she barely attends class and uses her charm and wit to get by. She’s lazy and causes trouble at every turn. Even when she does a selfish act, she always ends up being there for her friends and family. You won’t find a Disney Channel character that makes you LOL quite like Alex.
1. Kim Possible
The definition of a superhero, Kim Possible fights crime and goes on out of this world adventures, while balancing cheerleading practice and getting straight As in school. It may seem like she can do it all, but just like all teens, Kim finds herself in a lot of sticky situations. Thankfully, with the help (sometimes hindrance) of her friend Ron, Kim is able to solve any sitch she’s in.
Which Disney Channel TV heroine is your absolute favourite? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. Also, make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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