From Disney Dancers To Hollywood A-List: The Shocking Career Paths Of The 'Shake It Up' Cast Today

The Disney Channel series Shake It Up, which ran from 2010 to 2013, launched the careers of two of Hollywood’s most powerful young women, but what about the rest of the cast? As of late 2025, the stars who once danced on the fictional show Shake It Up Chicago have taken career paths so wildly different—from blockbuster movie royalty to Washington D.C. political aide and even a surprising shift into the medical field—that their collective journey is one of the most intriguing stories in television history.

This in-depth look explores the current status of the entire main cast, detailing their latest projects, surprising career pivots, and how they’ve built topical authority in completely new professional niches, proving that life after Disney is anything but predictable.

The Main Cast: From Teen Dancers to Global Icons and Beyond

The original ensemble of Shake It Up featured seven core actors who portrayed the ambitious friends and rivals in Chicago's teen dance scene. Here is a complete biographical profile of the main cast and their roles on the show:

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• Zendaya (Rocky Blue): Born September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Rocky Blue was the academic, rule-following, and highly talented half of the show's central dancing duo.
• Bella Thorne (CeCe Jones): Born October 8, 1997, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. CeCe Jones was Rocky's impulsive, dyslexic, and street-smart best friend, driven by a desire for fame.
• Davis Cleveland (Flynn Jones): Born February 5, 2002, in Houston, Texas. Flynn was CeCe's younger, eccentric brother, known for his love of bacon and his surprising maturity.
• Roshon Fegan (Ty Blue): Born October 6, 1991, in Los Angeles, California. Ty was Rocky's older brother, a smooth-talking dancer and aspiring rapper.
• Adam Irigoyen (Deuce Martinez): Born August 5, 1997, in Miami, Florida. Deuce was CeCe and Rocky's street-smart, entrepreneurial friend, often seen selling various items from inside his jacket.
• Kenton Duty (Gunther Hessenheffer): Born May 12, 1995, in Plano, Texas. Gunther was half of the flamboyant, rival European exchange student duo, known for his unique fashion and catchphrases. (Seasons 1-2)
• Caroline Sunshine (Tinka Hessenheffer): Born September 5, 1995, in Atlanta, Georgia. Tinka was Gunther's equally flamboyant twin sister and partner in rivalry.

Zendaya and Bella Thorne: Dominating the Hollywood A-List

The career trajectories of the two leading ladies have been nothing short of meteoric, firmly establishing them as Hollywood A-list stars. Both have masterfully shed their Disney Channel personas to take on complex, adult roles, creating massive topical authority in the film industry.

Zendaya: The Global Blockbuster Queen

Zendaya's career has exploded, moving from her Emmy-winning role as Rue Bennett in the HBO drama Euphoria to becoming a global box office powerhouse. Her work in late 2025 and 2026 solidifies her status as one of the most sought-after actresses today.

• Major Franchise Success: She continues her role as Chani in the critically acclaimed sci-fi franchise, with Dune 3 (or *Dune Messiah*) highly anticipated, following the massive success of its predecessors.
• Upcoming Projects: She is attached to several high-profile films, including the buzzy A24 film The Drama and the ambitious The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, scheduled for a 2026 release.
• Topical Authority: Her brand is now synonymous with high fashion, prestige television, and billion-dollar box office franchises, a true testament to a successful career transition from teen star.

Bella Thorne: Indie Films, Thrillers, and Directing

Bella Thorne has forged a distinct path, focusing heavily on independent films, thrillers, and a surprising move into directing. She has embraced a more controversial and adult image, which has defined her post-Disney career and social media presence.

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• Recent Thriller Roles: Thorne is starring in the upcoming thriller film Bunny-Man (2025), directed by Alessandra Starr Ward, showcasing her preference for edgier content outside the mainstream studio system.
• Horror Film Presence: She is also set to appear in the 2025 film Saint Clare, a horror feature based on the popular series of novels, co-starring Rebecca De Mornay.
• Multi-Hyphenate Status: Beyond acting, Thorne has pursued music and has been involved in directing, including an award-winning short film, carving out a niche as a genuine multi-hyphenate artist.

The Shocking Career Pivots: From Disney to Politics and Dentistry

While Zendaya and Bella Thorne stayed in the entertainment spotlight, two other main cast members made dramatic, almost unbelievable, career changes, demonstrating that the Disney experience can be a springboard to any field, no matter how unrelated.

Caroline Sunshine (Tinka Hessenheffer): The White House Political Aide

Caroline Sunshine’s career transition is arguably the most shocking of the entire cast. She completely left Hollywood to pursue a career in politics, a move that generated significant media attention.

• Political Career: Sunshine began working in the political sphere, gaining experience through internships before eventually securing a role as a White House staffer during the Trump Administration in 2018.
• Current Focus: Her focus remains firmly outside of acting, concentrating on political communications and policy. This move makes her a rare example of a former Disney star shifting from the entertainment industry to high-level government work, building topical authority in the Washington D.C. political landscape.

Davis Cleveland (Flynn Jones): The Dental Professional

Davis Cleveland, who played the beloved younger brother Flynn Jones, has made a profound and unexpected career shift away from the camera. Unlike his former co-stars, Cleveland has chosen a path in the medical field.

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• The Dentist Career: Multiple recent sources indicate that Davis Richard Cleveland is now an American dentist and former actor. He began attending the Texas A&M University School of Dentistry around 2021, a definitive pivot from his child acting days.
• Life After Hollywood: This decision to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree is a clear indication that his professional focus is now on healthcare, making him one of the few former Disney stars to completely abandon acting for a highly specialized, non-entertainment profession.

The Multi-Talented Cast: Music, Streaming, and New Media

The remaining male cast members have continued to pursue careers in the creative arts, leveraging their natural talents in music, dancing, and acting to navigate the competitive post-Disney landscape, often embracing new media platforms like Twitch.

Roshon Fegan (Ty Blue): Rapper, Musician, and Streamer

Roshon Fegan, who played the smooth-dancing Ty Blue, has successfully transitioned into a full-time multi-hyphenate, focusing heavily on his music career while also staying active in acting and new media.

• Music Focus: Known mononymously as Roshon, he is an active rapper, singer, and music producer. He has continued to write and produce his own music, working with major industry figures.
• Acting Roles: He has taken on biographical roles, notably playing Bobby DeBarge in the TV One biopic, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
• New Media Presence: Roshon actively engages with fans through Twitch streams and other digital platforms, keeping his presence current and relevant to a modern, streaming-focused audience.

Adam Irigoyen (Deuce Martinez): Transitioning to Leading Man

Adam Irigoyen, the actor behind the resourceful Deuce Martinez, has been steadily building his resume with adult roles, aiming to make the seamless transition from Disney Channel star to a Hollywood leading man.

• Post-Disney Roles: He secured a significant role in the Netflix sci-fi drama series Away, where he played Isaac Rodriguez alongside Hilary Swank.
• Current Status: While major 2025 projects are under wraps, Irigoyen continues to work in television and film, building on his dramatic acting experience in series like *The Last Ship*. His career is focused on proving his range beyond comedic teen roles.

Kenton Duty (Gunther Hessenheffer): Indie Film and Advocacy

Kenton Duty, the flamboyant Gunther, has focused his post-Disney career on a combination of independent film work, music, and charitable endeavors, maintaining a quieter profile than his former co-stars.

• Creative Pursuits: Duty is a singer and dancer in addition to acting, having appeared in a variety of films and the web series *Ctrl*.
• Advocacy Work: He is actively involved in charitable causes, particularly those related to autism awareness, using his platform to support philanthropic organizations. His career reflects a balance between creative projects and personal advocacy.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the Shake It Up Cast

The journey of the Shake It Up cast is a fascinating study in career diversification and reinvention. From Zendaya and Bella Thorne setting the pace as Hollywood’s most bankable young stars in late 2025, to the astonishing pivots made by Caroline Sunshine into politics and Davis Cleveland into dentistry, the ensemble has proven that the Disney Channel is merely a starting point. Their collective success—whether on a movie set, in the White House, or in a dental school in Texas—ensures the legacy of the show's actors will be defined by their surprising, unique, and highly successful adult careers.