From Disney Dancers To Blockbuster Stars And White House Aides: Where Are The Actors From Shake It Up Now?

The Disney Channel series Shake It Up, which premiered in 2010, was a cultural phenomenon that launched the careers of two of Hollywood's biggest contemporary stars, Zendaya and Bella Thorne. The show followed best friends CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue as they navigated the world of professional dancing on a local Chicago show. Now, over a decade after the series finale, the cast has scattered across the entertainment industry, politics, and even into surprising new professions, making their post-Disney trajectories some of the most fascinating in pop culture today.

As of December 2025, the former cast members are making headlines for everything from blockbuster film roles and feature film directing debuts to high-profile political positions and major career shifts. This deep dive explores the current, up-to-the-minute status of the core Shake It Up cast, revealing the dramatic and unexpected paths they have taken since leaving the world of "Shake It Up, Chicago!"

The Core Shake It Up Cast: Biographies and Current Status (December 2025)

The Disney Channel series ran for three seasons, from 2010 to 2013, creating a dedicated fanbase and launching the careers of several young actors. Here is a look at the main cast members, their character roles, and their latest career updates as of late 2025.

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• Zendaya (Rocky Blue): Born September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. The studious and responsible half of the dancing duo.
• Bella Thorne (CeCe Jones): Born October 8, 1997, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The impulsive and ambitious best friend of Rocky.
• Davis Cleveland (Flynn Jones): Born February 5, 2002, in Walled Lake, Michigan. CeCe's younger brother, known for his witty remarks and love of bacon.
• Roshon Fegan (Ty Blue): Born October 6, 1991, in Los Angeles, California. Rocky's older brother and a talented dancer/DJ.
• Adam Irigoyen (Deuce Martinez): Born August 5, 1997, in Miami, Florida. CeCe and Rocky's street-smart friend, known for selling various items out of his jacket.
• Caroline Sunshine (Tinka Hessenheffer): Born September 5, 1995, in Atlanta, Georgia. A foreign exchange student and rival dancer with an eccentric fashion sense.
• Kenton Duty (Gunther Hessenheffer): Born May 12, 1995, in Plano, Texas. Tinka's flamboyant twin brother and dance partner (left after Season 2).

Zendaya and Bella Thorne: The Blockbuster Star vs. The Bold Entrepreneur

The two leading ladies of Shake It Up have carved out wildly different, yet equally successful, career paths, often drawing comparisons from fans and media alike. Their trajectories perfectly encapsulate the diverse possibilities for child stars in the modern era.

Zendaya: The A-List Powerhouse

Zendaya’s post-Disney career has been a masterclass in strategic role selection, transitioning her from a Disney dancer to one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and critically acclaimed actresses. Her filmography now boasts a string of global blockbusters and award-winning dramas.

In the current landscape of 2025, Zendaya is firmly established as a cinematic force. While many of her major projects are slated for 2026, her current work is focused on preparing for these massive releases, demonstrating her unparalleled star power.

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• Blockbuster Franchises: She is set to reprise her role as Chani in Dune: Part Three, continuing her work in the highly successful sci-fi epic. She is also expected to return as MJ in the fourth installment of the Spider-Man franchise, solidifying her place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Critical Drama: The highly anticipated third season of her Emmy-winning HBO series Euphoria is currently in development. Furthermore, a new A24 film, The Drama, is on her slate, proving her continued commitment to working with esteemed independent studios and directors.
• Fashion Icon: Beyond acting, Zendaya remains a dominant force in high fashion, often making headlines for her stunning red-carpet looks and collaborations with luxury brands, maintaining her status as a global style icon.

Bella Thorne: Directing, Entrepreneurship, and Independent Film

Bella Thorne, who played the sassy CeCe Jones, has taken a path defined by bold, unconventional choices and entrepreneurial ventures. She has consciously moved away from the Disney image, embracing edgier, independent projects.

Her current focus in 2025 is multifaceted. She continues to star in a variety of films, including the upcoming thriller Find Your Friends, which is set in Joshua Tree. More significantly, Thorne is transitioning behind the camera, with plans to direct her first feature-length film. This move is a natural progression from her previous, high-profile directorial debut with the adult film Her & Him, showcasing her commitment to creative control and exploring diverse genres.

Thorne’s career also heavily leans into the digital and business world. Her ventures have included writing books, releasing music, and launching an OnlyFans account, which notably broke platform records upon its launch, demonstrating her savvy as a media entrepreneur. Her willingness to take risks and challenge industry norms has made her a compelling figure in the entertainment world.

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The Shocking Career Shifts: From Child Star to White House & Dentistry

While Zendaya and Bella Thorne remained in the spotlight, other cast members have made some of the most surprising career pivots in recent memory, proving that life after a Disney show can lead anywhere—even Washington D.C. or a dentist's office.

Caroline Sunshine: The Political Powerhouse

Caroline Sunshine, who played the eccentric European rival Tinka Hessenheffer, has completely left the acting world. Her career pivot is arguably the most dramatic and unique of the entire cast.

Sunshine is now a prominent figure in American politics. After interning for various political offices, she joined the White House press team as a press assistant. As of late 2025, she has taken on an even more significant role: she is currently serving as the Trump 2024 Campaign Deputy Communications Director. Her journey from a comedic Disney Channel dancer to a high-profile communications director in a major political campaign is a rare and remarkable story.

Davis Cleveland: The Aspiring Dentist

Davis Cleveland, who played CeCe's mischievous younger brother Flynn Jones, has also chosen to pursue a career outside of Hollywood. After appearing in the 2023 Western film Centurion: The Dancing Stallion, Cleveland made a major life decision.

In a surprising move, Cleveland has stepped away from acting to pursue a career in medicine. He began attending the Texas A&M University School of Dentistry in 2021, focusing on becoming a dentist. His transition from a child sitcom star to a dental student is a stark contrast and a testament to his desire for a different life path, proving that the entertainment industry isn't the final destination for all former Disney stars.

The Musicians and Indie Actors: Roshon Fegan and Adam Irigoyen

The supporting male cast members have focused on blending their acting roots with their musical talents and a commitment to smaller, independent projects.

Roshon Fegan: Music, Twitch, and the 2025 Comeback

Roshon Fegan, who played the cool, talented dancer Ty Blue, has successfully maintained a dual career in acting and music. Fegan has always been an accomplished musician, and his post-Shake It Up career has seen him focus heavily on his artistry.

In 2025, Fegan is generating buzz for his musical projects, including a highly anticipated new album. He has also embraced the world of digital content creation, engaging with fans through regular Twitch livestreams. This combination of traditional music releases and modern digital presence positions him for a significant "comeback" in the eyes of his dedicated fanbase.

Adam Irigoyen: Netflix, Indie Film, and Directing

Adam Irigoyen, known for his role as the entrepreneurial Deuce Martinez, has continued his acting career, taking on more mature and diverse roles in television and film. He has also followed the path of many former co-stars by exploring creative roles behind the camera.

Irigoyen is perhaps best known post-Disney for his role as Isaac on the Netflix sci-fi drama series Away, starring Hilary Swank. More recently, his work has been seen in the independent film circuit, with projects like the short film Hemorrhage, which has been featured at various independent film awards in 2025. He continues to work on both sides of the camera, showcasing his versatility as a young filmmaker and actor.

Kenton Duty: The Quiet Transition

Kenton Duty, who played Tinka’s twin brother Gunther, departed the show after the second season. Since his time on the show, Duty has largely stepped away from major television roles. His career has focused on smaller film projects and pursuing his passion for music. While he continues to explore new opportunities in the creative world, he maintains a lower profile than his former castmates, focusing on independent work and charitable endeavors.

The Lasting Legacy of Shake It Up

The legacy of Shake It Up is not just the catchy theme song or the dance routines; it's the launchpad it provided for its young cast. The show's success created the foundation for a new generation of Hollywood talent, proving that a Disney Channel sitcom can be the first step toward Oscar-buzz roles, high-level political appointments, and even a complete career change into a specialized field like dentistry.

The diverse career choices of the Shake It Up actors—from Zendaya's ascent to global stardom and Bella Thorne's entrepreneurial filmmaking, to Caroline Sunshine's pivot to political communications and Davis Cleveland's pursuit of a dental degree—make this cast one of the most compelling examples of post-child-star life in recent history. Their stories are a fascinating study in ambition, reinvention, and finding success on their own, often unexpected, terms.