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Live Action Disney Boys I Definitely Had a Crush on, and I Bet You Did Too

Sanjana Ganesh Student Contributor, San Jose State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SJSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

If you’re like me and grew up watching tons of live action Disney shows, there’s probably been at least one character who caught your eye. Here are some Disney characters I personally consider my fictional childhood crushes.

Chase Davenport

Since the first season of “Lab Rats,” I have had a crush on Chase, and he remains my ultimate Disney crush. Honestly, I was always surprised that he got teased so much on the show because whenever I ask people in real life, everyone says they had a crush on him. 

I love how nerdy he is, but he also has a great sense of humor. He knows when to be funny and when to focus, especially when the rest of the bionic sibling team needs someone to keep them grounded. 

I remember talking to a friend from high school about “Lab Rats,” and the first thing she said was, “Chase is cute.” 

That pretty much confirmed what I had already been thinking for years.

Austin Moon

“Austin & Ally” was one of the first live-action Disney shows I was introduced to, and let’s be honest: Who didn’t have a crush on Austin Moon? Literally everyone on the show seemed to fall for him at some point, and plenty of people watching at home did, too. 

Austin was confident, outgoing and naturally charismatic. He had a fun personality that made it easy to understand why people were drawn to him. Of course, his singing and musical skills were also a major part of his appeal. 

He was already talented when the show began, but he continued to improve as a musician and performer. I still have his songs on my playlist to this day, which says a lot about how memorable his character and music were. 

He was one of those Disney characters who made being talented look effortless while still having a goofy and lovable side.

Xander McCormick

I am still a little sad that Xander left after Season 2 of “Bunk’d,” but we got to enjoy his presence while we could. He was a great older brother figure to the other boys and usually brought a sense of confidence to the group. 

Xander had a laid-back personality, but he was also dependable and serious when his friends and family needed him. That balance made him easy to like. I wish he could have stayed on the show longer because his relationships with the other campers were entertaining to watch.

Jack Brewer

Jack Brewer simply had that aura, if you know what I am talking about. “Kickin’ It” was definitely a unique Disney show, and it made me more interested in martial arts. Who better to represent that world than Jack? 

He was confident, talented and hardworking, but he was not completely arrogant. He dominated his opponents at tournaments and constantly showed how much effort he put into his training. From the beginning, Jack proved that he was willing to work hard for what he wanted. 

One of my favorite examples was in the very first episode, when he had to choose between the dojos. He had a strong sense of loyalty and wanted to find a place where he belonged. Jack was also protective of his friends, which made him even more appealing.

Chad Dylan Cooper

Chad Dylan Cooper was portrayed as the typical obnoxious high school boy in “Sonny With a Chance,” even though none of the characters actually attended school. He was dramatic, self-confident and sometimes completely full of himself, but he still had a certain charm. 

Beneath his celebrity persona, Chad was often a nice person who cared about his friends and the people close to him. He brought a lot of humor to the show, especially when he interacted with Sonny and the rest of the cast. 

He just needed someone to look past the ego and give him a chance, no pun intended.

Josh Wilcox

Although Josh was not one of the main characters in “Liv and Maddie,” I personally loved him and wish we could have seen more of him. He was a nice, laid-back guy who was genuinely trying his best, and I found that really attractive. 

Josh did not need to be the loudest or most dramatic person in the room to stand out. His kindness and calm personality made him feel different from many of the other characters. I also think many fans would agree that he should have ended up with Maddie instead of her and Diggie being endgame. 

Josh was a really great boyfriend to Maddie, and their relationship had a sweet and supportive dynamic. Justice for Josh!

Cody Martin

Cody Martin was so adorable on “The Suite Life on Deck,” especially when he got shy around Bailey. He was the nerdy, shy lover boy we all needed to see. Cody was intelligent and thoughtful, but he also had a funny and awkward side that made him even more lovable. 

His relationship with Bailey was one of my favorite parts of the show because he clearly cared about her and often struggled to express his feelings. I even named my second dog after him because Cody is such a cute name. 

Even when he made mistakes, his heart was usually in the right place.  He still remains one of my favorite live-action Disney characters.

Who was your childhood Disney crush? Let us know by sending us a DM on Instagram at @HerCampusSJSU on Instagram!

Hey! I'm Sanjana, but you can call me Sanju. I’m currently a Communication Studies student at SJSU. I love food, especially frozen desserts and tiramisu. Boba is my go-to drink, and I'm always down to explore new boba stores and flavors (though mango-passionfruit green tea remains my favorite).

I'm actively building my online presence on Instagram and YouTube, sharing my journey as a student. Through these platforms, I aim to connect with other students who are also pursuing higher education. I also aspire to launch a relevant blog and sell handmade stationery someday.

In my spare time, you'll find me engaged in writing, reading (particularly YA fiction), and dancing. As a K-pop fan, I mostly participate in K-pop dance covers, and my favorite groups include NCT, Stray Kids, and ITZY. As a music enthusiast in general, I vibe with various genres. Ultimately, my life goal is to explore and travel the world!