Mouseketeers

In 1955 Disney started a television variety show with a regular cast of child performers called, The Mickey Mouse Club. Going off the air in 1959, it was brought back in reruns until the revamped versions of the late 1970's and early 1990's, The New Mickey Mouse Club and The All-New Mickey Mouse Club respectively. 

Annette Funicello was probably the most famous Mouseketeer from the first go-round of The Mickey Mouse Club. Annette stayed with Disney for a while and did some great movies like, The Shaggy Dog and Babes in Toyland. Even though she wasn't a big fan of singing Annette released a number of songs under Disney's label at this time. The early 1960's brought on her teens and her most iconic roles as a "beach picture" star in Beach Party, Muscle Beach Party, Bikini Beach, Pajama Party, Beach Blanket Bingo and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini. She starred in all of these flicks with Frankie Avalon. 

The biggest star to come out of the 1970's revamp was Lisa Whelchel who starred in the Facts of Life in the 1980's. During the 1980's The Mickey Mouse Club had been running as reruns but obviously had become very dated so then came The All-New Mickey Mouse Club! This is where things get exciting and tons of currently huge stars got their starts. 

My favorite and probably the craziest of the Mouseketeer alums would have to be the always lovely and vivacious Britney Spears. Like many of the Mouseketeers at this time she was only on for a short time, 1993-1995 when it went off the air. 

Christina was on the show the same time as Britney. I like to think that while they were on they already had the whole pop princess I'm going to kick your butt with my amazingness thing going on like they did in the early 2000's. I bet they both had some sort of pre-teen triangle going on with Ryan Gosling. Seriously look at the three of them!

Especially look at Ryan! 1990's pre-teen hearthrob all the way. I can remember crushing on a number of boys that looked almost exactly like that. Cute smile that makes you giggle, hair in that 90's shag bowl cut, and that 90's print shirt *swoon*

 Which brings us to the 90's photo I'm sure Justin wants us to all forget! Although he did rock that ramen look for a number of years after that ... He wasn't the only N'Syncer to get his start with the Mouse. JC Chasez was rocking out with Disney two full years before JT came into the picture.

Honorable mention goes to Keri Russell also from the The All-New Mickey Mouse Club but since she doesn't have a musical career she doesn't count today. Sorry Keri!

Which Mouseketeer do you think is the biggest success since then?