It has been over a decade since the piano-playing duo first took over the Disney Channel, and honestly, if you haven’t checked in on the Austin and Ally actors lately, you are missing out on some of the wildest career pivots in Hollywood.
We all remember the core four. Austin Moon was the blonde, slightly airheaded superstar. Ally Dawson was the shy songwriter who conquered her stage fright. Trish had a different job every five minutes, and Dez... well, Dez was Dez. But the transition from a brightly colored Miami music shop to the "real world" of 2026 hasn't been the typical child-star burnout story.
It’s actually been pretty successful.
The Ross Lynch Transformation
If you only know Ross Lynch as the kid who sang "Double Take," your mind is about to be blown. He basically did a 180. He went from the wholesome Disney heartthrob to playing one of the most notorious serial killers in American history in My Friend Dahmer.
That was the turning point.
Since then, he’s lived in the dark, moody world of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as Harvey Kinkle and toured the globe with his brother, Rocky Lynch, in their band, The Driver Era. As of early 2026, the band is still a massive deal. They just dropped their fourth studio album, Obsession, which sounds nothing like the bubblegum pop of his Disney days. It’s alt-rock, it’s edgy, and it’s earned him a huge cult following that has nothing to do with Mickey Mouse.
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Laura Marano’s Independent Streak
Laura Marano is probably the most hardworking person in the room. Always.
After the show ended, everyone expected her to sign with a massive label and go the standard pop star route. She did sign with Big Machine initially, but then she did something brave: she went independent. She launched her own label, Flip Phone Records.
Think about that. In an industry that eats young women alive, she decided to own her masters and call her own shots. Her 2023 album, I May Be An Actress, but I Can’t Fake How I Feel, was a raw, vulnerable look at her life post-Disney. Fans on Reddit and TikTok still talk about how her "rebranding" isn't just for show—she’s genuinely trying to bridge the gap between "quirky Disney girl" and a serious indie artist. And it’s working. She’s currently juggling several film projects, including more mature roles that move past the "girl next door" trope.
What Happened to Trish and Dez?
Raini Rodriguez and Calum Worthy provided the soul of the show. Seriously.
Raini—who we all know as the legendary Trish De la Rosa—has been doing a ton of voice work and stays incredibly active in the industry. She’s also become a bit of an internet icon. Her "Fiesta Salsa" memes are still everywhere, and she embraces it with so much grace. She’s the kind of person who reminds you that you can have a career and a sense of humor at the same time.
Then there’s Calum Worthy.
Calum is a secret weapon. He is a phenomenal dramatic actor. If you haven’t seen him in The Act on Hulu (playing Nick Godejohn) or the Netflix series American Vandal, go watch them right now. He is unrecognizable. He’s carved out this niche of playing deeply complex, sometimes unsettling characters, proving he was always more than just the comic relief.
The Reunion Everyone Asks About
Will there be a reboot? Kinda. Maybe.
The Austin and Ally actors are still genuinely best friends. That’s the rarest part of this whole story. They actually like each other. In March 2023, the full cast had a big in-person reunion that sent the internet into a tailspin. They’ve all gone on record saying they’d be down for a "grown-up" version of the show.
Imagine Austin & Ally but they’re in their 30s, navigating the actual music industry, and dealing with adult problems. The creators, Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert, have joked about it too. While nothing is officially on the 2026 production slate yet, the demand from Gen Z nostalgia is at an all-time high.
Why Their Success Matters
Most Disney casts splinter. They stop talking. They have public feuds. But this group? They stayed grounded.
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- Ross Lynch proved you can be a pop star and a serious actor simultaneously.
- Laura Marano showed that independence is better than a bad contract.
- Calum Worthy demonstrated that "the funny guy" can be the most talented person in the cast.
- Raini Rodriguez reminded everyone that being a fan favorite is about personality, not just a script.
If you’re looking for a next step to keep up with them, follow The Driver Era on Spotify for Ross’s current sound, or check out Laura Marano’s latest independent singles to see how a Disney star actually evolves. You should also keep an eye on Calum Worthy’s IMDb—he usually has a prestige drama in the works that will make you forget he ever wore a Dez-style bowling shirt.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go watch Calum Worthy in The Act to see the most drastic acting shift of the group. Afterward, stream Obsession by The Driver Era to hear the current evolution of the "Austin Moon" sound. These actors aren't just relics of 2011; they are actively shaping the entertainment landscape of 2026.