You remember that feeling. It’s January 2014, the snow is falling outside, and you're glued to the Disney Channel watching a girl in a pink snowboard jacket try to land a "Cloud 9" backflip. It’s been well over a decade since the cast of Cloud 9 first hit our screens, and honestly, looking back at that roster is wild. It wasn't just another DCOM; it was a launching pad for some of the biggest names in Hollywood today.
Most people remember Dove Cameron as the lead, obviously. But did you realize how many other heavy hitters were packed into that 85-minute snowy drama? We're talking Emmy winners, Marvel stars, and indie film icons.
The Big Two: Dove Cameron and Luke Benward
Let’s start with Dove Cameron. When she played Kayla Morgan, she was already balancing the dual roles of Liv and Maddie Rooney on her own show, but Cloud 9 felt like her first "movie star" moment. Since then, she’s basically taken over the world. You’ve seen her as Mal in the Descendants trilogy, but she’s also pivoted hard into a darker, more mature music career with hits like "Boyfriend." She even grabbed a Daytime Emmy for Liv and Maddie. Recently, she’s been doing high-concept stuff like Schmigadoon! and filming the upcoming thriller 56 Days. She’s a long way from the Summit Valley dog kennel.
Then there’s Luke Benward. He played Will Cloud, the disgraced former champ.
Luke was already a Disney veteran by the time Cloud 9 rolled around—remember Minutemen? He’s stayed incredibly busy, appearing in things like Netflix’s Dumplin’ (where he actually reunited with Dove!) and even showing up in Criminal Minds: Evolution. Fun fact: he’s been dating Ariel Winter since 2020. He’s definitely transitioned from the "Disney boyfriend" archetype to a serious character actor.
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The Rival We Loved to Hate: Mike C. Manning
Honestly, Mike C. Manning was almost too good at playing the jerk boyfriend, Nick Swift. If you felt like he looked familiar back then, it’s probably because he actually started out on MTV’s The Real World: DC. Since his Disney days, Mike has become a massive force in the soap opera and indie film world.
He’s not just an actor; he’s a producer now. He won a Daytime Emmy for his work on The Bay and recently joined the cast of Beyond the Gates in 2025. He’s one of those guys who is constantly working, whether it’s on This Is Us or starring in horror flicks like The Bell Keeper.
The Breakout: Kiersey Clemons
If you haven't been paying attention to Kiersey Clemons, you’re missing out. In the cast of Cloud 9, she played Skye Sailor—the "new girl" brought in to replace Kayla on the Swift team.
Since 2014, her career has absolutely exploded.
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- She starred in the critically acclaimed indie Dope.
- She played Iris West in The Flash (2023) and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
- She’s done major voice work in Scoob! and BoJack Horseman.
Kiersey has this incredible ability to jump between massive blockbusters and tiny, artistic indie films like Hearts Beat Loud. She’s easily one of the most successful alumnae from this specific era of Disney movies.
Supporting Players and Surprising Connections
The rest of the cast of Cloud 9 is filled with faces you definitely know from other places.
Patrick Fabian played Kayla’s dad, Richard Morgan. If you’ve watched Better Call Saul, you know him as Howard Hamlin. It’s a bit jarring to see Howard Hamlin worrying about a snowboarding competition at a resort, but hey, that's the magic of acting.
Then we have Colton Tran, who played Mike Lamb. Colton hasn't just stayed in front of the camera; he’s become a successful director and editor. He actually directed Mike C. Manning in The Bell Keeper. It’s cool to see these guys still working together more than ten years later.
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Why the Cast of Cloud 9 Was Different
Most Disney movies from that era felt a bit... manufactured? But Cloud 9 had a different energy. Maybe it was the fact that Ashley Tisdale was an executive producer. Or maybe it was the involvement of legendary snowboarder Shaun White.
The actors actually had to look like they knew what they were doing. Mike C. Manning was reportedly trained by former members of the US Olympic Snowboarding Team to make those competition scenes look legit. That dedication to the "craft" of snowboarding is probably why the movie still holds up better than some of the more "green-screen-heavy" DCOMs.
Actionable Tips for Fans and Rewatchers
If this trip down memory lane has you wanting to revisit the Summit Valley crew, here is how to get the most out of your rewatch:
- Check the Backgrounds: Look for the cameos. Shaun White has a presence, and the stunt doubles for the "Cloud 9" trick are actually world-class athletes.
- The Dumplin' Connection: If you miss the chemistry between Dove Cameron and Luke Benward, watch the 2018 movie Dumplin' on Netflix. They play Bo and Bekah, and the vibe is totally different but just as great.
- Follow the Producers: Keep an eye on Blondie Girl Productions (Ashley Tisdale's company). They’ve produced a lot of the content that fans of this era of Disney would enjoy.
- Streaming: As of 2026, the movie remains a staple on Disney+. It’s frequently featured in their "Winter Wonderland" or "DCOM Throwback" collections.
The cast of Cloud 9 represents a unique moment in 2010s pop culture where Disney was moving away from the "musical-only" format and trying to tell slightly more grounded, athletic stories. While the plot might be your standard underdog tale, the sheer talent of the people involved turned it into a cult classic. Whether it's Dove's pop stardom or Kiersey's cinematic rise, this cast proved they were way more than just "kids on snowboards."