If you took a trip back to 2003 and asked 8-year-old me what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer would either be a veterinarian or Lizzie McGuire. Back in the day, I was obsessed with the likes of Raven Baxter, Miley Stewart, and Kim Possible. Opinionated, sassy, intelligent, and creative, each one of these young Disney heroines was unique in their own way and quickly became role models who I could look up to as I imagined what it'd be like to go to middle school and high school. Little did I know, their influence on me would last way past senior year.
While every single Disney star impacted me in one way or another — because I pretty much watched Disney Channel and Nickelodeon 24/7 — Lizzie McGuire was my number-one idol [1]. She had what I considered amazing style, even more incredible friends, and she got to pose as an Italian pop star at only 15! She was basically living the dream, and I always did my best to imitate her. Somewhere along the way, I think I actually kind of succeeded. Here's why my friends and family have Lizzie and a few other young Disney Channel ladies to thank for my weird and wonderful personality.
Miley Stewart From Hannah Montana
Miley Stewart truly had the best of both worlds. Not only was she a world-renowned pop star, but she also had the best friends anyone could ask for. Through all of her shenanigans, Miley taught me that true friends always have your back, and even though change is inevitable and you and your friends might take separate paths in life, you can still be there for each other. Plus, nobody's perfect, so we shouldn't try to be!
Lizzie McGuire
Sometimes we make it and sometimes we fake it. Aside from the fact that I was jealous she got to be in a music video with Aaron Carter, Lizzie McGuire was my icon. While she taught me that it's important to be yourself and to never try to be anyone else — something that initially went over my head, considering I tried to be just like her for years — Lizzie mostly taught me lessons about friendship.
On more than one occasion, Lizzie experimented with being popular and pretending to be someone she wasn't, but she ultimately learned to embrace her interests and stick by the friends that were always there for her. She also taught me that it's OK to call out your friends when it's necessary and that sometimes it's OK to stop being friends altogether. It's just part of growing up. Most importantly, Lizzie taught me that you have your whole life to decide who you want to be, and in the meantime, the best thing you can do is just try to be a good person.
Alex Russo From Wizards of Waverly Place
You might remember Alex as the human embodiment of IDGAF. But she actually did! Despite her cold exterior and brutal honesty, Alex was always there for her friends and family to support them through tough times, and she wasn't afraid to jump in and be a leader when she needed to — even if that meant being part of a zombie dance battle. While I haven't had to do that just yet, channeling Alex's determination and ability to unapologetically be herself definitely gave me a confidence boost.
Tia and Tamera From Sister, Sister
Yes, this show is technically from the '90s, but it was such a huge part of my TV-watching experience as a kid that I couldn't leave out Tia and Tamera. Separated at birth and reunited in their teens, these sisters made me wish I had a twin of my own to swap lives with sometimes. More than anything, they kept things real and taught me how to get through all the basics — from getting your first pimple to accidentally hanging with the wrong crowd. These two went through it all together, and you can bet I was still watching well into their college years.
Penny Proud From The Proud Family
Penny Proud may be a cartoon, but she was so well-rounded that it didn't even matter. As someone who was constantly on top of my grades (even in elementary school), I looked up to Penny for being a straight-A student and making time for her friends, her role on the school newspaper, her poetry, and even football practice. Penny always spoke up for what she believed in and wasn't afraid to educate herself when she needed to, which definitely inspired me to do the same.
Raven Baxter From That's So Raven
Raven's passion for fashion was just one reason I looked up to her so much. Aside from being the member of her friend group who was never afraid to speak her mind (me) and her tendency to spontaneously dance with reckless abandon (also me), Raven also dealt with being judged for her size, which is something I've always been able to relate to. But Raven didn't let it get her down. She knew who she was and she wasn't afraid to speak out if someone was trying to put her down.
As I grew older, I tried to embrace Raven's ability to stand up for herself and others, no matter how big or small the situation, so I definitely have her to thank for a few proud moments in my life. I also try my best to stare into space and hope to catch a glimpse of the future every now and then, but I'm still working on that one.
Kim Possible
Last, but certainly not least, Kim Possible was an actual teenage superhero! OK, she was a cartoon, but the lessons she taught me were definitely real. Even Miley Stewart had a secret identity, but Kim was always herself to everyone she met, doing her best to help out anyone in need simply because it was the right thing to do — and look totally badass while doing it.
The best part was that she would fly across the world to fight mutant supervillains and still make it home in time for cheerleading practice. She could do it all: dealing with crushes, getting a job, babysitting, and stopping a spiteful blue man from causing mass destruction, all without any actual superpowers. From Kim, I learned how to do anything I put my mind to, and I think that's exactly why I've been able to channel my favorite Disney characters and grow into someone I think embodies them all in one way or another.