Bridgit Mendler, Disney's feisty big sister

UNITED STATES - While Miley Cyrus is busy twerking in too-tight togs, Selena Gomez opts for increasingly provocative outfits and Lindsay Lohan continues counting down to the end of her rehab.

For these Disney stars, growing up in the public eye means trading their former squeaky-clean images for wilder ones, making headlines with their scandalous antics.

It's a story we know far too well by now, which is why all eyes are trained on the next breed of young starlets, ready to pick up on the slightest signs that they might be going off the rails.

But that might not happen with Bridgit Mendler (above), best known for her role as feisty big sister Teddy Duncan in the Disney Channel TV series Good Luck Charlie, which she has been working on since 2010.

She also plays Juliet Van Heusen in Disney Channel's fantasy series Wizards of Waverly Place, which also stars Gomez. It was on the set of Good Luck Charlie that Mendler met her boyfriend, actor Shane Harper, 20, whom she has been dating for two years.

If anything, the 20-year-old is a direct anti-thesis to her Disney predecessors.

The fresh-faced US actress-singer, who will be in town to perform at Disney Channel's Teen Beach Movie Surf's Up Party on Sunday, holds tight to her unmarred public image and is adamant that it stays that way.

In April last year, she was named the Role Model of the Year at the annual Common Sense Media awards for her responsible use of social media in the digital age. "I really don't think I have a plan to (go astray)," Mendler told The New Paper over the phone from Los Angeles when asked about the "Disney Disease". And I'd rather not comment on other people."

Mendler knew it would be best not to get involved and refrained from saying anything that could be used as fodder against her. Her key to surviving the harsh industry is simple - stay true to herself.

"I just be who I am. I don't have the tendency to do anything disobedient, so I don't feel the pressure much. I don't make a conscious effort to project a certain image," she said.

Fans clamour for photo and autograph opportunities and flock to her concerts, drawn by her down-to-earth attitude.

"It's really very flattering although I don't really consider myself (popular). But it shows that people are responding to my work and that is a good thing," said Mendler, who is in the midst of her second North America concert tour for her debut album Hello My Name Is...

Rapper

She rapped in her singles Ready Or Not and Hurricane, earning her comparisons with English singer-songwriter Cher Lloyd.

Mendler said: "I always loved writing songs and I decided that singing would be something that I would be happy to pursue as well."

She joins the ranks of Disney stars like Gomez, Ashley Tisdale and Demi Lovato who also dabble in music on top of acting. She remained tight-lipped when asked to comment on her biggest influence from the Disney stable.

"I think it's wonderful that there are Disney stars who do positive work via other platforms," she said simply, making no specific mention of any Disney idol.

She did, however, reveal that she draws inspiration from English singer Lily Allen, and in the US, from alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, hip hop/soul group Fugees and singer Bob Dylan.

Mendler hopes to collaborate with US singer Bruno Mars - for "his really cool style" - and pop diva Beyonce.

"It's been a dream from young to write a song for Beyonce. It would be amazing. I mean... what can be better than that?"

ashikinr@sph.com.sg

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