If you grew up in the late nineties, you probably spent a good chunk of your time trying to make "zetus lapetus" happen in casual conversation. It was the peak of the DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) golden age, and nothing felt more high-stakes than a thirteen-year-old girl trying to stop a space station from imploding while Proto Zoa sang "Supernova Girl" in the background. Looking back, the Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century cast wasn't just a bunch of child actors in silver spandex—it was a weirdly prestigious launching pad for some of the biggest names in soaps, directing, and even international thrillers.
Honestly, the world of 2049 looked a lot shinier through Zenon Kar’s eyes than it does from our current vantage point in 2026. While we don't have personal hovercrafts quite yet, the actors who brought that neon-drenched future to life have had some of the most fascinating—and occasionally harrowing—career trajectories in Hollywood.
Kirsten Storms: From Space Girl to Soap Royalty
Kirsten Storms basically owned the Disney Channel for a few years. Before she was Zenon, she was in Johnny Tsunami, and she eventually voiced Bonnie Rockwaller in Kim Possible. But if you haven’t followed her since she hung up the metallic vest, you’ve missed a massive second act.
Since 2005, Storms has been the face of Maxie Jones on General Hospital. She’s been on the show for two decades, which is a wild level of job security in an industry that usually chews kids up and spits them out. But it hasn't been an easy ride. In recent years, Kirsten has been incredibly open about her health struggles, which have forced her into a few hiatuses from the screen.
Back in 2021, she had brain surgery to remove a large cyst. Then, in late 2025, she shared some heavy news with fans on Instagram: doctors discovered a brain aneurysm. She’s currently navigating that medical journey while living outside of Los Angeles, having recently decided that the LA hustle wasn't doing her mental or physical health any favors. It’s a far cry from the carefree girl of the 21st century, but her transparency has made her a bit of a hero in the chronic illness community.
The Nebula Wade Swap: Raven-Symoné vs. Shadia Simmons
One of the great mysteries of our childhood was why Nebula looked different in the second movie. Most people remember Raven-Symoné in the role because, well, she’s Raven. She went from Zenon to That’s So Raven, which turned her into a literal mogul. By the time we hit the mid-2020s, she’s done it all—co-hosting The View, starring in Raven’s Home, and even hosting the Scrabble revival on The CW in 2024.
But let’s talk about Shadia Simmons.
She took over the role of Nebula in Zenon: The Zequel when Raven was busy. Shadia was a DCOM staple for a minute there, starring in The Color of Friendship (which is still arguably the best movie Disney ever made) and Quints. But Shadia did something most child stars don't have the guts to do: she walked away.
She moved back to Toronto, got her Master's degree, and became a teacher. It's kinda refreshing, right? She traded the "galaxy" for a classroom and seems completely fine with it.
Gregory Smith: The Heartthrob Who Went Behind the Camera
Gregory Smith played Greg, the Earth-dweller who showed Zenon that "groundies" weren't so bad. He had that quintessential 90s floppy hair and a serious brooding energy that landed him a lead role in the WB’s Everwood shortly after.
If you look for him on screen today, you won’t find much. That’s because he’s become one of the most prolific directors in network television. If you’ve watched an episode of The Flash, Arrow, Riverdale, or Superman & Lois in the last few years, there’s a massive chance Gregory Smith was the one calling the shots. He’s also spent a lot of time directing The Rookie and its various spin-offs. He basically traded being the guy in front of the lens for the person running the whole set.
Proto Zoa and the "Supernova Girl" Legacy
We cannot talk about the Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century cast without mentioning Phillip Rhys. As Proto Zoa, he was the cosmic rockstar we all obsessed over. That spiky blonde hair and the "zoom, zoom, zoom" chorus are burned into our collective retinas.
Phillip Rhys (now often credited as Phillip Rhys Chaudhary) didn't stay in the pop-star lane. He actually went on to do some pretty gritty work. He was in the second season of 24, had a recurring role on Nip/Tuck, and even showed up in Doctor Who.
Most recently, he’s been following in Gregory Smith’s footsteps. He’s an alum of the Disney Directing Program and has been directing episodes of The Good Doctor. It’s funny how many members of this cast ended up as directors. Maybe there was something in the water on that Vancouver set in 1998.
The Supporting Cast: Where Are They Now?
- Stuart Pankin (Commander Plank): The man who was always "cleared for docking" is a character actor legend. He’s still working, mostly doing voice-over work and appearing in various TV guest spots.
- Holly Fulger (Aunt Judy): She was the cool aunt we all wanted. She eventually stepped away from the spotlight to start a non-profit called "True Beauty Discovery," which focuses on self-esteem for women and girls.
- Lauren Maltby (Margie Hammond): Zenon’s rival. She stayed in the Disney circle for a while but retired from acting in the mid-2000s. She reportedly went into the field of psychology, which makes sense if you spent your teen years playing a mean girl on TV.
Why This Movie Still Hits in 2026
It’s easy to mock the silver costumes and the outdated tech, but Zenon was actually ahead of its time. It tackled climate change (the space station was a closed ecosystem), corporate greed (Wyndham was a classic villain), and the isolation of digital communication.
Watching the Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century cast grow up has been a lesson in the reality of the entertainment industry. Some stayed in the spotlight and thrived, some faced serious health battles, and others realized that a "normal" life was the real "major" win.
If you're feeling nostalgic, the entire trilogy is sitting on Disney+. It’s worth a rewatch just to see how much of their "future" lingo actually sounds like modern slang.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Rewatch:
- Check the Credits: Watch Zenon: The Zequel and see if you can spot the difference in Nebula’s performance style between Raven and Shadia.
- Track the Directors: Next time you watch an episode of The Rookie, look for Gregory Smith’s name in the opening credits—it’s a fun "full circle" moment.
- Support Kirsten: If you're a fan of the original, keep an eye on Kirsten Storms' social media for updates on her recovery; she’s been a massive advocate for aneurysm awareness.
The 21st century didn't turn out exactly how the writers of this movie imagined, but the cast has proven that there is definitely life after the space station.
