Forget Hannah Montana and Lizzie Maguire – Shake It Up has become one of Disney’s biggest shows to date, and the two stars – Bella Thorne, 14, and Zendaya, 15, – are on course to become a global phenomenon, with YouTube views totalling 56 million and rising.

The show follows the adventures of two best pals as they fulfil their dreams to become professional dancers and, having met the girls in the flesh, we don’t think their characters’ appetite for success is too far from reality.

The Disney dolls recently survived a near mobbing from their fans in the UK in scenes reminiscent of One Direction’s Stateside swarm – which we’re not sure Bella wasn’t part of: ‘I love Harry Styles and I love the whole band. I love the accent – you guys just have the coolest accent!’

Here, the American starlets recall their rise to the top, famous fans and the dark side of fame…

What made you decide at such a young age that this is what you wanted to do?

Zendaya: I remember when Hannah Montana first come out. I was watching an episode, and
I started crying because I was upset that she was up there and I wasn’t. I was like, why can’t I do that?!

Bella: I’ve always wanted to be an actress, but everyone said I couldn’t because of my dyslexia. I wanted to prove everyone wrong.

Have you ever been bullied because of your fame?

Bella: Yes, that’s part of the territory. It does hurt and people don’t realise that. I’m the global ambassador for Stomp Out Bullying. When I was bullied, it affected my whole family and it caused problems. I didn’t want to go out, and even now I’m afraid to talk in front of crowds and at awards shows.

How bad did it get?

It got really severe. I was crying every day in school, so I stopped public school in fourth grade, which was disappointing.

Even now we still get it, which really sucks, but if that hadn’t happened to me, I probably wouldn’t be here. Now, really, it’s just over the computer so the simplest thing is to turn it off.

You’re super-confident for teenagers – have you ever suffered from confidence issues?

Bella: Everybody has a bit of an insecurity – I find them daily. We’ll always have that but you have your best friends, like Zendaya. I’m beautiful on the inside – I do lots of charity work.

Zendaya: I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been. I used to be shy and afraid of being judged. When I’m having a down day, I put it into perspective and think, I’m in London, promoting my TV show with my best friend – not everyone can say that.

Whose career would you like to emulate?

Bella: Emma Watson and Natalie Portman. Natalie went to college and I want to go to USC. They also both have really great styles.

Zendaya: Michael Jackson and Beyoncé.

Do you go on dates?

Zendaya: I’m not allowed to date until I’m 16, but I don’t have time. I’m very focused on my career.

Bella: I have a boyfriend. His name is Tristan, he goes to Notre Dame high school and he plays baseball, basketball and football. It’s nice – I don’t want to date an actor. He totally keeps out of the whole celebrity thing.

Who’s your celebrity crush?

Bella: Ryan Gosling.

Zendaya: Chris Brown. I will meet him one day!

Who’s the best celebrity you’ve met?

Bella: Miley Cyrus – she was so sweet and down to earth. She told me to stay grounded and remember that everybody is your equal.

Demi Lovato is a Disney star who had a breakdown. How will you make sure you don’t go off the rails?

Bella: We’re 14 and 15, so we don’t necessarily think about that stuff. What we do think about is our dreams and what we want to accomplish.

Zendaya: And we have an amazing support system – beautiful family and friends who keep my head on straight.

Do you have private jokes?

Zendaya: Oh my God, our whole life is a private joke. Everybody around us is like: ‘What are you
two talking about?’ We have our own private handshake, too!

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve spent your money on?

Bella: Our Louis Vuitton purses from Paris.

Zendaya: When we went to Dubai recently we got our very first pair of Christian Louboutin heels.

I’m too afraid to wear them because I’ll scratch the bottoms!

Bella Thorne and Zendaya Coleman star in Disney Channel’s original series Shake It Up. Shake It Up airs on Disney Channel every day.

Shake It Up: Live 2 Dance music album is out now