A Rocky Start

2008: Demi and Selena were on Barney & Friends together as children in the '90s, which was the start of their close friendship. But as they embarked on their Disney channel roles alongside Miley, it often appeared to be two against one — even though Demi and Miley hit it off on the set of Hannah Montana in 2007. Nick Jonas [6] and Miley dated from 2006-2007 and not long after their breakup, Selena started dating Nick — feel the drama starting? Adding fuel to the fire, Miley made a video with her close friend Mandy making fun of Demi and Selena's video. Miley took down the video and apologised (kind of), though that was certainly the start of some major tension.

2009: Demi and Selena starred in their first film together called Princess Protection Program. In an interview with People, Selena said, "We enjoy doing everything together [7]." While a solid amount of photos exist of Miley and Demi posing on the red carpet at events throughout the year, the same can't be said for Miley and Selena.

2010: When a fan asked Demi how Selena was doing, Demi responded "ask Taylor," an immediate sign that something was off for the former BFF's. In an interview with Girls Life in 2010, Demi responded to questions about their friendship saying, "We're both busy, and I wish the best for her [8]. True friends don't let their friends or family be mean to you. If you can't trust somebody, you can't be friends with them."

The Girls Support Demi

2011: Demi entered rehab for substance abuse. In an interview with Television Net," Demi explained how Selena was one of the first people who reached out to her [9]. "[Selena] called me crying when I was in there and was just so worried," Demi said. "I was like, 'Look, I should be the one crying, it's all good!' But she was so worried and ever since then, we've gotten closer." The two were spotted laughing and smiling together on the red carpet at the Kids' Choice Awards that year. In an interview with Screener, Demi also said, "She [Miley] sent me a Christmas present [10] and that meant a lot to me because I didn't get Christmas presents in there. I just have incredible friends."

Things Get Complicated For Demi and Miley . . . and Selena

2012: In an interview with Seventeen Magazine in 2012, Demi said, "[Miley] and I are strong headed. When we fight it's brutal, and we're like, 'We're never going to be friends again [11]!' Then two days later, we're like, 'I love you and I miss you! Selena and I, we never fight. She's not a confrontational person at all. Both of them will never leave my life no matter what happens because we've been through so much together." How's that for emotions?
2014: During a radio interview [12], a fan called in to ask Demi about the current status on her friendship with Miley [13]. "It's life, and people change. I don't have anything in common with her anymore. I wish her the best." As for her relationship with Selena? Welllll, she unfollowed her on Twitter. In an interview with Andy Cohen, the subject came up and Demi said, "I think it's just one of those things where people change and people grow apart [14]." Mysterious.

2015: Demi unfollowed Miley on Twitter, too, but then she refollowed Selena in time to wish her a happy birthday. For those two, they seem cool — so cool, in fact, that Demi posted a photo on Instagram with a caption that read, "Look at how #coolforthesummer we are.. Friends for years, #sameoldlove." But are things really that cool?

The Light at the End of a Dark, Drama-Filled Tunnel

2017: While recovering for a kidney transplant brought on by her Lupus, Demi spoke with People regarding Selena's intensive surgery. She said, "I think that she is a very strong woman [15]. I'm very happy and proud of her."

2018: Dolce & Gabbana codesigner Stefano Gabbana called Selena "ugly" on Instagram and Miley Cyrus [16] came to her defence, slamming him [17] on a fan account's photo of the two women — the Internet loved it.

Following Demi's overdose in 2018, she unfollowed a bunch of people, including Selena, again. But according to Entertainment Tonight, Demi did so to "focus on herself [18]" and "avoid any difficult relationships." On the bright side, social media isn't exactly real life, and if it helps Demi on her road to recovery, then hopefully her former Disney pals can understand.

From Past to Present

2019: In Miley's new song, "Cattitude," the lyrics go, "I love you, Nicki but I listen to Cardi," in reference to the feud Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. On May 25, Miley posted a play on the lyrics on Instagram, writing "I love you Selena but I listen to Demi," in the caption. While many people interpreted this caption as a way of throwing shade at Selena, Miley insinuates that she was intending on doing the exact opposite. In fact, she was poking fun at their alleged feud, which she claims, never actually existed. "I think that you're allowed to enjoy two artists that feel in a similar lane [19]," Miley said in an interview with Capital FM. "I grew up collaborating with Demi [Lovato] and Selena [Gomez]. There was never any competition."

So while the girls might not follow each other on Instagram these days, or be as present in each others' lives outside of red carpets and social media banter, we think the artists do have a level of respect and admiration for one another, as seen by them all writing comments on Miley's sweet throwback video that she posted on her Instagram [20] around International Women's Day. We consider this a high note for the OG Disney trio — and we can only hope that their future timeline is drama-free and full of all the heart emojis. Is that too much to ask?