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A-List Secrets: How to Make a Shiny New Miley

Thu., Aug. 14, 2008 12:46 PM PDT by Leslie Gornstein

Paul Fenton/ZumaPress.com, AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Is The Suite Life's Brenda Song Disney's next billion-dollar cash cow?
—Lizzie

Knock it off. You're making Selena Gomez cry.

See, Disney is trying awfully hard to make us like Brenda Song. First she appeared in two Disney shows—Phil of the Future and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. Then came her Disney movie, Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, which showcased Song's martial arts skills and singing chops. Next up is The Suite Life on Deck.

"Next she might do records, fashion and online entertainment," says Darrell Miller, a branding expert and lawyer now negotiating offers for Idol contestant Syesha Mercado.

But Song isn't Big Media's only new walking ATM. Another rising star has just been signed—and if Song and Gomez are the next Miley Cyruses, then Nickelodeon is replacing Jamie Lynn Spears with...

Nickelodeon yesterday unveiled a deal that essentially crowns Victoria Justice as the new Jamie Lynn. Through a new "overall talent and music deal," Nick is developing a new musical comedy series for Justice, who will also star in an original TV movie produced by Nickelodeon. For the uninitiated, Justice was a costar on Zoey 101.

"[Parent company] Viacom is basically giving her the fast track to success," Miller's partner, John Mason, explains. "You'll see her doing features soundtracks for the movies, albums and merchandising like you would not believe."

"They snatched her up, took her off the market and said we'll figure it out," Miller adds.

So if you've got your own ready-for-fame tween lying around, just follow Victoria and Brenda's easy formula—and count your billions! Now, hop to it.

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