Liamani Segura is poised to capture the spotlight this summer as she stars in two highly anticipated Disney musical films: *Descendants: Wicked Wonderland* and *Camp Rock 3*. At just 17 years of age, Segura is rapidly becoming a standout name on the Disney Channel, following her television debut in *High School Musical: The Musical: The Series* in 2022.
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Originating from Racine, Wisconsin, Segura’s journey into the world of performing arts began at a young age. She excitedly recalls her first taste of theatre, playing Young Fiona in a local production of *Shrek the Musical*. Her passion for performing continued to blossom when she took on the role of Dorothy in *The Wiz* at the age of nine, an experience that ignited her desire to pursue both acting and singing.
“I realised early on that I could combine the two and have fun with it,” she shared in an exclusive interview with *PEOPLE*. Growing up, she was inspired by Disney stars such as Dove Cameron and Demi Lovato, remarking on her desire to emulate Cameron’s adventurous character from *Descendants*: “I wanted purple hair so bad! It was a whole phase.” Joining the franchises of *Descendants* and *Camp Rock* feels like a dream come true for her.
In *Wicked Wonderland*, Segura plays Pink, the youngest daughter of the Queen of Hearts, portrayed by Rita Ora. For her casting audition, she selected Whitney Houston’s iconic hit “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” a choice she found to be fitting for her character’s vibrant personality. “Reading the script made me fall in love with Pink,” she explained. “She’s fun, bubbly, and always tries to find the silver lining.”
Entering the franchise established by beloved actors like Dove Cameron, Booboo Stewart, and the late Cameron Boyce was an intimidating prospect. Segura candidly expressed her initial nerves about stepping into such well-loved roles. However, she has found solace and support within the cast, especially from her onscreen sister Kylie Cantrall, with whom she shared a connection from their previous collaboration in *HSMTMTS*. “They’ve become family to me,” she stated, conveying her deep fondness for her new colleagues.
Segura recently had the opportunity to work alongside industry icons, which further heightened her excitement. She described feeling starstruck around Brandy and Rita Ora during filming. A particularly memorable moment occurred when she sang Houston’s “Run to You” for Brandy, leading to an emotional exchange that Segura will cherish forever. “She broke down in tears, and it felt surreal to share that experience with someone I grew up listening to,” she recounted.
Her nerves were similarly palpable when meeting the Jonas Brothers for *Camp Rock 3*, where she plays Sage, a new camper. “I can’t deny I had a little crush back in the day,” she laughed, confessing she was a fan of Nick Jonas. Meeting them was an exhilarating experience; she described them as genuinely down-to-earth and conveyed how they offered encouragement to the cast on their first day. “They told us to take it all in and expressed how proud they were. Witnessing them get back into their characters was incredible.”
Beyond her film projects, Segura has exciting plans on the horizon. Following the releases of *Wicked Wonderland* and *Camp Rock 3*, the young star is set to embark on her debut tour with the Disney Worlds Collide Concert Tour, which will include other popular Disney franchises.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine,” Segura enthused. She plans to perform a mix of songs from both *Descendants* and *Camp Rock*, alongside showcasing her own original music. “I’m getting ready for my little artist moment,” she teased, revealing that she is currently working on her album.
*Descendants: Wicked Wonderland* is slated to premiere on Disney Channel on 16 July, with its release on Disney+ the following day. Meanwhile, *Camp Rock 3* will debut on 13 August, also available on Disney+ the next day. As Liamani Segura steps further into the spotlight, fans are eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this rising star.