If you watched the Disney Channel at any point between 2005 to 2011, you probably would recognize Dylan Sprouse, one half of the duo that starred in the wildly popular series, "The Suite Life With Zack and Cody," and its spinoff, "The Suite Life on Deck."
In a YouTube series called "Conversations with Nat" (which seems to be related to NYU, where Dylan is a student), the former child star explained why he and his twin brother, Cole, decided to part ways with Disney after growing up on the network. The video surfaced on Wednesday, May 29 but has now been set to private on YouTube.
Going to college was the primary reason for their departure, Dylan explained, because getting a higher education was something they both valued. But what some fans may not know is that the brothers had deferred their acceptances to NYU for a year so they could continue with "Suite Life."
"[We thought], 'if we're going to do one last season, it's going to be on our terms. We're going to produce it, and it will be a setup for a new show,'' Dylan said. "It would [also have] set up all the cast and crew we worked with for six years so they wouldn't lose their jobs over our decision to go to college."
Dylan also said in the interview that the brothers formally pitched their fleshed-out "Suite Life" spinoff idea to Disney, and their proposal was turned down. Later, though, the network came back to Dylan and Cole with an idea of their own.
"They pitched us our idea, in Miami, with Selena Gomez. And Cole and I turned to each other ... we basically laughed in their face and walked out," Dylan said. "That was the last meeting we had with Disney. We were just like no, that was the end."
Not only did the brothers sever ties with the Disney Channel in 2011, but they also chose to leave the acting world completely. (Dylan and Cole had previously done some non-TV work, most notably starring in the 1999 movie "Big Daddy" alongside Adam Sandler.)
"Historically, Disney Channel stars don't survive well outside of the Disney environment ... we decided that we should go and get a higher education [and also] give time for people to forget about us," he said. "If we left and returned four years later after we've grown, gained an education, looked physically different ... it would only do good for us."
The Huffington Post reached out to Disney for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Considering the fates of some other former child stars (here's looking at you, Amanda Bynes and Lindsay Lohan), we'd venture to say that the Sprouse brothers' decision was remarkably self-aware -- and hopefully having a college education will only benefit their careers in the future.
What do you think? Are you surprised by the young actors' less-than-warm parting with the Disney Channel? Sound off in the comments below or tweet your thoughts @HuffPostTeen.
Update: Disney responded to The Huffington Post and declined to comment.
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