Disney Star's Unlikely Career Path from Mall Elf to Nurse

Former Disney star Jennifer Stone found an unexpected path after her show 'Wizards of Waverly Place' ended its second season when she was 18 years old. She went back to Texas and got a driver's license, but her parents insisted she get a job while she was there. To make ends meet, Stone worked as an elf at a mall photo studio with Santa Claus.

A few years later, Stone contracted type 1 diabetes at the age of 20, which forced her to spend several years in and out of hospitals. This experience led her to pursue a nursing degree, and she eventually became a nurse. During the pandemic, Stone reflected on how her experiences had given her perspective and helped her keep things in perspective.

Stone now advises young actors to not sweat the small stuff, saying 'You do not know how much time you have.' She credits her experiences with giving her the right perspective to put entertainment industry drama into perspective.