Sofia Carson Named Radio Disney's 'Next Big Thing'

Days following recording artist Sofia Carson's first broadcast performance of her debut single, "Love Is the Name" -- on Disney Channel's special, the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards -- she has been named Radio Disney's newest "NBT" (Next Big Thing). The 23-year-old singer and actress (Disney's "Descendants" and "Adventures in Babysitting") is signed to Hollywood Records and Republic Records. As an "NBT," she will be featured in Radio Disney's popular multi-platform program that champions young recording artists, showcasing their developing career and personal journey as they pursue their musical dreams.

In April, Carson released "Love Is the Name"; a rhythmic pop interpolation of the international hit "Live is Life" by Opus. She also recorded a version of the song featuring Latin Grammy Award-winner J Balvin. The single is now impacting Top 40 Radio.

Best known for starring as Evie in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Descendants," Carson was born and raised in Miami, Florida, before moving to California to study at the University of California, Los Angeles. She trained in vocal performance and dance since the age of three, and has received national accolades for voice, dance and musical theatre. The soundtrack for "Descendants" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200, and Carson's rendition of "Rotten to the Core" has been viewed over 61 million times on YouTube.

Carson also stars in the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie "Adventures In Babysitting," a contemporary re-imagined tale of the hugely popular 1980s blockbuster of the same name, premiering Friday, June 24 (8:00 p.m. EDT) on Disney Channel. She will also appear in the upcoming worldwide release of "Tini: El Gran Cambio de Violetta."

Radio Disney's "NBT" program will follow Carson in a series of videos on her journey launching her music career. These videos will be presented nationally on Radio Disney, Disney Channel, the Radio Disney app, RadioDisney.com and social media platforms. Featured artists are introduced throughout the year. Carson joins an impressive roster of "NBT" alum including Epic Records' Fifth Harmony, Island Records' Shawn Mendes, Black River Entertainment's Kelsea Ballerini, Hollywood Records' Bea Miller and Kemosabe/RCA Records' Becky G.

Photo Credit: Disney Channel/Image Group LA*