Nothing Mickey Mouse about Maia Maia Mitchell is set to ride a wave of success after Teen Beach Movie. MAIA Mitchell, billed as "Australia's first ever true Disney star," is the perfect fit for her starring role in Teen Beach Movie. The Disney Channel's biggest film release for the year is a high-energy song, sand and surf adventure set inside a retro beach party movie in which Mitchell sings, dances and rides waves to impressive effect in the role of McKenzie. But the Lismore-raised 22-year-old, who has been based in the US for 18 months, is taking the "Disney star" hype in her stride. "I am trying to not pay too much attention to that stuff and just try to do the best job I can," Mitchell says. I have watched the film and it's very sweet - about following your heart and your gut. I'm very proud of the movie. It's so clever. I love the classic beach movies and this brings modern values and ethics to a crazy genre. Because Disney is so protective of its "family friendly" reputation, producers checked deeply into Mitchell's background to ensure she was right for the brand. She has since worked on drama series The Fosters, in which she plays Callie Jacob, a girl with "two mums." "There hasn't been a show before about a lesbian or gay couple where that hasn't been a running theme," Mitchell says. It's really cool and has been really well received. Asked if she's a supporter of same-sex marriage, Mitchell adds: "I believe in equality and that love is love. I grew up in a place where friends had two mums or two dads, so it's a no-brainer for me.