 Greenwald ensured that each Russo sibling was provided with "their own strengths and weaknesses".Before being cast as the lead character "Wizards of Waverly Place", Gomez's previous auditions for Disney Channel, who discovered the actress during a national talent search, had earned her recurring roles on the network's sitcoms "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" and "Hannah Montana" as Gwen and Mikayla, respectively.According to AllMusic biographer Matt Collar, these minor television roles eventually "paved the way for Gomez's own show".