I remember being 13 years old, but unlike this friend group, I was in 9th grade and not 7th grade.

But very much like them, it was hard for me to find my place in the world. Being a tween is especially difficult in this day and age because of how diverse the world is. It can be painful to be different because you may feel like the only person in the world who is just like you.

I think this is why I love the show, "Andi Mack" on Disney channel.

It shows the struggles of a highly diverse group of kids and specifically addresses how they each handle their own uniqueness. Yes, the show is a little cheesy at time, but I appreciate both the drama and comedy of this tween hit. "Andi Mack" is currently Disney’s number one viewed show.

I think this is because tweens relate, and adults have nostalgia watching the show while also wishing that they had a show like "Andi Mack" growing up.

Without spoiling the show, I’ll convince you why you should either watch the show or at least appreciate Disney’s most diverse TV show yet. This piece will contain a few spoilers but it will not ruin each episode. Also, by watching any trailers, commercials or news stories about "Andi Mack," you will have heard about this information.

"Andi Mack" is also the name of the main character who just turned 13. On her birthday, her incredibly older sister comes to visit Andi. Andi learns from her sister, Bex, that Bex is actually her teen mother. Andi’s grandma raised her as her own because Bex was sent away after giving birth. Soon, Bex takes Andi back and raises her alone. Andi also comes from a mixed raised family of Chinese and Caucasian.

Andi continues to ask Bex, her grandmother and grandfather about who her biological father is and why everything was a secret. Only 17% of USA couples marry outside their race and only 2% of teenagers give birth to children. While Andi’s case is rare, many children going through similar situations can relate.

Even if you can’t relate to Andi’s family, her personality and other problems are situations we have all been through. Or, at least one can learn about diverse families and how to treat diverse children with respect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dunEfWGTbcg

Iconic Andi Mack trailer!

While balancing her new family life, Andi deals with bullying from a 9th-grade girl named Amber. Amber is jealous that Andi and her trio group of friends, who are 7th graders, are close to Jonah, who is Amber’s 8th-grade boyfriend. Jonah is also manipulated by Amber’s bullying and is pressured to change himself for Amber.

Andi has a crush on her friend Jonah but soon put those feelings aside to help her friend get out of a bad relationship. The show, Andi Mack, shows what teenage-unhealthy relationships can look like. Even as young as 13, teens can be forced into abusive relationships. Andi’s, Jonah’s, and Amber’s love-triangle also has other dynamics to it that people can relate to and learn from.

Much is not known about Jonah’s life outside of school. I love Jonah’s character though because he teaches kids that being popular does not mean you have to be a bully. In many tween dramas, the most popular boy is a jock who bullies kids. Jonah is popular because he is kind to all.

Jonah is the positive light in times of darkness on the show. He takes time to show Andi how to play frisbee on the pilot episode. He then encourages her to play on his ultimate frisbee team. When his girlfriend Amber bullies Andi and her trio friend group, Jonah stands up for Andi.

He also accepts Andi’s friends right away when meeting them. I could share more, but it would spoil the show. Even though Jonah can be annoyingly perfect, you’ll appreciate him for how kind he is to others.

One of my favorite characters is Cyrus, who is part of Andi’s trio. Prior to the pilot, Cyrus and Andi were best friends, along with Buffy. Cyrus is Jewish and has two divorced parents that both remarried. It is currently unknown if he has any siblings, half-siblings, or stepsiblings.

What’s most interesting is throughout the first season, he gets a girlfriend, but obviously likes Jonah. Yes, this is a big spoiler but it is literally the biggest story about Disney right now! Plus, by the pilot, you can tell this. Cyrus does not acknowledge this until the season premiere of season 2. Cyrus is Disney’s first canon gay main character.

While Cyrus does not use the term “gay” he clearly admits to having a crush on a boy. Buffy is his support friend, who tells him not to be scare, and he is not different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoO6uE8Gbfs

The iconic coming out scene: Cyrus coming out to Buffy is the Season 2 premiere.

Last of the trio friend group is Buffy. She also has been friends with Andi and Cyrus prior to the pilot. Buffy is African American and is told to change her curly hair because it was distracting to people. Buffy has many more interesting storylines, but it would be spoilers. Her character is not as diverse but I hope in season 2, more will be done with her character.

We can learn a lot from her though because she is a very supportive friend. Also, her mother is away at seas because she has some part in the military. Not more is known about Buffy’s life, but she truly is a lovable character and friend.

I have much more to say about Andi’s family since they have big parts on the show! But those would be more spoilers. All I will leave you with is that this diverse show becomes less about how they are different, and more about how relatable they can be. It is highly rated, highly viewed, and adults can learn so much from these tweens.

Please, give the show a try!