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Vanessa Hudgens
Playing Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical films.
High School Musical · Spring Breakers
- Born
- 14 December 1988
- Birthplace
- Salinas, California, United States
More people
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens is an American actress and singer who became widely known through Disney’s High School Musical. She subsequently worked in independent film, live television musicals and Broadway.
Early life
California childhood
Grew up in California and began appearing in musical theatre as a child.
Professional auditions
Moved from local productions into commercials and television work.
Career
- 2003
Film debut
Appeared in the coming-of-age drama Thirteen.
- 2006–2008
Disney breakthrough
Led High School Musical with Zac Efron and released two albums.
- 2010s
Broader roles
Took on independent films and made her Broadway debut in Gigi.
- 2016 onwards
Live musicals
Performed in televised productions including Grease Live! and Rent: Live.
Selected work
High School Musical
Played a new student balancing academic interests with singing.
Spring Breakers
Joined a darker film about a group of students on holiday.
Tick, Tick... Boom!
Appeared in the adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s musical.
Beyond work
Family heritage
Has a Filipino mother and has spoken publicly about reconnecting with that heritage.
Marriage
Married baseball player Cole Tucker in 2023.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Photo: Toglenn. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
