VANESSA
VANESSA
Biography
Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born, December 14, 1988 in Salinas, California, the daughter of Gina (née Guangco) and Greg Hudgens. She has a sister, Stella Theodora Hudgens (born November 13, 1995, San Diego).
Vanessa’s father is an American of Irish and Native American descent, and her mother, who grew up in Manila, is of Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese descent. Vanessa has been home-schooled since after her seventh-grade year at the Orange County High School of the Arts.
Starting at the age of eight, Vanessa performed in musical theatre as a singer and actress, and appeared in local productions of Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, The Music Man, When the Grinch Stole Christmas and Cinderella, among others. She got her first gig when her friend couldn’t go to an audition for a commercial and asked if Vanessa could go.
The recognition Vanessa received quickly brought her to the screen. She made her feature film debut in Catherine Hardwicke’s Thirteen starring Holly Hunter and Evan Rachel Wood in 2003. Soon thereafter, in 2004, she co-starred in the action-adventure film, Thunderbirds. Her television credits include appearances on Quintuplets, Brothers Garcia, Still Standing and Robbery Homicide Division.
In 2005, at loose ends and looking for a new project, Vanessa auditioned for the role of Gabriella Montez in the Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical, where she met her boyfriend, Zac Efron, who starred opposite her as Troy Bolton.
High School Musical was a runaway success, spawning a hit soundtrack, a worldwide concert tour, a show at Walt Disney World, and even a book series. High School Musical was Vanessa’s first project with Disney and with its success; she went on in 2006 to cover the song, Colors Of The Wind for Disney mania 5 album and guest star in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (episode title – Forever Plaid), as Corrie. She also appeared on Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh, playing Drake’s girlfriend, Rebecca.
Vanessa officially signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records on June 2006. Her debut album, entitled V, was released in late September 2006 and was certified Gold on February 27, 2007.
She reprised her role as Gabriella in High School Musical 2, which premiered on the Disney Channel in August 2007. That same month, Vanessa was named Choice Breakout Singer at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards. She also landed commercial contracts with companies like Neutrogena and Mark Ecko.
In September 2007, some of Vanessa’s personal photos, taken before she got involved with Disney and HSM fame, including one of her nude, were leaked onto the Internet, generating a lot of controversy. She immediately issued an apology to fans, regretting that photos meant to be private were made public, and put the incident behind her.
Her sophomore album, Identified, was released July 1, 2008 and she went on to reprise her role as Gabriella for the third time in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which premiered in October 2008.
Vanessa was included in People’s annual 100 Most Beautiful People list in May 2008 and won Choice Hottest Female at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards. She secured a commercial contract with Sears that same month.
She is set to star in the Todd Graff’s dramedy, Bandslam with David Bowie and Lisa Kudrow. The movie is set to premiere July 31, 2009.
“[She] understood immediately what I was trying to do with the movie and has the acting chops to pull it off; her dancing background gives her the physicality to be an action star; and let’s face it, she is also beautiful.”— Zack Snyder, Sucker Punch
I’m lucky to have been able to spend the last few years watching her grow up and mature. She’s an amazing and wonderful person. We both laugh a lot just like our Filipino families.— Charles “Chucky” Klapow
She continues to amaze me in the way that she grows as an actress. This girl can dance. This girl can sing. This girl can act. She’s funny, she’s everything. She’s a real leading lady— Kenny Ortega
She is, as a person, feisty and spirited and winning, and these are all characteristics the character has. She has this fiery inside that comes out when she’s tested— Daniel Barnz, Director: “Beastly”, Montreal Gazette
She just glows, so sweet. Vanessa just has the internal twinkle in her eye. The poise that Vanessa shows at her young age is remarkable. She has her feet firmly on the ground— Alyson Reed
She’s a beautiful young girl. For me, it must have been what it felt like to have Natalie Wood in front of your camera. She’s so exquisite! Also, she’s quite shy, gentle and sweet. She has a kind of fragility— Kenny Ortega
She’s easy to talk to, very kind, sweet and she has a great sense of humor. When you combine that with an amazing voice and her beauty, you’re going to have a star. She’s amazing to work with— Zac Efron
Vanessa got this welcoming personality that is very bubbly. She just makes you feel good!— Bubba Lewis
Vanessa is the most naturally gifted in picking up the new moves— Charles “Chucky” Klapow
Loading ...
Social Profile
Follow us in these Social Networks