Vanessa Anne Hudgens (born December 14, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She made her debut in 2003 appearing in the Hollywood films Thirteen and Thunderbirds, before reaching fame in 2006 after appearing in the Disney Channel film High School Musical hit series. Hudgens began a music career and released her debut album, V, in 2006. Her sophomore album, Identified, was released July 1, 2008. //

Early life

Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, the daughter of Gina (née Guangco) and Greg Hudgens.[2][3] She has a younger sister, Stella Hudgens. Hudgens's father is an American of Irish and Native American descent, and her mother, who grew up in Manila, is a Filipino-born of Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese descent.[4][3] Hudgens has been home-schooled since after her seventh-grade year at the Orange County High School of the Arts.[3] Starting at the age of eight, Hudgens performed in musical theater as a singer, and appeared in local productions of Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, The Music Man, and Cinderella, among others.[5]

[edit] Acting career

[edit] Film and television

Hudgens debuted in Thirteen as Noel and appeared in the 2004 film Thunderbirds as Tintin and appearances include guest roles on Quintuplets, Still Standing, The Brothers García and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, as Corrie. Hudgens also appeared on Drake & Josh, playing Drake's girlfriend, Rebecca. Hudgens' largest role among teenage audiences has been starring in the Disney Channel movie series High School Musical and High School Musical 2, starring as the shy, intelligent student Gabriella Montez. Hudgens and Efron had won "Best Chemistry" award at the Teen Choice Awards for their roles.[6] The first High School Musical spawned a hit soundtrack, a worldwide concert tour, a show at Walt Disney World, and even a book series that helped Hudgens land in Forbes magazine's list of top-earning stars under 21." In the list, the 18-year-old Hudgens was No. 7 with estimated earnings of $2 million.[7] Hudgens will reprise the role in the upcoming High School Musical 3: Senior Year, scheduled for release on October 24, 2008. On January 11, 2008, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Hudgens would star in the comedy, Will (now Rock On), alongside Gaelan Connell, Alyson Michalka, and Lisa Kudrow. Hudgens will play 15-year old Sam. Hudgens was also to have starred in Prom Night but turned down the offer to work on her music. Brittany Snow was offered the role instead.[8]

[edit] Music career

[edit] V (2006-2007)

Hudgens' debut album, entitled V, was released in early September 2006. She is signed with Hollywood Records, a Disney-owned record label. A music video for her first single, "Come Back To Me", debuted after the world premiere of The Cheetah Girls 2 in late August. The official music video for her second single, "Say OK", was first shown following the premiere of Disney's Jump In!. In August 2007 at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards, Hudgens was named the Choice Breakout Singer - Female.[9]

[edit] Identified (2008)

Hudgens new album is titled Identified. The first single from her new album, titled, "Sneakernight", premiered on Radio Disney on April 11, 2008.

[edit] Personal life

Hudgens confirmed, in an interview with Teen Magazine as of October 2007, that she is dating her High School Musical series co-star Zac Efron .[10][11] In an interview, Hudgens' publicist stated that her music video for "Say OK" was their official "come-out" as a couple.

[edit] Nude photo controversy

On September 6, 2007, controversy erupted after provocative photos of Hudgens surfaced online. Two showed her posing in suggestive lingerie, and another showed her nude. A statement from her publicist claims that the photo was taken privately and it was "unfortunate" that they were released on the Internet.[12] Hudgens later apologized, saying that she was "embarrassed over the situation" and regretted having "taken [those] photos."[13] Disney Channel spokeswoman Patti McTeague indicated that Disney will still be working with Hudgens, stating, "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment. We hope she's learned a valuable lesson."[14][15]

[edit] Filmography

Year Title Role Notes

2003	Thirteen	Noel
2004	Thunderbirds	Tintin	Science fiction-adventure film
2005	Quintuplets	Carmen	Episode "Coconut Kapow"
2006	The Suite Life of Zack & Cody	Corrie	4 episodes, made by Disney Channel.
	High School Musical	Gabriella Montez	Made by Disney Channel.
2007	High School Musical 2	Gabriella Montez	Made by Disney Channel.
2008	Bandslam	Sam	Finished
	High School Musical 3: Senior Year	Gabriella Montez	Will be released by Walt Disney Pictures October 24, 2008.

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