BIO

Vanessa Anne Hudgens, (also known simply as) Vanessa Hudgens, (born December 14, 1988 in Salinas, California) is an American actress and singer. She made her screen debut in 2003 and appeared in the Hollywood films Thirteen and Thunderbirds, before reaching fame in the 2006 hit Disney Channel film, High School Musical. Hudgens also began a music career and released her debut album, entitled V, in 2006. In 2007, Hudgens became the spokesperson for Neutrogena.

Early life

Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born on December 14, 1988; her younger sister, Stella Hudgens, is also an actress. She has been home-schooled since after her seventh-grade year at the Orange County High School of the Arts. Her parents are Greg Hudgens and Gina Guangco.[2] In regards to her ethnic background, Vanessa was quoted:

“Pretty much I’m Filipino and Caucasian, but within that, I’m Spanish, Chinese, American Indian, Irish.”[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.[4] Hudgens successfully auditioned for a commercial and subsequently moved to Los Angeles with her family, with whom she is still close.

Career

Film & television

Hudgens began performing at an early age, appearing in musicals starting at age eight, by taking over a friend who couldn’t go to the audition, and moved to Los Angeles after winning an audition for a commercial. She scored roles on shows such as Quintuplets, Cover Me, and Still Standing, then made her feature debut in Thirteen as Noel and appeared in the 2004 summer film Thunderbirds as Tintin. Her television appearances include guest roles on Quintuplets, Still Standing, The Brothers Garcia and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, as Corrie, a classmate of Maddie and London. Hudgens also appeared on Drake & Josh, playing Drake’s girlfriend, Rebecca. Vanessa was only 16 at the time.

Hudgens’ largest role among teenage audiences has been starring in the Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical, which premiered in January 2006; BBC News specified that the film’s success turned Hudgens into a “household name” in North America.[5] Hudgens and Efron had won “Best Chemistry” award at the Teen Choice Awards for their roles.[6]

As a result of the film’s popularity, Hudgens was offered a contract by Old Navy to appear in multiple commercials for the company. Hudgens had previously appeared in a swimwear commercial for the company in 2005.[7] She also appeared in a Blockbuster commercial for no late fees, as the teenage daughter. Also, Hudgens is set to be the new face of Neutrogena in 2007, appearing in both film and print ads. Vanessa also is the endorser of the line Ecko. Hudgens participated in the Disney Channel Games 2006, which was filmed in April 2006 and aired two months later. However, Hudgens will not be participating in the Disney Channel Games 2007.

Hudgens finished filming High School Musical 2 on April 13, 2007, in St. George and Salt Lake City, Utah. In both films, Hudgens stars as shy, intelligent Gabriella Montez. The film premiered on the Disney Channel on August 17, 2007.

The First HSM spawned a hit soundtrack, a worldwide concert tour, a show at Walt Disney World, and even a book series that helped Vanessa land in the “Top 10 List of Forbes magazine’s top-earning stars under 21.”

In the list, the 18-year-old Vanessa was No. 7 with estimated earnings of $2 million. She was tied with Hayden Panettiere of the hit TV series “Heroes,” and ahead of Abigail Breslin of “Little Miss Sunshine” ($1.5 million).

The list was topped by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, 20, ($40 million combined), Daniel Radcliffe, 17 ($13 million); Lindsay Lohan, 21, ($6 million), Dakota Fanning, 13 ($4 million) and Amanda Bynes, 20 ($2.5 million).

Music

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!

“Let Go” and “Let’s Dance” have both been used in commercials for ABC, Let Go for a Desperate Housewives commercial,[8] and Let’s Dance for Dancing With The Stars. “Say OK” has also been used in commercials for ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights.

Hudgens has stated that she is interested in recording a second album sometime soon. In an August 2007 issue of TV Guide magazine, with the cast of High School Musical on the cover, Hudgens expressed interest in writing songs about the negative side of Hollywood and how it can change people.

In August 2007 at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards, Hudgens was named the Choice Breakout Singer – Female, beating out other noteworthy nominees including American Idol contestant Katherine McPhee, Amy Winehouse, Corrine Bailey Rae and Lily Allen, who all have a decidedly older sound with their music.

Personal life

Hudgens confirmed in an interview with Teen Magzine that she is currently dating her High School Musical and High School Musical 2 co-star Zac Efron.[9][10]

On September 6, 2007, controversy erupted after nude photos of Hudgens surfaced online. A statement from her publicist claims that the photos were taken privately and it was “unfortunate” that they were released on the Internet.[11]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Still Standing Tiffany Episode: “Still Rocking”
Robbery Homicide Division Nicole at 10 Episode: “Had”
2003 Thirteen Noel
The Brothers Garcia Lindsey Episode: “New Tunes”
2004 Thunderbirds Tintin
2005 Quintuplets Carmen Episode: “Coconut Kapow”
2006 High School Musical Gabriella Montez Disney Channel Original Movie
Drake & Josh Becca Episode: “Little Sibling”
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Corrie Episodes: Kept Man, Neither a Borrower Nor a Speller Bee, Not So Suite 16, Forever Plaid
2007 High School Musical 2 Gabriella Montez Disney Channel Original Movie

Discography

Albums
Album information
V

* Released:
September 26, 2006 (U.S.)
December 4, 2006 (UK)
October 10, 2006 (CAN)
December 26, 2006 (FR),
March 17, 2007 (AUS)
* Label: Hollywood Records
* Peak U.S. Billboard: #24 (U.S.)
* U.S. sales: 510,000+
* RIAA certification: Gold
* Official singles:
o 2006: “Come Back to Me”
o 2007: “Say OK”

Soundtracks
Album information
High School Musical Soundtrack

* Released: January 10, 2006 (U.S.)
* Label: Walt Disney Records
* Peak U.S. Billboard: #1 (U.S.)
* U.S. sales: 4,000,000+
* RIAA certification: 4× platinum
o 2006: “Breaking Free”
o 2006: “Start of Something New”
o 2006: “We’re All in This Together”
o 2006: “What I’ve Been Looking For (Reprise)”
o 2006: “When There Was Me and You”
o 2006: “I Can’t Take My Eyes off of You”

Album information
High School Musical 2 Soundtrack

* Released: August 14, 2007 (U.S.)
* Label: Walt Disney Records
* Peak U.S. Billboard: #1 (U.S.)
* U.S sales: 1,200,000 (as of Sept 08 07)[12]
* RIAA certification: 1× platinum
o 2007: “What Time Is It?”
o 2007: “You Are The Music In Me”
o 2007: “Gotta Go My Own Way”
o 2007: “Everyday”
o 2007: “All For One”
o 2007: “Work This Out”
o 2007: “I Don’t Dance”

Singles
Year Title Album Chart positions[13][14]
U.S. UK AUS ARC NZ IRE GER FRE SPA[15]
2006 “Breaking Free”
(Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens) High School Musical OST 4 9 13 — 1 1 46 — 3
“Start of Something New”
(Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens) 28 — — — — — — — —
“What I’ve Been Looking For (Reprise)”
(Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens) 67 — — — — — — — —
“We’re All in This Together”
(featuring High School Musical Cast) 34 4 86 — 1 3 — — —
“Stick to the Status Quo”
(featuring High School Musical Cast) 43 74 — — — — — — —
“When There Was Me and You” 72 — — — — — — — —
“Come Back to Me” V 55 — 36 6 — 58 12 17
2007 “Say OK” 61 — TBR TBR TBR TBR
“What Time Is It?” High School Musical 2 Soundtrack 6 20 TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR
“You Are The Music In Me”
(with Zac Efron) 38 TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR
“Gotta Go My Own Way”
(with Zac Efron) 60 TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR
“Everyday”
(with Zac Efron) 90 TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR TBR

Other songs

* 2007: “Colors of the Wind” from DisneyMania, Vol.5
* 2007: “Still There for Me”, a duet with Corbin Bleu from Another Side, Bleu’s debut album
* 2008: “Home” (from Beauty and the Beast)

Footnotes

1. ^ http://www.neutrogena.com/vanessa.asp
2. ^ http://news.corporate.findlaw.com. Vanessa Hudgens and father Greg Hudgens- Rubik’s Revolution. Retrieved on July 20, 2007.
3. ^ TeenHollywood. Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens: High School Musical. Retrieved on January 6, 2007.
4. ^ myspace.com/vanessahudgens. Vanessa Hudgens Official Myspace (biography). Retrieved on July 20, 2007.
5. ^ BBC News. UK debut for hit High School film. Retrieved on October 3, 2006.
6. ^ Businesswire.com. Vanessa Hudgens will tour with the Cheetah Girls. Retrieved on July 28, 2006.
7. ^ Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa Hudgens’ Old Navy Commercial. Retrieved on September 26, 2006.
8. ^ [1]
9. ^ “Vanessa Hudgens: ‘I’m A Good Kid'”, CBS News, 2007-08-30.
10. ^ COVER STORY SNEAK PEEK: Zac & Vanessa’s Real-Life Romance, People.com, 2007-08-22.
11. ^ “Vanessa Hudgens Nude Photo: “It Is Unfortunate This Has Become Public””, 2007-09-06. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
12. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003635057
13. ^ http://www.musicsquare.net/ Must search either High School Musical Cast, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, or Vanessa Hudgens to receive all of her credited songs. Retrieved: January 6, 2006
14. ^ http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/12-23.htm ARC Position for “Come Back to Me”
15. ^ Promusicae Spain

External links

* Vanessa Anne Hudgens at the Internet Movie Database
* Vanessa Hudgens Official MySpace
* Vanessa Hudgens Official Site
* http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/23/celebrities-hollywood-earnings-tech-ent_cz_0226youngstars.html