In January 2006, our whole lives were #shookt when High School Musical came out. The TV musical followed Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, who come from different cliques. They secretly audition for a school musical, and prove that they shouldn’t “stick to the status quo.” It taught us to pursue our dreams, love who we want, and the lyrics to “We’re All in This Together.”
The musical spawned a series of sequels (with an upcoming fourth installment) and made stars out of the young actors.
Let’s take a look at what the cast looked like 10 years ago compared to now:
Zac Efron starred in a series of films prior to High School Musical, but it was his role as the athlete Troy Bolton that catapulted him to international stardom. Since then, he has done Hairspray, 17 Again, The Lorax, Neighbors, and the upcoming Baywatch. And oh, puberty hit him really hard
Like Efron, Vanessa Hudgens skyrocketed to fame for her role as Gabriella Montez. Since then, she has starred in Beastly, Sucker Punch, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, and Spring Breakers
Ashley Tisdale was so loved as Sharpay Evans that she even had her own spin-off movie called Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure. After her run as the East High School diva, Tisdale did Aliens in the Attic, Scary Movie 5, and the upcoming Charming. And oh, Tisdale was in the successful The Suite Life of Zack & Cody TV show
Equally fabulous is Sharpay’s brother Ryan, played by Lucas Grabeel. He’s done a few TV shows and TV movies, and he graduated to bigger roles after High School Musical. He starred in Milk, and he now has a leading role in the TV show Switched at Birth
Corbin Bleu’s Chad Danforth is the resident dancer, and he danced his way to bigger TV roles after High School Musical. He’s done episodes for Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, Hannah Montana, Phineas and Ferb, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, and Castle. He was also on Dancing with the Stars!
Gabriella’s best friend is Taylor McKessie, played by Monique Coleman. After High School Musical, Coleman appeared on Dancing with the Stars and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. She is more active behind-the-scenes: she is first UN Youth Champion for the International Year of Youth, and she went around the world to empower youth
Who’s your favorite HSM character? Share your thoughts below!
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