Film and 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 film Thunderbirds as Tintin. In both her first two films Hudgens appeared alongside Brady Corbet.

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.

High School Musical

Hudgens’ largest role among teenage audiences has been starring in the Disney Channel movie High School Musical, staring as the shy, intelligent student Gabriella Montez. The show premiered in January 2006; BBC News said that the film’s success turned Hudgens into a “household name” in North America. Hudgens and Efron had won “Best Chemistry” award at the Teen Choice Awards for their roles.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.

Hudgens reprised her role in High School Musical 2 on April 13, 2007, in St. George and Salt Lake City, Utah. The film premiered on the Disney Channel on August 17, 2007

As a result of the first 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. 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. Hudgens is also an endorser of the Ecko line. Hudgens participated in the Disney Channel Games 2006, which was filmed in April 2006 and aired two months later.

On January 11, 2008, The Hollywood Reporter announced that that Hudgens will star in the comedy, Will. Hudgens will play 15-year old Sam. The story is about an outcast, Sam, and a popular girl who develop mutual bond through their love of music. The duo gather up their friends to form a rock group to compete in the school’s battle of the bands. Shooting is stated to start in February in Austin, Texas. Hudgens will still be in the third installment of High School Musical, even while filming Will.

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.

Despite early speculation that Vanessa would be dropped from High School Musical 3 due to her public photo scandal , Disney denied the reports, saying, “Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment. We hope she’s learned a valuable lesson.”

It was reported by OK! Magazine that due to her nude scandal Vanessa would be replaced by Adrienne Bailon or Sabrina Bryan from the Cheetah Girls in HSM3, but Access Hollywood has confirmed that the cast is still in negotiations and Vanessa will not be cut from High School Musical 3. Vanessa’s rep. quoted “Totally untrue. It is an old rumor,” the rep told Access. “OK! Magazine never bothered to fact check with me but they did call Disney who said it wasn’t true, but yet OK! ran it anyway. Apparently OK! Magazine was having a slow news day.”