Issue Date: January 28, 2007
How Vanessa Hudgens went to the top of the class
The fetching female lead of TV's megahit "High School Musical," is the next big teen star
By Jerry Ross
Curled up on an outdoor chaise at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, Vanessa Hudgens is about to scarf down a salad during a brief meal break. How brief? Here, she describes an average day, all in one breath: "Wake up, head to rehearsals, usually skipping breakfast, rehearse from noon to 9, go home, eat, do some schoolwork, then sleep for five or six hours before doing it again." Whew. The waifish actress-singer with the anime eyes cracks a smile as if to add, "Fasten your seat belt -- enjoy the ride."
Hudgens, 18, seems in no hurry to grow up too quickly.
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And what a ride it has been. Hudgens' first album, V, debuted last fall in the Top 25, chock-full of catchy dance-pop music. Life is on a fast track for the 18-year-old, thanks to her role in last year's most unlikely megahit: a family-friendly Disney Channel movie with the generic title of "High School Musical."
Following its premiere, this wholesome telefilm snowballed into a smash among kids. The show's multiple spinoffs proved more spectacular: Its soundtrack was 2006's top-selling CD, the DVD set a first-week sales record for TV movies, and a paperback adaptation became a best seller. In late November, Hudgens joined the rest of the "HSM" cast for a national tour that ends in L.A. this weekend. "It was something new," says Hudgens, explaining why youngsters latched onto "HSM." "I grew up doing musical theater. But most kids my age haven't seen too many musicals, and this one was hip."
Hudgens' sudden success is testimony to the power of tweens -- those fad-loving, fashion-forward kids caught between childhood and adolescence. Not even old enough to hold jobs, tweens spent $51 billion last year, according to market research firm 360 Youth. Theirs is a multi-tasking world of Razr phones, iPod Nanos and MySpace pages. A bit tech-obsessed herself, Hudgens (aka "Baby V") spends every spare moment maniacally thumbing away on her colorfully decorated Sidekick, chatting virtually. "I'm a text fiend," she says. "First thing in the morning, I check my phones."
Her slightly exotic looks are in sharp contrast to previous goldilocked Disney child stars. With Filipino, Irish and Native American bloodlines, Hudgens occasionally "struggled with her ethnicity," says mom Gina, "losing jobs to blue-eyed, blond girls 99% of the time."
After a decade in local theater, the indie film "Thirteen" and the fantasy flop "Thunderbirds," tryouts for other Disney projects didn't pan out. By early 2005, Hudgens was zoning out on bad TV and Cheetos. But casting agents remembered her. "She gave smart, engaging readings," says Disney talent VP Judy Taylor, who didn't discover Hudgens' musical ability until the "HSM" auditions, when she sang a "glorious" version of Jessica Simpson's single "Angels." Hundreds competed for the female lead; Hudgens aced it.
Tonight, Hudgens is doing a promotional appearance for Glade air fresheners at a slumber party attended by giddy teenage girls. Walking to the party suite at the Hollywood Roosevelt, she's treated like visiting royalty. One minute she's demure and humble, the next she's hamming it up like a pro. "She's a big girl in a little girl's body," says one gigglepuss about her idol's mature demeanor. Hudgens signs autographs, vamps for photos and has karaoke fun belting out "Hollaback Girl." OK, she's no Gwen Stefani, but she's got her attitude down and does a mean hip twirl.
With only two teenage years left, Hudgens seems in no hurry to grow up too fast. She has watched Disney alums turn from sweet to steamy and become tabloid cartoons in the process. "You can step away from what you're known as," she says, "but that doesn't mean you have to take off your clothes and shake your butt."
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"High School Musical 2" preview
Yes, there's life after high school -- especially for the creative team behind "High School Musical." Vanessa Hudgens will reprise her role as pretty young brainiac Gabriella and reunite with b-ball-playing jock Troy (Zak Efron) for an August 2007 sequel.
"High School Musical 2" brings back Ashley Tisdale as the catty Sharpay and Lucas Grabeel as her brother Ryan, with veteran director-choreographer Kenny Ortega once again behind the camera. Filming begins this March back in Utah. Screenwriter Peter Barsocchini fashioned a mostly non-school setting this time. Basketball season has long ended, so the action takes place over the summer at a local country club, where Gabriella works as a lifeguard and the kids compete in a talent show.
"I'll probably wear the typical red one-piece bathing suit," reveals Hudgens, who's actually allergic to chlorine and only learned how to swim a few years ago. "It would be fun to have my character get a little more feisty."
She may get her chance. There is talk of a trilogy, with the third "HSM" possibly shot in 2008. "College Freshman Musical," anyone?
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