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. She is currently a Neutrogena spokesperson.

Early life

Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, the daughter of Gina (née Guangco) and Greg Hudgens. 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.Hudgens has been home-schooled since after her seventh-grade year at the Orange County High School of the Arts.

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. She got her first gig when her friend couldn’t go to an audition for a commercial and asked if Vanessa could go.

Music career

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.^[6] Hudgens promoted the album when opening for The Cheetah Girls during their The Party’s Just Begun Tour, and then promoted on the High School Musical Tour. V debuted on the Billboard 200 in early October 2006 at number twenty-four on the chart, with 34,000 copies sold that week. The album has been certified Gold in the U.S. for reaching 500,000 copies shipped.

Identified (2008)

Hudgens’s new album is titled Identified. The first single from her new album, titled, “Sneakernight”, premiered on Radio Disney on April 11, 2008. On the first week of the release of her album, Identified sold more than 22,000 copies, 12,000 less than her first album, V. Though the album had poor number of sales on its first week, “Identified” received generally positive reviews from music critics. The New York Times gave the album a coveted positive review, praising the song “Gone With the Wind” as Hudgens best vocal performance.. Identified was released early in Japan, a week before the U.S. release. It had also been on Itunes‘ album chart and peaked at #10. On June 24, 2008, the album was leaked full at AOL Music’s album party premiere. On July 31, 2008, Hudgens started a 24-city tour inorder to promote her debut album, V and her sophomore album, Identified.On August 23, 2008, Radio Disney had a “Pick It or Kick It” listener poll for “Amazed”, which got an 80% pick. It’s now been added to their playlist. “Amazed” is #82 on iTunes Top Pop 100 songs while “Identified” is #26.

Acting career

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 (episode title - Forever Plaid), 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. 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 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, Bandslam , 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.

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.^] In an interview, Hudgens’ publicist stated that her music video for “Say OK” was their official “come-out” as a couple. At 2008, she was ranked as FHM’s 62nd Most Sexiest Woman and Maxim’s number 12 in their 100 Hot List.^[15]She was included in People magazine’s annual “100 Most Beautiful People” list in May 2008. She was also voted Bop Magazine’s 7th Hottest Star as Hot Breakout Star’

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