46 facts about Vanessa Hudgens

Hudgens rose to prominence playing Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series. Learn 46 facts about actress Vanessa Hudgens.

1. Her middle name is Anne.

2. She is an American actress and singer.

3. Hudgens rose to prominence playing Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical series.

4. Hudgens has also appeared in various films and television series for the Disney Channel.

5. She had her feature film debut in the 2003 film Thirteen, a teenage drama in which Hudgens had a supporting role.

6. She had mainstream success following the release of the High School Musical trilogy.

7. Was in relationship with co-star Zac Efron.

8. Her appearance in the series helped make her a household name. Songs from the films also charted worldwide, with the song "Breaking Free" peaking inside the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

9. Hudgens released her debut album, V, on September 26, 2006 which entered the Billboard 200 at number 24, and was later certified gold.

10. Her second album, Identified, was released on July 1, 2008 in the United States.

11. Since the release of her albums and the High School Musical franchise, Hudgens has focused on her acting career.

12. She has appeared in the films Bandslam, Beastly, Sucker Punch, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Spring Breakers, and Machete Kills.

13. She has also played the title role in the Broadway musical Gigi in 2015, and the role of Rizzo in Grease: Live in 2016.

14. Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, and lived with her parents along the West Coast, from Oregon to Southern California.

15. Her mother, Gina, held a succession of office jobs.

16. Her father, Gregory Hudgens, was a firefighter.

17. She has a younger sister, Stella Hudgens.

18. Her sister is also an actress.

19. She was raised as a Roman Catholic.

20. Her father was of Irish and Native American descent.

21. Her mother, a native of Manila, Philippines, is of Filipino-Chinese-Spanish descent.

22. All of her grandparents were musicians.

23. 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.

24. Two years after her career in stage plays and musicals, she started auditioning for commercials and television shows, and her family moved to Los Angeles after she won a role in a television commercial.

25. Her acting career started at the age of 15, and she briefly attended Orange County High School of the Arts, followed by homeschooling with tutors.

26. Hudgens had her first acting role in an episode of the sitcom Still Standing, in which she portrayed Tiffany.

27. Following her appearance on the series Still Standing, she guest starred in an episode of the series Robbery Homicide Division, airing on CBS in 2002.

28. 2003 saw Hudgens making her theatrical debut in the 2003 drama film Thirteen, in which she had the supporting role of Noel. The film, which revolved around teenager Tracy trying to fit in and getting caught up in the wrong crowd, was somewhat of a commercial success, grossing $10 million worldwide. Despite its minor commercial success, the film received positive critical reviews.

29. In 2005, Hudgens was cast as Gabriella Montez, one of the lead roles in the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical. The film saw Hudgens portraying the new girl at high school who falls for the captain of the basketball team. The two later reveal a passion for singing, and audition for the school play together. Hudgens starred alongside Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale in the film, the former of which she was partnered up with during the auditioning process due to their "chemistry".

30. Hudgens began a relationship with High School Musical co-star Zac Efron in 2005. The couple became a frequent target for the media, and in turn the BBC predicted that Hudgens would be a "household name" in the US. They ended their relationship in December 2010.

31. Hudgens is very close friends with actress Ashley Tisdale, whom she met when they both starred in the film High School Musical.

32. Hudgens was a bridesmaid at Tisdale's wedding on September 8, 2014.

33. Hudgens has been in a relationship with actor Austin Butler since 2011.

34. She was included in People's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" 2008 and 2009 lists.

35. Hudgens promotes Neutrogena and was the 2008 featured celebrity for Sears' back-to school campaign.

36. In 2007, she became a spokesperson for Mark Ecko products but ended the contract after two years.

37. Hudgens regularly volunteers for charitable activities, including those for Best Buddies International, Lollipop Theater Network, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

38. Hudgens is also featured in A Very Special Christmas Vol.7 disc which benefits the Special Olympics.

39. Hudgens is also part of the "Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C): Change The Odds" along with other Hollywood stars including Zac Efron, Dakota Fanning, Kristen Bell, and others.

40. Zac Efron stars in her music video called 'Say Ok'.

41. She can't whistle.

42. Carrots are not her favorite vegetable.

43. Her nicknames are nicknames of Nessa, V, and Van.

44. Is a big fan of actress Natalie Wood.

45. When she auditioned for "High School Musical," she auditioned with the song sang by Jessica Simpso titled "Angels."

46. Alicia Keys and Celine Dion are her favorite singers.