The cast of ‘High School Musical’ in 2006.Photo:Fred Hayes/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock
Fred Hayes/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock
It’s no secret that Disney’sHigh School Musicalhad millennials obsessed. Between song and dance numbers like “Get’cha Head in the Game,” “Stick to the Status Quo” and “Breaking Free,” the movie had us feeling like we could truly overcome our fears and conquer the world.Now, as its spinoff seriesHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesis wrapping its fourth and final season, it’s only right we take a look back at what the OGs have been up to. Read on to see whatZac Efron,Vanessa Hudgens,Ashley Tisdale,Corbin Bleuand the rest of the Wildcats have been up to since they left East High.
It’s no secret that Disney’sHigh School Musicalhad millennials obsessed. Between song and dance numbers like “Get’cha Head in the Game,” “Stick to the Status Quo” and “Breaking Free,” the movie had us feeling like we could truly overcome our fears and conquer the world.
Now, as its spinoff seriesHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesis wrapping its fourth and final season, it’s only right we take a look back at what the OGs have been up to. Read on to see whatZac Efron,Vanessa Hudgens,Ashley Tisdale,Corbin Bleuand the rest of the Wildcats have been up to since they left East High.
01of 09
Zac Efron as Troy Bolton
Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Everett ; Tommaso Boddi/WireImage
It’s hard to believe now, but the Disney Channel Original Movie was the now-heartthrob’s breakout role. Before playing Troy Bolton,Efronhad a few small parts on shows likeCSI: MiamiandThe Guardian, but he shot to fame followingHigh School Musical’s success. His gorgeous head of hair didn’t hurt.
Efron has starred in plenty of movies since, including the movie adaptation of the musicalHairspray(2007),The Greatest Showman(2017),Baywatch(2017) andExtremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile(2019), in which he played prolific serial killer Ted Bundy. He also starred alongside Ryan Kiera Armstrong in the 2022 remake of 1984’sFirestarter.
Efron will portray former pro wrestler Kevin Von Erich in the upcoming dramaThe Iron Claw.
02of 09
Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez
Fred Hayes/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Hudgens has stayed busy since herHigh School Musicaldays.She released two albums — 2006’sVand 2008’sIdentified— has acted on both television and in movies and performed on Broadway in the 2015 revival production ofGigi.
She has also become aNetflixleading lady, starring in holiday films such asThe Princess Switchfranchise (2018–2021) andThe Knight Before Christmas(2019), as well as 2021’sTick, Tick… BoomalongsideAndrew Garfield.
HudgensdatedherHigh School Musicalcostar Efron from 2006 to 2010. After theirsplit, HudgensdatedactorAustin Butlerfrom 2011 to 2020. She has beenlinked to MLB player Cole Tuckersince 2020; the pairannounced their engagementin February 2023.
03of 09Corbin Bleu as Chad DanforthFred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy: Everett Collection; Gabriel Olsen/GettyEven though hisHigh School Musicalcharacter did not approve of his best friend Troy’s theatrical pursuits, in real life,Bleuwent on to star in a number of Broadway productions:In the Heights(2010),Godspell(2012),Holiday Inn(2016) and the 2019 revival ofKiss Me, Kate.Bleu also showed off his dance moves onDancing with the Starsin 2013, where he made it to the finale and placed second.In 2022,Bleu returned to hisHSMrootswith a special appearance on season 3 of Disney+‘sHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series. He’ll beback for season 4.Speaking with PEOPLE in February 2023,Bleu revealed that going back to the fictional high school was surprisingly emotional, saying, “I did not expect the reaction that I had when walking back into East High,” he said. “Even when I first saw it, just driving up, I took my breath away and I was like, ‘Whoa. This is doing something to me. Why?’ ““It wasn’t until showing up there that all of these emotions came up,” he continued. “When I walked into the gym, that was actually when I started crying. I had so many life-changing special experiences in that room where we shot ‘Get’cha Head in the Game,’ where we shot ‘We’re All in This Together,’ where we had so many emotional, important scenes, crazy moments. It wasn’t until going back and just seeing it again going, ‘I can’t believe this.’ It really was gratitude.“The 34-year-old actor has beenmarried to Canadian actress Sasha Clementssince 2016.
03of 09
Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth
Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy: Everett Collection; Gabriel Olsen/Getty
Even though hisHigh School Musicalcharacter did not approve of his best friend Troy’s theatrical pursuits, in real life,Bleuwent on to star in a number of Broadway productions:In the Heights(2010),Godspell(2012),Holiday Inn(2016) and the 2019 revival ofKiss Me, Kate.
Bleu also showed off his dance moves onDancing with the Starsin 2013, where he made it to the finale and placed second.
In 2022,Bleu returned to hisHSMrootswith a special appearance on season 3 of Disney+‘sHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series. He’ll beback for season 4.
Speaking with PEOPLE in February 2023,Bleu revealed that going back to the fictional high school was surprisingly emotional, saying, “I did not expect the reaction that I had when walking back into East High,” he said. “Even when I first saw it, just driving up, I took my breath away and I was like, ‘Whoa. This is doing something to me. Why?’ "
“It wasn’t until showing up there that all of these emotions came up,” he continued. “When I walked into the gym, that was actually when I started crying. I had so many life-changing special experiences in that room where we shot ‘Get’cha Head in the Game,’ where we shot ‘We’re All in This Together,’ where we had so many emotional, important scenes, crazy moments. It wasn’t until going back and just seeing it again going, ‘I can’t believe this.’ It really was gratitude.”
The 34-year-old actor has beenmarried to Canadian actress Sasha Clementssince 2016.
04of 09
Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans
Fred Hayes/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock; Phillip Faraone/Getty
Tisdaleplayed Sharpay Evans, who was all about getting the most attention possible. BeforeHigh School Musical, Tisdale had already been acting onThe Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Her role as Sharpay earned her a spin-off movie,Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure(2011).
On top of acting, Tisdale has released three albums and launched her own beauty brand, Illuminate cosmetics. From 2019 to 2020, she starred alongsidePatricia HeatononCarol’s Second Act.
In 2014, Tisdalemarried musician Christopher French. They welcomed their first child,Jupiter Iris, in March 2021.
05of 09Lucas Grabeel as Ryan EvansFred Hayes/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock; Walt Disney Pictures/Kobal/ShutterstockGrabeel played second fiddle to Tisdale as Sharpay’s brother, Ryan Evans. Since the finalHSMfilm’s release, Grabeel has continued to act and starred in Freeform’sSwitched at Birth.He also voices animated characters on shows likeFamily Guy,Pinky MalinkyandElena of Avalor.He’s one of the few original cast members who made an appearance on the Disney+ showHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series.Ina sneak-peek clipfrom the first episode of the fourth and final season of the Disney+ show, Ryan’s sexuality wasfinally confirmedas the character was seen kissing another man.High School MusicaldirectorKenny Ortegapreviously spoke about shielding Ryan’s sexuality in the movies, admitting he was “concerned” about Disney’s and audiences’ reaction at the time.“I was concerned because it was family and kids, that Disney might not be ready to cross that line and move into that territory yet,” Ortega, 73, toldVarietyin 2020. “So, I just took it upon myself to make choices that I felt that those who were watching would grab.“He added, “They would see it, they would feel it, they would know it and they would identify with it. And that is what happened.”
05of 09
Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans
Fred Hayes/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock; Walt Disney Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock
Grabeel played second fiddle to Tisdale as Sharpay’s brother, Ryan Evans. Since the finalHSMfilm’s release, Grabeel has continued to act and starred in Freeform’sSwitched at Birth.
He also voices animated characters on shows likeFamily Guy,Pinky MalinkyandElena of Avalor.
He’s one of the few original cast members who made an appearance on the Disney+ showHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series.Ina sneak-peek clipfrom the first episode of the fourth and final season of the Disney+ show, Ryan’s sexuality wasfinally confirmedas the character was seen kissing another man.
High School MusicaldirectorKenny Ortegapreviously spoke about shielding Ryan’s sexuality in the movies, admitting he was “concerned” about Disney’s and audiences’ reaction at the time.
“I was concerned because it was family and kids, that Disney might not be ready to cross that line and move into that territory yet,” Ortega, 73, toldVarietyin 2020. “So, I just took it upon myself to make choices that I felt that those who were watching would grab.”
He added, “They would see it, they would feel it, they would know it and they would identify with it. And that is what happened.”
06of 09Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessieFred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy: Everett Collection: Kevin Winter/GettyLike Bleu, Coleman also laced up her dancing shoes to compete onDancing with the Starsin 2006, though she came in fourth place in the competition.Coleman continues to act, though her most important role is one of advocacy. Inher Instagram bio, she calls herself a “Champion for Youth.” In 2010, she was named theUN’s first ever Youth Champion.She foundedGimme Mo, an organization that seeks to empower youth to make changes in the world. She starred in a talk show of the same name that aired on Discovery Life in 2018.In 2021,Coleman had a miniHSMreunion with Bleuwhen they costarred in the Lifetime holiday filmA Christmas Dance Reunion.In 2022, it was announced thatColeman would appear on season 4ofHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
06of 09
Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie
Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy: Everett Collection: Kevin Winter/Getty
Like Bleu, Coleman also laced up her dancing shoes to compete onDancing with the Starsin 2006, though she came in fourth place in the competition.
Coleman continues to act, though her most important role is one of advocacy. Inher Instagram bio, she calls herself a “Champion for Youth.” In 2010, she was named theUN’s first ever Youth Champion.
She foundedGimme Mo, an organization that seeks to empower youth to make changes in the world. She starred in a talk show of the same name that aired on Discovery Life in 2018.
In 2021,Coleman had a miniHSMreunion with Bleuwhen they costarred in the Lifetime holiday filmA Christmas Dance Reunion.
In 2022, it was announced thatColeman would appear on season 4ofHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
07of 09
Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielson
Fred Hayes / © Disney Channel / Courtesy: Everett Collection: Stefanie Keenan/Getty
Rulin, who played the shy pianist Kelsi, continued to act post-HSM. She appeared on series likeThe MentalistandCSI: Miami, had a recurring role on the showGreekand starred on PlayStation Network’sPowers.
08of 09KayCee Stroh as Martha CoxStrohpopped, locked and jammed her way onto our screens forHigh School Musical 1, 2and3, but then did not do much acting after appearing onShapetown, USAin 2011.Shedidreturn to do her signature dance moves inHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesin 2019, and for that we are forever grateful.She’ll be backfor season 4.
08of 09
KayCee Stroh as Martha Cox
Strohpopped, locked and jammed her way onto our screens forHigh School Musical 1, 2and3, but then did not do much acting after appearing onShapetown, USAin 2011.
Shedidreturn to do her signature dance moves inHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesin 2019, and for that we are forever grateful.She’ll be backfor season 4.
09of 09
Alyson Reed as Ms. Darbus
Fred Hayes/The Disney Channel/Kobal/Shutterstock; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
You didn’t think we would forget Ms. Darbus, did you?!
Before she played the oh-so-dramatic theater teacher inHSM, Reed was a Broadway star. She was even Tony-nominated for best featured actress in a musical for her role in the 1987 revival ofCabaret.
Post-HSMtrilogy, she’s still acting, and has appeared on shows likeHow to Get Away with Murder, NCIS,Grace and FrankieandModern Family(to name just a few). She also acted in the 2019 filmAd Astra.
In 2022, it was announced thatReed would appear on season 4ofHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
source: people.com
