Vanessa Anne Hudgens (born December 14, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She is mostly known for her role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film series.[1] She pursued a solo music career and released her debut album V on September 26, 2006. The album debuted at number twenty four in the U.S.[2] and was later certified Gold. She reprised her role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Hudgens had released her second album, Identified in July 1, 2008 in the U.S.[3] She will be portraying the role of Sam in the film Bandslam, in theaters August 14, 2009.[4] As of 2009, she has two upcoming films this 2010, namely, Beastly and 2011 Sucker Punch!.[5]

Early life

Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, the daughter of Gina (née Guangco) and Greg Hudgens.[6] She has a sister, Stella Teodora Hudgens (born November 13, 1995, San Diego).[7] Hudgens's father is an American of Irish and Native American descent, and her mother, who grew up in Manila, is of Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese descent.[8][6] 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.[9] She made her feature film debut in Thirteen as Noel and appeared in the 2004 film Thunderbirds as Tintin,[10] appearing alongside Brady Corbet in both. Her [television] appearances include guest roles on Quintuplets, Still Standing, The Brothers García, Drake & Josh and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

Career

2005-2007: High School Musical and debut album

Hudgens's breakout role has been playing Gabriella Montez in the Disney Channel movie series High School Musical. Hudgens and Efron won the 2006 "Best Chemistry" award at the Teen Choice Awards for their roles.[11]. In 2006 based on her work in HSM and the associated sountrack, Hudgens launched her solo music career by signing a record deal with Hollywood Records after her cover of "Colors Of The Wind" for Disneymania 5.

Hudgens' debut album, entitled V, was released in late September 2006. V debuted on the Billboard 200 in early October 2006 at number twenty-four on the chart, with 34,000 copies sold that week.[13] Hudgens described V as a 'wide mix of things.' The first single was "Come Back to Me", while the second and final single was "Say OK". Hudgens was the opening act for The Cheetah Girls during their The Party's Just Begun Tour.[11] V was certified Gold on February 27, 2007.[14] Hudgens was named Female Breakout Singer of the year at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards.[15]

Hudgens participated in the nationwide High School Musical:The Concert tour in fall 2006, performing the songs from the soundtrack album as well as the three singles from her debut album.[16] A performance of the concert was released in 2007 in DVD and album form. She sang the duet "Still There For Me" with Corbin Bleu for his debut album. Hudgens also appeared on the High School Musical 2 soundtrack.

2008-present: Identified and future projects

Her sophomore album, Identified, was released on July 1, 2008,[17] selling more than 22,000 copies during its first week. The first single from this album was "Sneakernight". At the same time, she went on the "Identified Summer Tour," to promote her albums in the U.S. and Mexico.

On January 11, 2008, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Hudgens would star in the comedy, Bandslam. Hudgens plays 15-year-old Sam, explained as an awkward outsider;[18] the film will have a mid-summer 2009 release.[19][20] Hudgens reprised her role as Gabriella in 2008's High School Musical 3: Senior Year and appeared on the movie's soundtrack. She also performed at the 81st Academy Awards in a musical number with other young actors involving the theme of Young Hollywood.[21] Hudgens' upcoming projects include starring roles in Sucker Punch, which will release in 2011, where she plays the role of Blondie, which she explains as the "tough one"[22][23] and the movie adaptation of Beastly release in 2010[24] where she will be joined by Alex Pettyfer, as Linda and Kyle, respectively.[25] Hudgens told Brazilian's Caras Magazine that she is planning to write songs on her new album based on her experiences. [26]

Endorsements

In 2007, Hudgens endorsed Mark Ecko's Eckō footwear line, including a tie-in with Sneakernight. [27] She was also featured in Sears' 2008 back-to-school campaign, along with Neutrogena currently, both on television and in print.[28]

Public image and personal life

Hudgens confirmed, in an October 2007 interview with Teen magazine, that she is dating her High School Musical series co-star Zac Efron and had been since the filming of High School Musical. [29] She bought her own house in 2008 which costs $2.75 million[30] In 2008, she was ranked as FHM's 62nd Sexiest Woman[31] and Maxim' lists.[32][33] She was included in People's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" 2008 and 2009 lists. She was the cover girl for several mainstream magazines, including CosmoGirl, Lucky and Self magazine in May 2009.[34]

On December 12, 2008, Hudgens was ranked #20 in the list of Forbes "High Earners Under 30".[35] Hudgens also graced the Hollywood's Top 11 Most Wanted Babe, at number 10.[36]

Controversies

Nude photo scandal

On September 6, 2007, controversy erupted after provocative photos of Hudgens surfaced online. Two showed her posing in suggestive lingerie, and another showed her nude. A statement from her publicist claims that the photo was taken privately and it was "unfortunate" that they were released on the Internet.[37] Hudgens later apologized, saying that she was "embarrassed over the situation" and regretted having "taken [those] photos."[38] Disney Channel spokeswoman Patti McTeague indicated that Disney will still be working with Hudgens, stating, "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment. We hope she's learned a valuable lesson."[39]

Lawsuits

Hudgens was sued by music producer Johnny Vieira, who claims she reneged on a deal to share her earnings with him after he helped make her a star. In the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Vieira accuses Hudgens and father, Greg Hudgens, of breach of contract and fraud, seeking more than $27 million in damages.[40] According to the suit, they subsequently reached a settlement under which Hudgens agreed to pay Vieira a percentage of her earnings from her first three albums under her solo recording contract with Hollywood Records.[41] Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Malcolm Mackey also ordered the 20-year-old singer/actress to pay Johnny Vieira's attorneys $1,500 in attorneys' fees for having to go to court and get the order.[42] The case was settled on May 2, 2009 out of court on unreleased terms, nine days before trial.[43][44]

Filmography

Films

2003    Thirteen    Noel    Debut role
2004    Thunderbirds    Tintin    Science fiction-adventure film
2006    High School Musical    Gabriella Montez    Made by Disney Channel.
2007    High School Musical 2    Made by Disney Channel.
2008    High School Musical 3: Senior Year    Was released by Walt Disney Pictures October 24, 2008.
2009    Bandslam    Sam    Finished
2010    Beastly    Linda    Filming starts Summer 2009; main role
2011    Sucker Punch    Blondie    Pre-Production

TV appearances

Year    Title    Role    Other notes
2002    Still Standing    Tiffany    Episode "Still Rocking"
The Brothers Garcia    Lindsey/Tall Girl    2 episodes
Robbery Homicide Division    Nicole at 10    Episode "Had"
2005    Drake & Josh    Rebbecca    Episode "Little Sibling"
Quintuplets    Carmen    Episode "Coconut Kapow"
2006    The Suite Life of Zack & Cody    Corrie    4 episodes, made by Disney Channel.

Awards and nominations

2006    Imagen Foundation Awards    "Best Actress - Television"    Nominated[45]
Teen Choice Awards    "Choice TV Chemistry" (shared with Zac Efron)    Won[46]
2007    "Choice Music: Breakout Artist - Female"    Won[47]
Young Artist Award    Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress    Nominated[48]
2008    Teen Choice Awards    "Choice Hottie"    Won[49]
2009    Kids Choice Awards    "Favorite Female Movie Star"    Won[50]
MTV Movie Awards    "Breakthrough Female Performance"    Nominated[51]
MTV Movie Awards    "Best Kiss" (shared with Zac Efron)    Nominated[52]

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