Vanessa Hudgens Biography

Nov 05, 2019

Birthday: December 14, 1988
Birthplace: Salinas, California

Vanessa Hudgens has already captured the hearts of millions of fans (not to mention Zac Efron and Austin Butler). We're taking a look at this singer/actress!

A Star Is Born

Vanessa Anne Hudgens' multi-racial family is made up of her Irish and Native American father Greg, her Filipino and Chinese mother Gina and her younger sister Stella, who is also an actress. When Vanessa was eight years old, she began acting in local theater. She appeared in such classic plays as Carousel, The King and I, and The Wizard of Oz.

Small Screen Success

Vanessa and her family moved to Los Angeles after she won a role in a television commercial. From there, Vanessa Hudgens landed roles on "Still Standing," "Quintuplets" and "Thunderbirds." She also snagged the role of Noel in the critically acclaimed teen movie Thirteen, alongside Evan Rachel Wood and Holly Hunter. Little did she know that an unassuming TV movie was about to make her career.

Vanessa played the roles of both Stacey De Novo and Lady Margaret in The Princess Switch

High School Hijinks

Although Vanessa never went to high school herself (she was home schooled), her role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical made her a household name. She has since reprised the role in High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year. She also launched her debut album, V, in September 2006, which sold more than 500,000 copies. Vanessa released her second studio album, Identified, in July 2008.

Vanessa as Gabriella with Zac Efron in High School Musical

After High School

Following the completion of the High School Musical series, Vanessa took a break from her music career to focus more on acting. Vanessa starred in the movies Bandslam, Beastly, Sucker Punch, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, alongside Dwayne Johnson and Josh Hutcherson, Spring Breakers, The Princess Switch, and Second Act. In 2016 Vanessa starred as Rizzo in Grease: Live!, FOX's live broadcast of the Broadway musical. In January 2019, she earned strong reviews for her performance in Rent: Live.

Vanessa Hudgens played Kailani in Journey 2

Did U Know?

Vanessa became a spokesmodel for Neutrogena in 2007.
Vanessa is dated her High School Musical love interest, Zac Efron, in real life for 5 years.
Vanessa has been in a relationship with actor Austin Butler since 2011.
Both sets of Vanessa's grandparents were musicians.
Vanessa toured with the Cheetah Girls while promoting her album, V.
Before she landed the role in the High School Musical, Vanessa said she considered auditioning for American Idol.

Vanessa Hudgens with her boyfriend Austin Butler

Vanessa with her boyfriend Austin

Vanessa Hudgens Says...

"This sounds so stupid - but I always dreamed of being a prom queen. That's the only thing that I kind of missed. I missed the whole high school opportunity because I've been home schooled since I was in seventh grade."