Sindy: What has your life been like post-High School Musical?
Vanessa Hudgens: What has it been like?! It's been crazy! It's been very busy. I got my record deal from High School Musical, so - you know - I started recording my album. I was in the recording studio almost every day. I've been traveling all over the world. I just got back from London and Paris and Pittsburg! It's opened up many great opportunities for me.
Sindy: Did you have any idea how big it was going to be?
Vanessa Hudgens: Of course not. We all signed up for just another Disney Channel movie - which I love, but none of the others have ever blown up like this has. It was a great surprise for all of us because we really did not expect it.
Sindy: You were just in London promoting the UK release of High School Musical. How was that?
Vanessa Hudgens: Yeah, we were there for the release of High School Musical because it hasn't come out there yet! We were there for a week promoting it and then I got to stay for an extra week. I got to just hang out, walk around London, go to my favorite restaurant there, have my favorite candy bar there - and do all the things that I love in London.
Sindy: You were already quite the stage veteran before High School Musical. What was it like growing up in the theater?
Vanessa Hudgens: It was so fun. You mature very quickly because you're often the only kid in the show and everybody else is an adult. I just became so used to being around adults, interacting with them and having them be my friends. I mean, I'm still a kid! You just kind of get pulled along for the ride.
Sindy: Do you feel you missed out on anything by beginning working at such a young age?
Vanessa Hudgens: 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. You know, you see it in all the movies and it's exaggerated, but it just seems like it would be fun.
Sindy: You've been on quite a few episodes of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody recently. Do you prefer singing, television, films or the theater?
Vanessa Hudgens: Anything that has to do with acting. I love doing theater, movies, TV - I guess I'd say movies are my favorite because you get to go from location to location and the schedules aren't monotonous like they are with TV shows. But really I just love acting. What ever comes my way - if I feel passionate about it - I'm going to do it. I don't care if it's on TV or in movies.
Sindy: Where do you see yourself in another five years?
Vanessa Hudgens: Probably doing some sort of romance movie. Because right now, I'd really like to do an edgier movie and just really take a risk. I think it would be challenging. But in five years I'll be older and then I'd love to do a romance.
Sindy: What advice would you give to kids who want to follow in your footsteps?
Vanessa Hudgens: If you want to act, start off in theater. Any theater experience you can get, take it. It's where a lot of people have gotten their start and I really think that if you do that, you'll give yourself a good start. And one thing may lead to another! If you really, really, really want to do it, I say go for it 110 percent. You don't know what could happen unless you give it your all. But if you're not totally in love with it, find something else to do because it's such a tough business. It can make you really question yourself.
To find out about Vanessa's debut album and what kind of tunes she's listening to these days click here.
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