Vanessa Hudgens

Born in California in December 1988, Hudgens’ first major role was in the 2004 sci-fi adventure film Thunderbirds. The actress/singer’s most lucrative film role to date has been that of Gabriella Montez in the Emmy Award-winning High School Musical film franchise.

Hudgens also pursued a solo music career, and her album V debuted at No. 24 on the U.S. charts. She and boyfriend Zac Efron won Best Chemistry at the Teen Choice Awards for their roles in High School Musical. In September 2007, however, Hudgens’ public image took a hit when nude photos of the starlet surfaced online. Undeterred, Hudgens released her sophomore album, Identified, in July 2008 after wrapping High School Musical 2.

Hudgens continued to find success in musical theater, with a lead role in Gigi on Broadway. She later starred in two live TV musical adaptations as Rizzo in Grease: Live and Maureen in Rent: Live.

The Spring Breakers star added producing to her resume with the 2015 web series #15SecondScare. She also produced her Netflix film The Knight Before Christmas and The Princess Switch sequels.

Hudgens received backlash after fans called her response to the coronavirus pandemic insensitive in March 2020 and she apologized shortly after.

Offscreen, Hudgens has dated a few famous faces. After more than five years of dating, Hudgens and Efron called it quits in December 2010. Hudgens and Austin Butler started dating in 2011. The couple split in January 2020 after nine years together. The actress and Cole Tucker sparked romance rumors in November 2020. The pair confirmed their relationship in February 2021.