'High School Musical' just turned 15, but where are the stars now?
This movie franchise might just be the most influential the Disney Channel ever created, so to celebrate its 15th birthday, let's see where the cast is after all this time...
Who would have thought that almost two decades later a story about a basketball-playing boy and a shy, smart girl becoming musical stars would still be so relevant?
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The movie franchise is considered one of the most successful to ever come out of the Disney Channel category and even years later, they were able to create a super popular television series - 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" (Not the simplest name, but you get the idea).
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The movies also kickstarted the careers of many stars that still hold a very special place in the hearts of many across the world, whether they were originally HSM fans or not.
Let's take a look at where these stars are now:
Zac Efron as Troy Bolton
Do we even need to tell you?
After the HSM movies, Efron has gone on to have a VERY successful acting career.
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Some of his biggest projects include 'Baywatch', '17 Again', 'The Lucky One', and 'The Greatest Showman'. But the list is quite extensive.
He also starred in the Netflix series 'Down To Earth with Zac Efron', where he traveled the world finding sustainable ways to live.
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Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez
Vanessa not only continued with her acting career, starring in movies like 'Beastly' as well as 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' (opposite The Rock), but she also further pursued music.
She released two albums and was part of the 'Grease: Live' production in which she portrayed Rizzo.
In recent years though, she's become the face of Netflix romantic comedies (with a holiday theme) as she took on the lead role in 'The Princess Switch' franchise.
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Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth
Corbin decided to continue in the musical theatre direction performing in multiple, very successful Broadway productions.
He also added 'soap star' to his resume with a role on 'One Life to Live', but most importantly put his smooth moves to good use when he took part in the 17th season of 'Dancing With The Stars', where he earned the title of runner-up.
He's also made appearances in shows like 'The Middle' and 'Supergirl'. Unfortunately, for anyone still crushing on Bleu, he tied the knot with Sasha Clements after proposing at Disney World (quite fitting, really).
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Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans
The one character everyone loved to hate but in real life, Ashley is still quite close with a few of her HSM castmates, especially Vanessa.
Ashley is also well known for her recurring role on other Disney Channel shows which include 'Suite Life Of Zack and Cody' and 'Phineas and Ferb'.
Sharpay even got her own spinoff series: 'Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure'.
She is also a producer for multiple shows, has continued acting (you can see her in Netflix's 'Merry Happy Whatever') and even released a brand new album in 2019!
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Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans
Definitely the quietest of all the characters and actors, Lucas has appeared in a few television shows since the HSM days, his most notable role being on 'Switched At Birth' as Toby Kennish.
He also founded his own production company, 14341 Productions, and made a cameo on 'HSM: The Musical: The Series'.
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Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie
The only person who has seemingly entirely stepped away from the Hollywood scene is Monique.
She has made a few guest appearances on shows like 'Bones' and 'Stitchers' but has never fully returned to the screen.
Instead, she created an online platform, 'Gimme Mo', that she uses to motivate and inspire the younger generations and she became the first-ever UN Youth Champion. She is also happily married.
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Feel old yet?
It is hard to believe that it's been a whole 15 years since this movie entered our lives (and blessed us with Zac Efron), but it's fun to look back and get a bit nostalgic.
Happy Birthday, High School Musical! There will never be another teen-basketball-theatre-drama like you!
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Main image courtesy of Twitter