Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens
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Name:
Vanessa Hudgens
Real name:
Vanessa Anne Hudgens
Who is:
,
Birth date:
(36 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Salinas, California, U.S.
Height:
5'1 ft ()
Weight:
106 lb (48 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:

Photos: Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens photo 1
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Vanessa Hudgens photo 3
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+12 Photos

Vanessa Hudgens' Biography

Vanessa Anne Hudgens burst onto the scene as one of Hollywood's brightest young talents, skyrocketing to fame with the hit Disney series High School Musical, where she showcased impressive acting chops and a sweet, soulful voice. Net worth: $16 million.
Vanessa Anne Hudgens
Vanessa Anne Hudgens

Childhood

Vanessa, the eldest daughter of Gregory Hudgens and Gina Guangco, was born in Salinas, California on December 14, 1988. Her father was a firefighter and her mother was a municipal official. The actress's striking features reflect her diverse heritage: Indian and Irish roots from her father's side, with Asian and Spanish ancestry from her mother's.
Vanessa Hudgens as a child
Vanessa Hudgens as a child
While Vanessa's parents didn't pursue creative careers professionally, music ran in the family—both her father and mother were talented singers. Vanessa's creative spark showed early, prompting her parents to enroll her in drama classes to nurture her acting talents. She also took vocal lessons, throwing herself into her training with remarkable dedication and determination. By age nine, she'd already become a local sensation, performing in musical theater as both an actress and singer.

In the early 2000s, the Hudgens family relocated to Los Angeles, opening up far more opportunities for Vanessa's budding career. In Los Angeles, Vanessa took part in her first TV shows, in the series The Brothers Garcia and Still Standing. In one of the auditions she met the young actor Taylor Lautner; this acquaintance would later grow into a strong friendship.

Creative Career Begins

In 2003, Vanessa enrolled at the High School of the Arts. In the same year, she made her big-screen debut in a supporting role in the low-budget crime drama Thirteen; the film explored troubled teen relationships with parents, drug use, and premature sexuality.
A scene from the Thirteen series
A scene from the Thirteen series
The young actress played mousy Noel, Tracy's friend, contrasting with the bold Evie. Vanessa showcased her dramatic range, earning positive reviews and catching producers' attention. The thirteen-year-old rebels were played by Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed; the latter also helped to write the script.
Young Vanessa Hudgens
Young Vanessa Hudgens
From 2003 to 2005, the young actress appeared in several TV series and the fantasy comedy Thunderbirds while continuing her studies at the School of the Arts and taking vocal lessons.
Thunderbirds - trailer
In 2006 Vanessa was cast as Gabriella in the musical movie High School Musical by Disney Pictures, starring handsome Zac Efron. This film marked a major breakthrough in Hudgens' career. All of her character's songs were sung by Vanessa herself.
Vanessa Hudgens in the High School Musical movie
Vanessa Hudgens in the High School Musical movie
This lighthearted teen comedy became a huge hit, inspiring Vanessa to pursue a singing career. She released her first album V in the same year, titling it after her first-name initial which also stands for Victory. It sold over 40,000 copies in the US during its first week; the album was certified gold in 2007.
Vanessa Hudgens - Come Back To Me
Two High School Musical sequels followed in 2007 and 2008, exploring the evolving relationship between Efron and Hudgens' characters as they navigate life's challenges. These high school musicals resonated with audiences across all age groups. The films proved that music and love truly bring people together.

Hudgens' second album, Identified, released in summer 2008, didn't match her debut's commercial success, prompting the actress to step back from music and refocus on acting.

The Prime of Career

In the 2009 musical movie Bandslam Vanessa co-stars with Alyson Michalka, Ryan Donowho, and Lisa Kudrow. The film's soundtrack provides the perfect backdrop as characters fall in love and dream about their futures. Vanessa's performance and musical numbers connected with audiences.
Vanessa Hudgens in the musical drama movie Bandslam (2009)
Vanessa Hudgens in the musical drama movie Bandslam (2009)
In the 2011 fantasy movie Beastly, retelling the story of Beauty and the Beast, Hudgens co-stars with Alex Pettyfer. Pettyfer portrays the school's most handsome and arrogant boy, cursed by his classmate, the powerful witch Kendra. According to the curse, only the true love of a kind and pure-hearted girl can save him. Vanessa plays his savior Linda, and Mary-Kate Olsen plays the witch.

Both Pettyfer and Hudgens earned ShoWest Stars of Tomorrow honors, and their on-screen chemistry landed them a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Movie Liplock.

In Zack Snyder's fantasy thriller Sucker Punch Vanessa was cast as one of the lead roles along with Emily Browning, Jamie Chung, and Abbie Cornish. Vanessa plays Blondie, one of the girls locked up in a brothel. Hudgens reportedly took on this role to shed her good-girl image that critics had typecast her in.
Sucker Punch - trailer
In the 2013 thriller The Frozen Ground, Hudgens plays a prostitute who escapes from a serial killer; Nicolas Cage plays a detective in the movie. The maniac is unexpectedly portrayed by John Cusack.
A scene from The Frozen Ground
A scene from The Frozen Ground
In the drama, movie Gimme Shelter the actress plays the challenging role of Agnes, a pregnant teenager who goes in search of her father after her mother denies support to her. Brendan Fraser and Rosario Dawson play Agnes' parents. Audiences were moved by both Agnes' heartbreaking situation and Vanessa's powerful performance, as she convincingly captured her character's pain.
Gimme Shelter - trailer
The 2015 horror-comedy Freaks of Nature tells the story of a small town under siege by zombies, vampires, and aliens. In this crazy comedy movie Vanessa co-stars with Denis Leary and Mackenzie Davis.
In 2015 the trash comedy Freaks of Nature, starring Vanessa, was released
In 2015 the trash comedy Freaks of Nature, starring Vanessa, was released
In 2016 the actress started working on the lead role in the superhero comedy sitcom Powerless. The first episodes came out in the beginning of 2017; however, the series was canceled due to low ratings.

In 2018, the actress landed another lead role in Dog Days, co-starring with Nina Dobrev and young Finn Wolfhard, who starred in the 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King's It.
Dog Days - trailer
In the Christmas comedy The Princess Switch, Vanessa plays dual roles: a duchess and an ordinary American girl who happens to be her exact double. They switch places, which leads to unexpected results.
The Princess Switch - trailer
2018 also saw the release of the comedy Second Act, where Vanessa got to co-star alongside Jennifer Lopez.

Vanessa Hudgens' Personal Life

Vanessa has quite the reputation as a heartbreaker. She dated Zac Efron during the making of High School Musical. They were considered one of Hollywood's most beautiful and inseparable young couples. The fans gave them a collective nickname Zanessa.
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
In 2008, Zac gave his princess a gorgeous diamond ring, but it wasn't an engagement. Vanessa and Zac explained that their breakup came down to conflicting filming schedules.

The actress's next relationship was with actor Josh Hutcherson, four years her junior. Their relationship lasted for 5 years, from 2011 to 2015.
Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson
Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson
Since 2016, the actress has been dating blonde Austin Butler, also four years younger. The couple doesn't hide their feelings and regularly attend events together.
Vanessa and Austin don't hide their feelings
Vanessa and Austin don't hide their feelings

Vanessa Hudgens Now

The thriller Polar is one of the most anticipated movies of 2019. In this movie Vanessa co-stars with Mads Mikkelsen who plays the world's top assassin, aka The Black Kaiser.
The premiere of Bad Boys for Life is planned for the beginning of 2020. In this thriller the actress will co-star with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

Vanessa Hudgens: latest news and articles

  • I saw Hudgens in «Replacing the Princess» and somehow I was not very impressed to be honest :)
    2021-05-17 23:42:05
  • I watched Sucker Punch with Vanessa Hudgens. Nice work, by the way. I recommend
    2021-05-17 10:07:04
  • I really like Vanessa as a singer! The songs are great :) especially for girls
    2021-05-13 09:06:14
  • Her roots are interesting - what is not mixed :) but in the end what a beauty Hudgens turned out to be!
    2021-05-09 12:46:51
  • Ever since childhood I remember the movie with Vanessa «High School Musical». Sheer charm!
    2021-04-12 17:03:24
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