Hudgens played the role of Emily Locke in theNBC seriesPowerless (2017). She made herBroadway stage debut playing Gigi in the musical revival ofGigi (2015) and had roles in two ofFox's live musical productions: Rizzo inGrease Live! (2016) and Maureen Johnson inRent: Live (2019). In 2022, Hudgens co-hosted theMet Gala inManhattan.
Early life
Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born inSalinas, California, and was raised in various locations along theWest Coast, from Oregon to Southern California. Her mother, Gina (née Guangco), held a succession of office jobs, and her father, Gregory Hudgens, was a firefighter.[3][4] She has a younger sister, Stella, who is also an actress.[5] She was raised as aCatholic.[6] Her father, who died of cancer in February 2016,[7] was of mostly English descent, and her mother is Filipina and grew up inMindanao.[8][4][9] All of her grandparents were musicians.[10]
Hudgens had her first acting role in an episode of the sitcomStill Standing, airing onCBS in 2002,[15] in which she portrayed Tiffany.[16] Later that year, she appeared in an episode of the seriesRobbery Homicide Division, airing onCBS. Hudgens made her theatrical debut in the 2003 drama filmThirteen, in the supporting role of Noel. The film grossed $10 million worldwide and received positive critical reviews.[17]USA Today calledThirteen the most "powerful of all recent wayward-youth sagas".[18] Hudgens subsequently landed a role in the 2004 science fiction-adventure filmThunderbirds, based on the1960s television series. Hudgens portrayed the character of Tin-tin. The film was a commercial failure and was strongly criticized for "abandoning the original concepts".[19]
In January 2006, Hudgens playedGabriella Montez, one of the lead roles in theDisney Channel Original MovieHigh School Musical. The film saw Hudgens portraying the new girl at high school who falls for the captain of the basketball team. The two later reveal a passion for singing, and audition for the school play together. Hudgens starred alongsideZac Efron andAshley Tisdale,[20] the former of which she was partnered up with during the auditioning process due to their "chemistry".[21] It wasDisney Channel's most-watched film that year with 7.7 million viewers in its premiere broadcast in the US, until August's premiere ofThe Cheetah Girls 2, which achieved 8.1 million viewers.[22]
For the film, Hudgens recorded numerous songs which had commercial success. The song "Breaking Free", a duet with Efron, became Hudgens' highest peak on the USBillboard Hot 100 at number 4, and number 9 in the UK.[23] Following the success of the film, Hudgens released her debut studio album,V, on September 26, 2006. It sold 34,000 copies in its first week, and debuted at number 24 on the USBillboard 200 chart.[24] In February 2007, the album wascertified Gold by theRecording Industry Association of America.[25] By August 2009, the album had sold 570,000 copies in the US.[26] It was preceded by two singles, "Come Back to Me" and "Say OK", both of which were moderately successful in several countries.
Hudgens in concert in January 2007
In 2007, Hudgens reprised her role as Gabriella inHigh School Musical 2, released on August 17. The show was watched by over 17.2 million viewers in the US, almost 10 million more than its predecessor, making it the most-watched Disney Channel Original Movie of all time.[27] Disney Channel aired a weekly program calledRoad to High School Musical 2, beginning on June 8, and leading up to the premiere ofHigh School Musical 2 in August. The show offered viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the production of the movie. The opening number "What Time Is It" was first broadcast onRadio Disney on May 25, 2007,[28] and "You Are the Music in Me" was introduced on July 13, 2007.[29] The film was generally well received by critics.[30][31]USA Today's Robert Bianco awarded the film three stars out of four, stating thatHigh School Musical 2 was "sweet, smart, bursting with talent and energy, and awash in innocence".[32] While critics enjoyed the film, they noted that the timing of its premiere seemed odd, premiering just when school was about to resume again whereas the film's plot involved the gang going on summer vacation.[33]
Her second studio album,Identified, was released on July 1, 2008, in the United States. It sold 22,000 copies in its first week, 12,000 less thanV.[34] Despite the drop in sales, the album debuted at number 23 on theBillboard 200, one spot higher thanV.[35] The album was preceded by one single, "Sneakernight", which peaked at number 88 on theBillboard Hot 100.[23] Hudgens reprised her role inHigh School Musical 3: Senior Year, the first film from the franchise to be released theatrically. It opened at number one at the North American box office in October 2008, earning $42 million in its first weekend, which broke the record previously held byMamma Mia! for the biggest opening by a musical.[36] The film finished with $252 million worldwide, which exceeded Disney's expectations.[37]
2009–2017: Mainstream film and television
Hudgens at the MyHabit launch at Skylight West Studios in May 2011
Following the completion of theHigh School Musical series, Hudgens said that she was taking a break from her music career to focus more on acting.[38] She played a supporting role in a musical comedyBandslam, which was released theatrically on August 14, 2009.[39][40] Hudgens played "Sa5m", a 15-year-old awkward freshman with untapped talents.[41] AlthoughBandslam was commercially unsuccessful, Hudgens' performance received praise from critics.[42] David Waddington of theNorth Wales Pioneer noted that Hudgens "outshines the rest of the cast, failing to fit in with the outcast narrative and making the inevitable climactic ending all the more expected".[43]
In 2010, Hudgens starred in the musicalRent as Mimi during August 6–8, 2010, at theHollywood Bowl.[44] Her involvement in the production drew negative comments, but directorNeil Patrick Harris defended his decision with casting Hudgens by saying, "Vanessa is awesome. She's a friend. I asked her to come in and sing to make sure she had the chops for it. And she was very committed and seemed great."[45]
In 2011, Hudgens starred withAlex Pettyfer in the filmBeastly, based onAlex Flinn's 2007 novelBeastly.[46] She played one of the main characters,Linda Taylor, and described her as "the 'beauty' of the story but not the stereotypical beauty everyone thinks of."[47] Hudgens and Pettyfer were described asShoWest Stars of Tomorrow.[48]Beastly was released on March 4, 2011, to mostly negative reviews. The film was screened at ShoWest and drew enthusiastic reactions from the luncheon crowd of exhibition officials.[49][50] The film went on to make $28 million worldwide as of 2012. Hudgens also starred as one of the five female leads in the action filmSucker Punch, directed byZack Snyder.[51] She played Blondie, an institutionalized girl in an asylum. The film was released in March 2011,[52] and grossed $19 million in its first weekend at the North American box office, opening at number two.[53] By the end of its run,Sucker Punch totaled $89 million worldwide.[54]
In 2013, Hudgens starred alongsideSelena Gomez,Ashley Benson,Rachel Korine andJames Franco in the filmSpring Breakers. The story followed four college-aged girls who decide to rob a fast food restaurant in order to pay for their spring break.[60] It was released theatrically in March 2013,[61] receiving generally positive reviews.[62][63] The film featured mature themes such as drug use, violence, and sexual escapades.[64][65][66] To coincide with the film, Hudgens released the dubstep-influenced song "$$$ex",[67] with a music video featuring clips from the film.[68] The song features guest vocals from YLA, and was produced byRock Mafia.[69] Hudgens later expressed her discomfort with a sex scene: "It was very nerve-racking for me. I told my agent that I never want to do it ever again."[70][71] Later that year, Hudgens played Cindy Paulson inThe Frozen Ground, a film based on theRobert Hansen serial murder case, with Hudgens portraying Hansen's only known victim to escape. She co-starred withJohn Cusack andNicolas Cage.[72] She also starred in the action filmMachete Kills, based on the characterMachete from theSpy Kids franchise. The film was directed byRobert Rodriguez.[73] By the end of the year, Hudgens starred alongsideMichael Shannon, Joel Marsh Garland,Dree Hemingway, andNick Lashaway inSpike Jonze's short comedy-drama filmChoose You.[74] The cast performed the film live as a skit at the firstYouTube Music Awards, to the music ofAvicii.[75]
In 2014, Hudgens starred as a pregnant teenage runaway girl in the drama filmGimme Shelter withBrendan Fraser, written and directed by Ron Krauss.[76][77]
On January 31, 2016, Hudgens starred in the role of Rizzo inGrease Live!,Fox's live broadcast based on theoriginal Broadway musical.[83] Hudgens dedicated her performance to her father, who died from cancer one day before the special aired.[84]
In 2020, Hudgens appeared in the third entry in theBad Boys franchise,Bad Boys for Life,[100] which grossed over $426 million worldwide.[101] In November that year, she starred in and produced the Netflix filmThe Princess Switch's sequel,The Princess Switch: Switched Again.[102] By the end of the year, Hudgens hosted theMTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time television special, which highlighted the greatest moments of film and television since the 1980s, as well as moments from past editions of the award ceremony.[103]
In 2024, Hudgens competed inseason eleven ofThe Masked Singer as "Goldfish". She won the season withScott Porter as "Gumball" finishing in second place. Both of them made references to their work inBandslam.[113]
Personal life
Hudgens was raised Catholic but now identifies as a non-denominational Christian. She attends the Los Angeles affiliate church ofHillsong Church.[114][115][116]
In March 2020, Hudgens posted an Instagram video where she stated that it is "inevitable" that people will die from theCOVID-19 pandemic.[124] The video caused controversy as critics accused her of minimizing the impact of the disease and the need for preventive measures. She subsequently apologized for her "insensitive" remarks.[125]
Leaked photos
On September 6, 2007, photos allegedly stolen from Hudgens were leaked online, one showing her posing in lingerie and another showing her nude. A statement from her publicist said that the photo was taken privately and it was unfortunate that they were released on the Internet. Hudgens later apologized, saying that she was "embarrassed over the situation" and regretted having "taken [those] photos".[126] In January 2008, Hudgens released a statement indicating that she declined to comment further on the subject.[127] In October 2007,OK! magazine speculated that Hudgens would be dropped fromHigh School Musical 3 as a result of the explicit images,[128] butThe Walt Disney Company denied this, stating, "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment. We hope she's learned a valuable lesson."[129][130][131]
In August 2009, another set of images showing Hudgens topless emerged on the Internet. Hudgens' representatives did not comment, though her lawyers requested the removal of the pictures.[132][133] In late 2009, Hudgens sued www.moejackson.com for posting nude "self-portrait photographs" of her taken on a mobile phone in a private home.[134] Hudgens later commented on the photos' impact on her career in the October issue ofAllure, stating, "Whenever anybody asks me, would I do nudity in a film, if I say that it's something I'm not comfortable with, they're like, 'Bullshit, you've already done it.' If anything, it makes it more embarrassing, because that was a private thing. It's screwed up that someone screwed me over like that. At least some people are learning from my mistake."[135] According toUs Weekly, additional nude images were released on the Internet on March 15, 2011.[136]
Public image
Hudgens in January 2012 atBondi Beach, SydneyPhilippine presidentBongbong Marcos presenting the Global Tourism Ambassador Award to Hudgens in March 2023.[137]
Hudgens was represented byWilliam Morris Agency[138] but signed on toCreative Artists Agency in 2011.[139] In 2006, Hudgens' earnings were estimated to be $2 million.[140] Hudgens was included inForbes richest list in early 2007, and theForbes article noted that she was included inYoung Hollywood's Top Earning-Stars.[141] On December 12, 2008, Hudgens was ranked No. 20 in the list ofForbes "High Earners Under 30", having reported to have an estimated earnings of $3 million in 2008.[142][143] She was number 62 atFHM's 100 Sexiest Women 2008 and number 42 in the 2009 list.[144][145] Hudgens is also featured inMaxim's lists.[146] She was included inPeople's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" 2008 and 2009 lists.[147][148]
Brian Schall sued Hudgens in 2007 for an alleged "breach of contract"; according to the suit, Schall claims he advanced costs and expenses on Hudgens' behalf for her songwriting and recording career.[160] Schall claims Hudgens owed him $150,000 after helping her earn more than $5 million for her music career. Hudgens argued that she was a 16-year-oldminor when she signed the contract in October 2005, and therefore too young to do so. She subsequently disaffirmed it on October 9, 2008. Papers filed in court by her lawyer say California's Family Code "provides that the contract of a minor is voidable and may be disaffirmed before (age 18) or within a reasonable time afterward."[161] In 2008, Hudgens was sued by Johnny Vieira, who claims he was owed a share of Hudgens' advances, royalties and merchandising revenue in exchange for his management services. Vieira accuses Hudgens of abandoning her talent team as soon as she became a commercial name.[162] In early May 2009, the case was settled.[163]
Hudgens is a frequent attendee of theCoachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. She has been unofficially called the "Queen of Coachella". She is known for herboho-chic fashion style, occasionally going barefoot at the festival as well.[164][165]
In March 2023, Hudgens was named as a global tourism ambassador by the Philippine government.[137]
^Jon Caramanica (June 15, 2009)."Vanessa Hudgens: 'Identified'".The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. RetrievedJuly 12, 2022.The R&B number 'Last Night' inexplicably, and compellingly, features slide guitar; 'Don't Ask Why' is an unforced apology for a breakup
