Profile: Vanessa Hudgens

31 July 2008 04:51pm

Real Name: Vanessa Anne Hudgens

Birth Date: December 14, 1988

Image: Teen US actress trying to break the music market

Best Known For: Starring in High School Musical

Early Life: Vanessa was born in Salinas, California. She is the daughter of Gina and Greg Hudgens and has a younger sister, Stella. Her father is an American of Irish and Native American descent, and her mother, who grew up in Manila, is a Filipino-born of Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese descent. Vanessa has been home-schooled since her seventh-grade year at the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Vanessa began performing in musical theatre as a singer aged eight, appearing in local productions of Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, The Music Man, and Cinderella.

Her first major movie role came playing Eva Rachel Wood's ex-best friend in teen acclaimed rebellion movie Thirteen.

Career High: Beating Amy Winehouse, Corrine Bailey Rae and Lily Allen to the title of 2007 Teen Choice Awards Choice Breakout Singer - Female.

Love Life: Vanessa is dating HSM co-star Zac Efron.

Don't Mention: Last year two photos of Vanessa surfaced online - one showing her in lingerie and one in the nude. As a Disney role model there was uproar. Vanessa apologised saying she was "embarrassed over the situation" and regretted having "taken those photos".

Words Of Wisdom: "My success? It's down to karma. Growing up, I'd always say that if I didn't get a role then the next thing that would come along would be bigger and better. High School Musical was my reward. But I feel like it's just the beginning."

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