Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens
Hudgens in 2019
Born
Vanessa Anne Hudgens

(1988-12-14) December 14, 1988 (age 35)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1998–present
Spouse
(m. 2023)
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
LabelsHollywood
Signature

Vanessa Anne Hudgens (/ˈhʌənz/ HUJ-ənz; born December 14, 1988) is an American actress and singer. After making her feature film debut in Thirteen (2003), Hudgens rose to fame portraying Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film series (2006–2008), which brought her significant mainstream media success.[2] The success of the first film led Hudgens to acquire a recording contract with Hollywood Records, with whom she released two studio albums, V (2006) and Identified (2008).

Since the release of her studio albums and the High School Musical franchise, Hudgens has focused on her acting career. She appeared in the films Bandslam (2009), Beastly, Sucker Punch (both 2011), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Spring Breakers (both 2012), Second Act (2018), Bad Boys for Life (2020), and Tick, Tick...Boom! (2021). She starred in the Netflix Christmas movies The Princess Switch (2018) and its sequels (2020 and 2021) and The Knight Before Christmas (2019), and co-produced the latter three.

Hudgens played the role of Emily Locke in the NBC series Powerless (2017). She made her Broadway debut playing the title role in the musical revival of Gigi (2015) and had roles in two of Fox's live musical productions: Rizzo in Grease Live! (2016) and Maureen Johnson in Rent: Live (2019). In 2022, Hudgens co-hosted the Met Gala in Manhattan.

  1. ^ Jon Caramanica (June 15, 2009). "Vanessa Hudgens: 'Identified'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 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
  2. ^ Vanessa Hudgens Biography, Allmusic