Vanessa Hudgens Reflects On 'High School Musical' Legacy & Meeting Zac Efron For The First Time

It's been 16 years since 'High School Musical', but for star Vanessa Hudgens it feels like just yesterday! Vanessa dishes on her series of auditions to play Gabriella, and meeting co-stars Zac Efron & Ashley Tisdale for the first time. She also reflects on the lasting legacy of the franchise and the magic of musicals, saying "they don't go out of style."
#KellyClarksonShow #VanessaHudgens
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[@omgnetwork5231]

she literally looks better and better as she ages

[@OmarThePuppy]

Probs cause she’s half Filipino

[@tinakiielii319]

Right

[@j-dibs]

because she’s single and unmarried ❤️

[@theyilingpatriarch]

@@OmarThePuppy what does it have to do with ethnicity lol

[@OmarThePuppy]

@@theyilingpatriarch because POC are superior

[@nicz051]

still gives me chills when i hear "15 years ago"

[@signiiture]

You think to yourself self "am I that old?" 😭😭

[@karizmagillespie]

16-

[@tr15709]

it's as old as me haha 😭

[@dvchel]

Don't worry, you get used to it. XD

[@thisisntahandle]

I remember seeing the teaser of HSM like it was yesterday

[@Dira091998]

Once a wildcat, always a wildcat 🐾

[@TEACASTRO]

Yes sir

[@crystaledson]

TRUE!

[@adrianaavila8853]

Same!! For real me!!

[@karizmagillespie]

U GON MAKE ME CRY

[@Siabeysment]

@@karizmagillespie facts

[@claualexis1737]

the way her and Ashley became and remain THE BEST FRIENDS...

[@007Fusiion]

Both vacuous

[@beatricedevarenne2621]

@@007Fusiion 🤡🤡🤡

[@kirbythekrib7777]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ pray for me , God bless brotha

[@rodrigocolina.1370]

Actually, they're not friends anymore.

[@claualexis1737]

@@rodrigocolina.1370 wait...WHAT???? Dont you dare

[@selma5808]

She is so gorgeous and has such a sweet personality. I just love her! I also loved her performance in Tick Tick Boom alongside Andrew Garfield. She is very talented and hope to see her in many more musicals to come.

[@bernardhoward8279]

Hello beautiful.....I am Bernard Howard , Sorry to bother you with my message. I came across your profile and I must say you are really beautiful. How are you doing today? I really will love to chat with you. Hope to hear from you.

[@multifandomedits8817]

I love this new Fandom, Vanessa needs a Fandom That respect her as a person and she really deserves This! It's time to not care of Hate and negativity, the toxic High school Musical fandom love hating of her and don't know her personally at all! They are all wrong! This is the Best fandom ever and She really deserves This!

[@davinsustak4398]

Yes she is amazing..

[@Missfavourites]

Yes definitely, amazing! Love her! Also, loved her in The Princess Switch 1, 2, 3 (and hopefully more). So excited to see her again soon hopefully in more musicals and movies!

[@crisguia]

She and Zac look so like Susan Dey and David Cassidy from The Partridge Family videos here. David became the biggest crush of young girls, too, because of the show, and he and Susan also dated each other back then until Susan realized he wasn't in love with her.

[@JulianLaro]

"Say Okay" will always be a TIMELESS BOP

[@Gg.ayriaa]

Yess number

[@mollycblaeser]

Fell in love with her during HSM & she still has my heart. I would love more albums from Vanessa! I was literally just wondering about this when listening to her music.

[@adrianaavila8853]

I still blast her albums from time to time, happily surprised I remember the words

[@itsjustjae85]

I was 14 when this movie came out. And it’s crazy to believe that it was 15 years ago. I just turned 30 and I love HSM as much as I did when it first premiered in 2006.

[@brianj3663]

And Vanessa looks basically the same too...she's aged so well!

[@RiceNoodle]

I was 12 as well now turning 27 😅so crazy

[@hannahwalmer1124]

@@RiceNoodle If you were 12 when this came out, you'd be turning 30 this year. I was 10 when it came out and I'm turning 28 this year, so...

[@TEACASTRO]

Showed my husband HSM for the first time ever and he now sings the songs around the house all the time❤️

[@Unkknownn_]

As he should 🫡

[@dvchel]

For someone who is nearing his 30s, I can still enjoy HSM too. Even 16 years later.

[@lollmao9199]

All men do they just deny it 😂

[@LilyMUTINY]

My husband is refusing to watch 🥲

[@tolupuplove]

Her and Ashley’s friendship is something of beyond, i love it! Vanessa has been such an old soul from childhood. I would LOVE to hear her sound and progression of what she would express during these times in things personal to her now 🙏🏾💕😍

[@ednamodee]

right cause thats a real friendship

[@Talpop222]

Kelly is straight just talking over Vanessa like ok girl 🤣

[@fatanehfouroudi4614]

Lot of yeh , yeh and then she said oh yeh 😂

[@valeriereyes6229]

She always does this to her guests!

[@darrensnancy.]

Every time I see V on screen I still feel a huge ton of hope that Zanessa will get back together one day. I mean I know I'm probably biased because HSM & Zansssa literally shaped my childhood but its so obvious they were meant to be but at the end of the day as long as they're both happy then that makes me happy. But Zanessa were and always will be one of my absolute favourite couples of all time 💕❤️❤️❤️💕

[@hp4415]

She just got engaged to cole tucker

[@redietmengesha8041]

Darrensnancy you just spoke my heart's ultimate wish for I believe the same 🥰🥰🥰 if there was Beniffer 2.0 there is no reason why we can hope for Zanessa 2.0 💖💖💖may it be God's will🙏🙏🙏 for them to find back each other and rekindle their beautiful love story 💞💞💞

[@BRBallin1]

People evolve, goals and priorities change, and splitting up is the best way for both to live life in their own terms without stringing their partner along with it when they don’t want to

[@ninf5041]

Yall delusional and toxic asf​@@redietmengesha8041

[@samanthadancelover]

The first High School Musical came out when I was 4. I turned 5 that summer and I am 20 years turning 21 in two months and still to this day, I love to watch all the HSM Movies!!!!

[@signiiture]

I recently downloaded them again, my dvds got lost over the years 😢

[@samanthadancelover]

@@signiiture Do you have Disney plus? All 3 movies are on Disney plus. Also I have moved a Lot and I think all of my dads were broken so I bought the movies again but I bought the three movie collection one so I can have all three movies in the same case

[@signiiture]

@@samanthadancelover nah, but we have Disney Channel though 😂 For me, Disney plus would be a waste because I have watched most of my favourite series & movies before, even the latest ones Plus, the wifi connection here at home is bad for streaming... at varsity it's good, but with online learning I'm staying at home

[@samanthadancelover]

@@signiiture ok

[@badumtiss5288]

Wow , We're Really Close In Age . I'll Be 21 In September

[@marissat6325]

I grew up watching her as a kid & teen. As a Filipina American, I never saw myself for a while. But seeing her in suite life & HSM, I finally saw myself in her. I saw someone who looks like me 🇵🇭💙💛❤️😭🥺🥹🥲

[@astrology2290]

why do you obsessively need to see yourself on tv? can't you watch it for what it is? You need professional help.

[@heavythinker16]

@@astrology2290 It's called representation.

[@propogandalf]

@@astrology2290 Guarantee you're saying this as someone who sees themself on TV on the regular

[@BRBallin1]

@@astrology2290 if you’re a white or even black person this is not an issue for you to worry about but for many minorities that immigrated to the US during the past 50 years or so, being represented in a country that you consider as your one true home is crucial to feeling like you matter and aren’t seen as a 2nd class citizen

[@mrscitrine3592]

@@astrology2290 obsessively 🙄

[@Chloede_]

I was 9 when HSM came out, so peak age. It was huge globally! We even incorporated the songs into our school plays and taught teachers the dances! It’s wild to me that so much time has passed and how big it was at the time. My mum is from the Grease generation and I remember her always saying it’s our generations Grease!

[@theglamspot24]

Vanessa is aging like wine she's stunning😍😍 I've always been a huge fan since HSM days. Growin' up watching her she was my idol🥰

[@alexcarratu5554]

Vanessa is one angelically beautiful human being and has a beautiful smile too, as well as being good-hearted.

[@RoguePanda93]

She was my fave during HSM and she is still my fave now. So talented! Gosh what a girl-crush 😍

[@kxlyn]

1:37 "musicals dont go out of style" I relate to this!!! For the past ~15 years, i could watch HSM, any disney channel musical, hairspray, etc on any day. But w other movies, i need to be in the mood LOL

[@Prettygirlcn5]

Vanessa's albums V and Identified are still played on my ipod-which still works and I am still ready & waiting for more music from her!

[@xkiaradanielle]

Me too!! Sends me back everytime

[@TheDachic]

Meee tooo! My favorite from identified is still party on the moon till this day!

[@signiiture]

"Say Okay" never left my head since 2006/7 When I listen to it everytime it makes me think of happiness in a physical form

[@deborahcarvalho542]

@@TheDachic ahhhh, I love hook it up and don't leave 😍

[@Brooke-qm6zp]

“Whatever will be will be” & “I rather be with you” is still a hit!

[@leonorep.9162]

Why does Kelly Clarkson not let people finish their sentence?

[@JuanEscorciaA]

KELLY!!! LET PEOPLE TALK!!! LET THEM FINSIH THEIR STORIES!!!!

[@jof6619]

If it bothers you, watch a different show!

[@JuanEscorciaA]

@@jof6619 hahahahaha yo i love kelly but a fact is a fact

[@MariaMartinez_07]

Omg agreed! She cuts everyone off…

[@jameshawkins8966]

​@@jof6619 thats the problem with you karen you hate being corrected which can lead to improvement instead youre ego gets in the way stfu

[@jackdriver9227]

Me: Once apon a time I was working in...Kelly: Me to I remember working to like blah blah

[@iamikkiv6506]

Loved that interview, but it bothered me how often Kelly interrupted and spoke over Vanessa.

[@claudiachansa9777]

Kelly is such a great interviewer. She keeps the conversation going

[@lornaperez]

I met Vanessa when she was in new york city. I used to make her coffee when she was filming TTB few years ago. She was nice and bubbly in person too.

[@YmarieP1]

I lost count of the so many times I watched all of the HSM movies. I was obsessed!! Now I get to watch with my daughter who is also obsessed!! 💕

[@leslieb414]

Happy to have grown up on HSM era I remember vividly when it came out, and I'm still a fan 💖

[@bernardhoward8279]

Hello beautiful.....I am Bernard Howard , Sorry to bother you with my message. I came across your profile and I must say you are really beautiful. How are you doing today? I really will love to chat with you. Hope to hear from you.

[@literallymylife_]

remember we’re all in this together 🥺

[@EdwardSanchezProductions]

I love high school musical so much

[@vitizhimo1808]

She look like Disney Princess 😍

[@k.kyungseok]

I first watched HSM when I was 5th grade back in 2007. Now I am 29 years old, I still love HSM. I have their playlist. It's really magical back in the day until now. ❤ I am so happy I grew up watching this. ❤😊

[@NJB1920]

I love Vanessa Hudgens so much and she does looks amazing it's like she doesn't age at all still beloved by everyone Gabriella Montez, I love hear her singing her voice is so amazing it would be so awesome to hear her voice again 💖

[@grateful_melo]

awww my childhood! Still give me a goosebump when I see Vanessa or Zac

[@userrr8007]

Zanessa ist still in my Heart 🫠❤️

[@sofiekathleen4059]

I love her! I grew up with her ❤️❤️❤️ Vanessa will always be Gabriella!

[@Akiromichiko]

she never aged.

[@patrikkcardona4022]

I love Kelly ❤️ she's An amazing person but I always feel like she doesn't let her guest talk sometimes cuz she loves the sound of her own voice... she should let her guest shine & have there moment....

[@shanikacoakley2169]

She just kept cutting Vanessa off

[@user-dk3rx8vm3n]

Can't agree more with you! We was constantly interrupting Vanessa

[@johngabriel23]

American Talk Shows be like... They should learn from Graham Norton.

[@josetookrazzyy8865]

I was truly feeling this

[@Siabeysment]

Say ok & sneaker night was and IS still a bop!

[@christinellanes465]

Red, white and the florals are so HSM vibes ❤🌼

[@og3171995]

I would LOVE if Vanessa released more music! Her two albums were my 6th-8th grade school years. I was obsessed!

[@josephlewis9237]

I'm also a fan of Kelly, I really like her. She's genuinely one of my heroes and idols.

[@lucylewis4288]

God I love her voice so much ☺️

[@bierelleve9088]

Still re-watching the trilogy up till this day. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL TRULY IS GOLD! "Once a wildcat, Always a wildcat."

[@user-ou3yh7py2k]

Im still listening the highschool musical song .my favorite playlist

[@pinkiestcastle097]

She is everywhere right now! And I'm not complaining ✨💅

[@josephlewis9237]

Love Vanessa Hudgens. She's beautiful, she's a great actress, I like her personality, she's got a sweet singing voice, she's got a radiant smile, she's got such a pretty face and I've had a crush on her since I was 9.

[@johndunbar593]

Vanessa hudgens will always be the love of my life

[@HulkVahkiin]

I can't believe it's almost 20 years.....heck, forget 20 years - I still feel it was yesterday they did that special reunion show in 2016.

[@viktormerlot1481]

What a great interview! Both ladies are beautiful & have wonderful personality.

[@rebeccakings754]

Man I grew up in High School Musical. I was obsessed!! I will definitely show my kids (:

[@jalyntaylor7609]

I was 10 or 11 when HSM came out. I was a Disney Channel and HSM Stan. I also LOVED the Cheetah Girls!! Also, “Say Ok” is my fav Vanessa song!

[@aliciaavilabo2037]

she hasn’t changed not one bit even her voice sounds the same wowww

[@rowanbeta3]

Would be great if Kelly could stop interrupting her guest mid-sentence or everytime she spoke

[@freya4729]

Live her confidence 😍 she is beautiful

[@AveryBui1402]

Vanessa is my childhood and she's actually very good at acting and singing. Her voice is like a princess

[@multifandomedits8817]

Gosh i love Vanessa she never lets me down i love her no matter what people Say about her, these haters love hating on her cuz of her flaws as a girlfriend, she can Act, sing and dance very well and Great! I love her no matter what haters Say about her.

[@berrisfueller6221]

I will say, I think something that is off-putting about her is her comments regarding the whole coronavirus thing. I know it’s from like 2 years ago and she apologized, and she may have not meant anything bad by it. But she could be a nice and good person irl.

[@AceyComeAceyGo]

ooohhh i miss her... i love her voice then and now.. cant wait for that jazz thing if she's really gonna do it 😍

[@hanginthere1101]

This interview just put a smile on my face.

[@Jai_jaila]

Kenny Ortega has the gift. I watched Julie and the Phantoms and I loved it! it has the same vibe as HSM, the songs make you feel so good, they thrill!

[@sashaweasley6141]

yessss

[@biabia6610]

Love them both! 🖤🖤

[@NinaReviewsThings]

She looks soooooo GORGEOUS!

[@klaudiaheyy]

Musicals definitely don’t go out of style because I still love Mamma Mia!

[@Diego_Fuego481]

Vanessa will forever be my Celebrity / Childhood crush😍

[@crazy4corbinbleux]

Who remembers Sneakernight??

[@jvalentino6466]

Nooooo lol

[@multifandomedits8817]

Meee that song is such a bop!!!!! It deserved better!!!!!! I Will not forgive anyone to let this song flop!

[@8luvbug]

Say ok >>>>>

[@garyreimer6791]

Absolutely love her. ❤️❤️

[@user-xb1gt7mg6e]

I made my brother watch it in 2024 and he is obsessed .It continues to live on❤

[@svtbtstxten-got7skz3]

Still in love with her

[@rosulep5281]

HSM reminds us of good old day. Its everything. It was non toxic, almost everyone loved it. Everyone with different styles. HSM is like the good old day before this all started. I just miss HSM.

[@PonySparkleToys]

Wow. This year High School Musical will be 16 years since it came out! I was 3 when it came out and now I’m 19. My older sister really like High School Musical when she was younger. I can’t believe it came out in 2006.

[@victoriamciver9900]

Vanessa looks great still Very beautiful!💖

[@bernardhoward8279]

Hello beautiful.....I am Bernard Howard , Sorry to bother you with my message. I came across your profile and I must say you are really beautiful. How are you doing today? I really will love to chat with you. Hope to hear from you.

[@johnmichaelmagdasoc5215]

Why her voice is just as she age when she's on HSM, never get old

[@DaviHughes]

Oh the memories of watching it back in ‘06. I still watch an awful lot of that movie nowadays… funny enough my mom buys party supplies for her store and once we went shopping together and we ran into this tiny story with an old stock of high school musical party stickers and lol, me at age 27 was all like “mom can you get this for me” and she was like “yeah” but I KNOW deep inside she was all like “still????” lol

[@adrianaavila8853]

Haha! Nothing to be ashamed about. Forever and always a fav movie franchise of mine

[@floralbeautyful]

I love that. Wish I could find shops with old stock like that near me

[@KyloRen4238]

Happy B-day Vanessa Hudgens. Your beautiful. I love Bad Boys 3 For Life, HighSchool Musical, Robot Chicken, Drake & Josh and The Suite of Zack & Cody. U were amazing, Bad Boys For Life really kick-ass. U were amazing...! HighSchool Musical... u got the voice of an angel. U sing awesome, seriously, full respect. May the Peace be with u Vanessa Hudgens. From Harlingen Texas. December 14, 1988 December 14, 2022 through December 14, 3022

[@chidinmaruth7049]

She still looks the same.. She isn't aging at all.. So beautiful 🥰

[@niclesnyc]

Did anyone see her in GIGI besides me? She is really talented.

[@jorgegonzalezmendez3884]

I need more music from Vanessa :)

[@amateurmeteorologistjoshbrown]

I was about 8-years old when I watched the first High School Musical movie, but I am 24 now and I never forgot about it!

[@beautykondeh2158]

I love vanessa so much.. i mean she's amazing❤❤

[@AlexanderWu4587]

I still can’t believe the original High School Musical came out 2 days before my 11th birthday and now I’m 28. God, I feel old. Especially now that Disney+ has the 4th season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series coming soon. It’s nice seeing kids now discovering this beloved franchise. Not to mention the cast reuniting for a special sing along version of We’re All in This Together back during 2020 when the COVID pandemic was a thing.

[@casandrablue2284]

Dude fr she really looks the same, dang so gorgeous and I'm 24 and have re watched HSM a million times and would a million more😍

[@vanessafisioeteacher96]

It's amazing and I learned English with High school musical guys. Wow it's been a part of my life since forever.

[@kathycooke2501]

I'm from that generation that loved it when it first came out etc and I still love her now bc she's so like down to earth and real. Also 15 years ago wtf. Also Kelly's dress is a want and need

[@aarenleigh6575]

How does she look so fantastic!!!? 💕🌟

[@yvettegarcia2497]

Love her outfit! She is so naturally beautiful

[@kendraatcherson1458]

0:26 & 0:29 - I watch Vanessa on ‘High School Musical’ a Disney Channel Original Movie before 😍.

[@bigdawg3143]

She’s so beautiful 😍

[@saucygyal6480]

Always been a fan of sis and her siren voice & looks

[@Swordtee40]

She will always be Gabriella to me

[@GABRIELAHNICOLAU]

I LOVE YOU VANESSA HUDGENS E HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

[@dhemingministries1740]

I’m with you girl!!! All about the jazz!!! ❤️🎶🎷

[@briterry4961]

I'm upset about how "long ago" high school musical came out.. feels like yesterday I was watching it for the 15th time after school on Disney channel. 😢

[@nicolebarrett5856]

I Remember High School Musical(1,2,3 Senior Year I Still Watch The Videos And Music😀😀😎😎😀😀😎😎😀😀😎😎😀😀😎😎😀

[@arvinaguila2156]

Highschool musical is the best musical I've ever watched

[@ceci2673]

She is lovely ❤️

[@davidtessy6146]

This topic will never be old

[@Dodopuk]

She’s still so pretty and pop.

[@KyloRen4238]

Vanessa Hudgens Shows 1. Butterbear, Erin Esurance, Lara Lor-Van - Robot Chicken 2009 2. Corrie - The Suite of Zack & Cody 2006 3. Rebecca - Drake & Josh 2006 Movies 4. Kelly - Bad Boys 3 2020 5. Kailani - Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 2012 6. Gabriella Montez, Soundtrack - HighSchool Musical 1, 2, 3 2006 - 2007 - 2008

[@possiblybia]

Lovely Vanessa, the High School Musical queen🌹. HSM will FOREVER be an iconic unforgettable part of my childhood❤️🤍. They managed to leave such a mark that their whole soundtrack has stayed not just with me but with everyone in my age group. I was completely obsessed and today these songs can still rescue me from any sad bad mood lol no lie. It will never die. It’s so strange to see all the people from the same generation as me, now fully into their twenties and you can just tell these songs are ingrained in most of us😂. Tell me how has it been 16 years?!?? This was the elite Disney era and HSM was the peak.

[@redietmengesha8041]

True words you spoke #HSMforever 💖💖💖 #onceaWildCatalwaysWildCat 🐅🐅🐅

[@jeniferwendt15]

I never like hsm but I loved her in Greece. She did so good!

[@adrianaavila8853]

Haha, it’s Grease like the thing not the country Greece 🇬🇷

[@nicholeowens7847]

Can’t believe I was 6 or 7 years old when HSM came out and I still fuck with it

[@isabelfavaro8578]

Me too