It’s been nearly two decades since High School Musical premiered on January 20, 2006, launching the careers of its young stars and creating a cultural phenomenon that still resonates today.
The Disney Channel original movie introduced audiences to Zac Efron as basketball star Troy Bolton and Vanessa Hudgens as shy academic Gabriella Montez, two teens who defy their high school cliques to pursue their shared love of theater. With unforgettable songs like “Get’cha Head in the Game,” “Stick to the Status Quo,” and “Breaking Free,” the film became an instant classic.
“The cast and the group of people making that movie was just magical,” Efron told Variety in December 2023. “It was still, to this day, maybe one of the most fun experiences of my whole life, and it just shows on camera… It changed everything for me.”
At a Glance
- High School Musical premiered on January 20, 2006
- The franchise spawned three films and a successful spinoff series
- Most cast members have continued thriving careers in entertainment
- Why it matters: The movie launched multiple successful Hollywood careers and created a lasting cultural impact
The Leading Stars
Zac Efron’s Hollywood Journey
Before Troy Bolton, Efron had only minor TV roles on shows like CSI: Miami and The Guardian. The Disney hit transformed him into a household name.
Post-HSM, his filmography includes:
- Hairspray (2007)
- The Greatest Showman (2017)
- Baywatch (2017)
- Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) as Ted Bundy
- Firestarter (2022)
- The Iron Claw (2023) as Kevin Von Erich
He earned a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 for hosting Netflix’s Down to Earth with Zac Efron.
Vanessa Hudgens’ Multi-Faceted Career
After dropping “Anne” from her professional name, Hudgens built an impressive resume spanning music, film, and theater.
Her achievements include:
- Two albums: V (2006) and Identified (2008)
- Broadway’s Gigi revival (2015)
- Netflix holiday films: The Princess Switch franchise and The Knight Before Christmas
- Tick, Tick… Boom (2021) with Andrew Garfield
She married MLB player Cole Tucker in 2023, and they share two children.
The Supporting Cast Members
Corbin Bleu’s Broadway Success
Despite playing basketball player Chad Danforth who disapproved of Troy’s theatrical ambitions, Bleu embraced performing arts in real life.
His Broadway credits include:
- In the Heights (2010)
- Godspell (2012)
- Holiday Inn (2016)
- Kiss Me, Kate revival (2019)
He placed second on Dancing with the Stars in 2013 and returned to his HSM roots with appearances on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series seasons 3 and 4.
“I did not expect the reaction that I had when walking back into East High,” Bleu told News Of Los Angeles in February 2023. “When I walked into the gym, that was actually when I started crying.”
Ashley Tisdale’s Entertainment Empire
Tisdale’s Sharpay Evans became so iconic she earned her own spinoff movie, Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure (2011).
Her career highlights:
- Continued on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody until 2008
- Voiced Phineas and Ferb from 2007-2015
- Released three albums
- Launched beauty brand
- Starred in Carol’s Second Act (2019-2020)
She married musician Christopher French in 2014. Their first child, Jupiter Iris, arrived in March 2021, followed by Emerson Clover in September 2024.
Lucas Grabeel’s Voice Acting Success
As Sharpay’s brother Ryan Evans, Grabeel continued acting while building a successful voice career.
His post-HSM work includes:
- Switched at Birth
- Family Guy voice work
- Pinky Malinky
- Elena of Avalor
Ryan’s sexuality was finally confirmed in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 4, something director Kenny Ortega had deliberately kept subtle in the original films.
The Rest of the Wildcats
Monique Coleman’s Advocacy Work
Coleman, who played Taylor McKessie, competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2006, placing fourth. She became the UN’s first-ever Youth Champion in 2010 and founded Gimme Mo, an organization empowering youth. She reunited with Bleu for 2021’s A Christmas Dance Reunion.
Olesya Rulin’s Continued Acting
As shy pianist Kelsi, Rulin continued acting post-HSM with roles on The Mentalist, CSI: Miami, Greek, and Powers. She and husband Joseph Noel Pauline welcomed daughter Ondine Michelle Pauline in 2022.
KayCee Stroh’s Selective Return
Stroh, who played Martha Cox, largely stepped away from acting after 2011, though she returned for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in 2019. She’s been married to Ben Higginson since 2009, and they share two daughters.
Alyson Reed’s Broadway Legacy
Before playing theater teacher Ms. Darbus, Reed was already a Tony-nominated Broadway star. Post-HSM, she’s appeared on How to Get Away with Murder, NCIS, Grace and Frankie, Modern Family, and in 2019’s Ad Astra. She also returned for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 4.
The franchise’s impact extends beyond individual careers. High School Musical spawned three films total, including Sharpay’s spinoff, plus the four-season Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. The original movie didn’t just launch careers-it created a lasting legacy that continues introducing new generations to the power of breaking free from expectations.
