Vanessa Hudgens

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Vanessa Hudgens
Also known as =


Img_capt = Vanessa Hudgens performing at the ""
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Vanessa Anne Hudgens
Born = birth date and age|mf=yes|1988|12|14
Salinas, California, United States
Genre = Pop, teen pop, dance-pop
Occupation = Actress, singer, Spokesperson, model
Years_active = 2003–present
Label = Walt Disney, Hollywood
Associated_acts = Lil Mama, Corbin Bleu, Andrew Seeley, Mandy Moore
URL =

Vanessa Anne Hudgens (born December 14, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She made her debut in 2003 appearing in the Hollywood films "Thirteen" and "Thunderbirds", before reaching fame in 2006 after appearing as Gabriella Montez in the Disney Channel film "High School Musical" hit series. Hudgens began a music career and released her debut album, "V", in 2006. Her sophomore album, "Identified", was released July 1, 2008. She is currently a Neutrogena spokesperson, the face of Sears and Ecko footwear.

Early life

Hudgens was born in Salinas, California, the daughter of Gina (née Guangco) and Greg Hudgens. [cite web | title=Vanessa Hudgens and father Greg Hudgens- Rubik's Revolution | url= http://news.corporate.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20070616/16jun20070855.html| accessdate=July 20 | accessyear=2007] cite web |url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=81617 |title=Vanessa Hudgens: 'I love being a Filipina '|accessdate=2007-09-18|author=Ruben V. Nepales|date=August 9, 2009|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer] She has a younger sister, Stella Hudgens. Hudgens's 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.cite web | author=Lynn Barker |publisher=TeenHollywood | date=May 17, 2006 |title=Interview: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens: High School Musical | url=http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=123403&c=1038&p=10 | accessdate=2007-01-06 |quote=Vanessa: Gosh, I'm everything. Pretty much I'm Filipino and Caucasian but within that, I'm Spanish, Chinese, American Indian, Irish.] Hudgens has been home-schooled since after her seventh-grade year at the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Starting at the age of eight, Hudgens performed in musical theater as a singer, and appeared in local productions of "Carousel", "The Wizard of Oz", "The King and I", "The Music Man", and "Cinderella", among others.cite web | title=myspace.com/vanessahudgens | work=Vanessa Hudgens Official Myspace (biography) | url=http://www.myspace.com/vanessahudgens | accessdate=2007-06-20] She got her first gig when her friend couldn't go to an audition for a commercial and asked if Hudgens could go.

Career

Early work

Hudgens debuted in "Thirteen" as Noel and appeared in the 2004 film "Thunderbirds" as Tintin and appearances include guest roles on "Quintuplets", "Still Standing", "The Brothers García" and "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" (episode title - Forever Plaid), as Corrie. Hudgens also appeared on "Drake & Josh", playing Drake's girlfriend, Rebecca.

2005-2006: "High School Musical"

Hudgens' largest role among teenage audiences has been starring in the Disney Channel movie series "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2", starring as the beautiful, shy, intelligent student Gabriella Montez. She auditioned for Gabriella with the song "Angels" by Robbie Williams. Hudgens and Efron had won "Best Chemistry" award at the Teen Choice Awards for their roles.cite web | title=Businesswire.com | work=Vanessa Hudgens will tour with the Cheetah Girls | url=http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060728005138&newsLang=en | accessdate=July 28 | accessyear=2006] The first "High School Musical" spawned a hit soundtrack, a worldwide concert tour, a show at Walt Disney World, and even a book series that helped Hudgens land in "Forbes" magazine's list of top-earning stars under 21." In the list, the 18-year-old Hudgens was No. 7 with estimated earnings of $2 million. [ [http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/23/celebrities-hollywood-earnings-tech-ent_cz_lg_0226youngstars_slide_8.html?thisSpeed=30000 In Pictures: Young Hollywood's Top Earners - Forbes.com ] ] . Hudgens signed a record deal with Hollywood Records in 2006 as the start of her solo career.

Hudgens launched a worldwide tour with the rest of the cast of "High School Musical" in fall 2006, performing the songs from the soundtrack album as well of three songs from her debut album, which was released on 2007.cite web | url=http://highschoolmusical.aeglive.com/tour.php | title= High School Musical The Concert | author=Disney| publisher=Disney | accessdate=2008-07-20] A DVD and an album named "" were released in 2007, featuring only one of the three songs performed by Hudgens from her debut album in the tour.

After the tour, Hudgens started concentrating on her music career, first by covering the song "Colors Of The Wind" for "Disneymania 5" album in 2006.

2006-2007: "V"

Hudgens' debut album, entitled "V", was released in early September 2006. "V" debuted on the "Billboard" 200 in early October 2006 at number twenty-four on the chart, with 34,000 copies sold that week. [cite news |first=Katie |last=Hasty |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Ludacris Scores Third No. 1 With 'Release Therapy' |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003219507 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |date=October 4, 2006 |accessdate=2008-07-24] A music video for her first single, "Come Back To Me", debuted after the world premiere of "The Cheetah Girls 2" in late August. The official music video for her second single, "Say OK", was first shown following the premiere of Disney's "Jump In!". In August 2007 at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards, Hudgens was named the Choice Breakout Singer - Female. [cite news |first=Michael |last=Cidoni |title='Pirates,' Sophia Bush Top Teen Awards |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/26/AR2007082601514.html |work=Associated Press |date=August 27, 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-09] Hudgens promoted the album when opening for The Cheetah Girls during their The Party's Just Begun Tour. The album has been certified Gold in the U.S. for reaching 500,000 copies shipped. The album was re-released in a limited Deluxe Edition format, released only in Japan.cite web | url=http://mora.jp/package/80307944/AVCW-13089/ | title= V Deluxe Edition| author=amazon.jp| publisher=Amazon] The album was certified Gold for shipments to retailers of 500,000 copies. The album was nominated as #7 on "Album of The Year" by Billboard Readers' Choice.cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2007/readers/index.html | title=Billboard Best Album Readers' Choice | author=Billboard| publisher=Billboard | accessdate=2008-07-24] Hudgens sang the duet "Still There For Me" with Corbin Bleu for his debut album.

Hudgens also appeared on the soundtrack of "High School Musical 2", performing several songs such as "Gotta Go My Own Way", "You Are The Music In Me" and "What Time Is It?". In the end of 2007, she had performed "The Christmas Song" along with Katharine McPhee and Ne-Yo for "Christmas In Washington" event.

2008-present: "Identified" and future projects

Hudgens's second album was "Identified". The first single from this album, "Sneakernight", premiered on Radio Disney on April 11, 2008. The song was used as part of her deal with Red by Marc Ecko. [ [http://hudgens.ecko.com Vanessa Hudgens' Ecko Page ] ] On the first week of the release of her album, "Identified" sold more than 22,000 copies, 12,000 less than her debut album. Though the album had poor sales its first week, "Identified" received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album was released a week before the United States in Japan featuring three exclusive-bonus songs.

Hudgens launched on July 31, 2008 her first solo tour called "Identified Summer Tour" in order to promote her two albums, performing some of the most popular songs from her debut album and others from her sophomore album. The tour reached Mexico too and she appeared in the Neutrogena Fresh Face Concert. As of October 2008, she has officially closed the concert tour.

On January 11, 2008, "The Hollywood Reporter" announced that Hudgens would star in the comedy, "Bandslam" , alongside Gaelan Connell, Alyson Michalka, and Lisa Kudrow. Hudgens will play 15-year old Sam. cite web | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4707d81dca25b84728d90e674475f1b0 | title='Musical' star fills 'Will' bill | author=Borys Kit (The Hollywood Reporter) | date=January 11, 2008 | accessdate=2008-01-11]

Hudgens reprised her role as Gabriella for the third time in "". She also will appear on the , performing songs such as "Can I Have This Dance" and "Walk Away". Also, the song "Can I Have This Dance?" was released as a promotionl single from the soundtrack, with the song being released on iTunes but was later removed. cite web | url=http://disneymusic.disney.go.com/albums/hsm3.html | title=Vanessa Hudgens will appear in the "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" soundtrack| author=Disney| publisher=Disney Records | accessdate=2008-08-29] She also presented an award in the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards along with the rest of the "HSM" cast.cite web | url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2008/08/28/more-2008-vma-vips-high-school-musical-3-cast-to-present-a-moonman/ | title=More 2008 VMA VIPs: 'High School Musical 3′ Cast To Present A Moonman| author=MTV| publisher=MTV | accessdate=2008-07-29] Hudgens and the cast of "HSM 3" launched a European promotional tour to promote the movie.cite web | url=http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/09/27/vanessa-hudgens-zac-efron-together-again/ | title=Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron Are Together Again!| author=JustJared| publisher=JustJared | accessdate=2008-09-27] Vanessa made only $2 million for the film, reportedly due to the photo scandal that hurt her image [Angela Carson (September 8, 2008). [http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272622565.shtml High School Musical Makes Millionaires: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale] . "National Ledger". Accessed 2008-09-23] (see below).

Products and endorsement

In 2007, Hudgens signed a promotional deal for the Eckō Red footwear in which she had two commercials for it and had "Sneakernight" as her first single for her sophomore album, "Identified" which she endorsed the sneakers in the video. [cite web | url=http://hudgens.ecko.com/| title=Vanessa Hudgens partners with Ecko Red| publisher=Ecko ] Sears has teamed up with Hudgens to give teens and tweens the confidence to go back to school in style. Beginning in July and led by the theme, "Don't just go back. Arrive." Hudgens is featured in an integrated marketing campaign, including print ads, long-format video, television spots, digital, and sweeps that included a private concert at a school with Vanessa performing.

The long-format video was shot by Grammy award-winning director Joseph Kahn, who is renowned in the world of music videos for his work with Britney Spears, Eminem, Mariah Carey, U2, Destiny's Child and Black Eyed Peas, among others."I like to make a fashion statement by changing up my look with different styles," explains Hudgens. "Sears is a great place for those heading back to school this year because you can find an entire wardrobe of fun 'looks' to suit any mood or fashion sense. Plus, since the clothes are so affordable, you can easily switch styles and really get noticed when you arrive back at school." [cite web | url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/sears-high-school-musicals-vanessa/story.aspx?guid={142DFD8A-B835-49BB-9CA2-81191029F069}&dist=hppr| title=Sears and High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens Urge Kids 'Don't Just Go Back. Arrive.'| publisher=Market Watch | accessdate=2008-07-15]

Hudgens is also currently a Neutrogena spokesperson. "Vanessa Hudgens has an energetic, dynamic personality that will truly complement the spirit of Neutrogena. We are pleased to welcome her to our team", says Neutrogena President, North America, Jim Colleran. As a new spokesperson for Neutrogena, Hudgens will be featured in both national TV and print campaigns. She joins fellow Neutrogena spokespersons Kelly Preston, Susie Castillo, Gabrielle Union, Hayden Panettiere, Julie Bowen, Kristin Kreuk and Paola Rey, each of whom will continue in their role as Neutrogena representatives. [cite web | url=http://www.neutrogena.com/vanessa.asp| title=New Neutrogena Spokesperson:Vanessa Hudgens| publisher=Neutrogena ] In September 2008, she had appeared in the "Neutrogena Fresh Face Concert".

Image and personal life

Hudgens confirmed, in an interview with "Teen Magazine" as of October 2007, that she is dating her "High School Musical" series co-star Zac Efron. [ [http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/30/people/main3221385.shtml Showbuzz.com] ] [ [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20052827,00.html Zac & Vanessa's Real-Life Romance] (August 22, 2007) People.com. Accessed 2008-09-09.] In an interview, Hudgens' publicist stated that her music video for "Say OK" was their official "come-out" as a couple. At 2008, she was ranked as FHM's 62nd Sexiest Woman [ [http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/celebrity/PhotoGalleries/article.aspx?cp-documentid=8153845 List of 2008's sexiest women in the world] ] and Maxim's number 12 in their 100 Hot List. [ [http://www.truveo.com/HSM-News-Vanessa-Hudgens-Got-On-12-Maxims-Hot/id/2295834915 Vanessa Hudgens got on Maxim's Hot 100 List] ] She was included in People magazine's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" list in May 2008. She was also voted Bop Magazine's 7th Hottest Star as Hot Breakout Star'. As of 2008, she had been a covergirl for Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl and Lucky Magazine. She had also took photoshoots with on-and-off-screen boyfriend, Zac Efron and "High School Musical" co-star Ashley Tisdale for Elle Magazine, [ [http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/08/01/zac-vanessa-elle-magazine/ Zac and Vanessa Heat Up Elle Magazine] ] Glamour Magazine for the May issue and InStyle for October. [ [http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/09/25/vanessa-hudgens-instyle/ Vanessa Hudgens 'InStyle' October 2008] ]

On September 6, 2007, controversy erupted after provocative photos of Hudgens surfaced online. Two showed her posing in suggestive lingerie, and another showed her nude. A statement from her publicist claims that the photo was taken privately and it was "unfortunate" that they were released on the Internet. [ [http://www.usmagazine.com/vanessa_hudgens_nude_photo_it_is_unfortunate_this_has_become_public Vanessa Hudgens Nude Photo: "It Is Unfortunate This Has Become Public"] . (September 6, 2007) USMagazine.com. Accessed 2008-09-09.] Hudgens later apologized, saying that she was "embarrassed over the situation" and regretted having "taken [those] photos." [ [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20055380,00.html Vanessa Hudgens 'Embarrassed,' Apologizes for Nude Photo] . (September 8, 2007) People.com. Accessed 2008-09-09.] Disney Channel spokeswoman Patti McTeague indicated that Disney will still be working with Hudgens, stating, "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment. We hope she's learned a valuable lesson." [ [http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx/?news=274685 Hudgens Apologizes For Nude Photo] . TV.msn. Accessed 2008-09-09.] [Gina Keating and Sue Zeidler (September 7, 2007). [http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0746838620070908 Disney backs star after her apology for nude photo] Reuters.com. Accessed 2008-09-09.] After the scandal blew out, she quoted, "I'm much better now. But truthfully I don't like talking about it. It was something that was meant to be private, and even though it isn't anymore, I'd still like to keep it as private as I can. It was very traumatic, and I am extremely upset it happened. I hope all my fans can learn from my mistake and make smart decisions. But I wouldn't have been able to get through it if it wasn't for my family, friends, and fans, who supported me all along the way". [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22490759/ Vanessa Hudgens comes clean about nude pics] (January 3, 2008) "MSNBC". Accessed 2008-09-27.]

Previously, Hudgens was sued by music producer Johnny Vieira who claims she reneged on a deal to share her earnings with him after he helped make her a star. In the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Vieira accuses Hudgens and father, Greg Hudgens, of breach of contract and fraud, seeking more than $27 million in damages. Hudgens' record label, Hollywood, also is named as a defendant in the suit. But Vieira says he was dumped from Hudgens' management team soon after she was cast in "HSM". According to the suit, they subsequently reached a settlement under which Hudgens agreed to pay Vieira a percentage of her earnings from her first three albums under her solo recording contract with Hollywood Records. However, "it became clear that Hudgens and her new 'team' ... all directed by her father ... would take every possible opportunity to deprive Vieira of the benefits to be derived from the settlement agreement," the lawsuit says. Hudgens' publicist could not immediately be reached for comment. A Disney spokesman said the company had not had a chance to review the lawsuit.". [ [http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20080812/386/ten-disney-star-vanessa-hudgens-sued-by.html Vanessa Hudgens sued by music producer] (August 13, 2008) "Yahoo". Accessed 2008-09-27.]

Filmography

Films

Discography

tudio albums

*2006: "V"
*2008: "Identified"

DVDs

* 2007: ""

Live albums

* 2007: ""

oundtracks

* 2006: "High School Musical"
* 2007: "High School Musical 2"
* 2008: ""

Concert tours

* 2006-2007: ""
* 2008: "Identified Summer Tour"

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*imdb name|id=1227814|name=Vanessa Anne Hudgens
*MySpace|vanessahudgens

Persondata
NAME=Hudgens, Vanessa Anne
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American actor
DATE OF BIRTH=December 14, 1988
PLACE OF BIRTH=Salinas, California United States
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=