- Olesya Rulin
-
Olesya Rulin 
Born March 17, 1986
Moscow, RussiaOccupation Actress, singer Years active 2001–present Olesya Rulin (Russian: Oлeся Pулин; born March 17, 1986) is a Russian-American actress and singer who is perhaps best known for co-starring in the first three films of the High School Musical franchise as Kelsi Nielsen. She also starred in the films Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2008) and Flying By (2009).
Contents
Early life
Rulin was born Olesya Rulinkova in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. She spent her early childhood in the Likhoslavl[1](Population: 12,000) located three hours north of Moscow.[2] She was eight[3] when she migrated to the United States to rejoin her father who had done so two years earlier. They lived first in Texas then later in Utah. She can read, write and speak in fluent Russian. She is also a trained ballet dancer. When she was 12,[3] she entered a model search contest at the urging of her mother and won representation by four different agencies.[2] Prior to acting full-time, she worked for a year as a certified nursing assistant and also at stores such as Victoria's Secret;[4] she was working at a Nordstrom store when the first High School Musical came out.[1] She was studying economics in Paris when the casting for High School Musical 2 was being done.[1] Rulin graduated from West Jordan High School in 2005.
Acting career
In addition to her role in High School Musical and High School Musical 2, and High School Musical 3, her other credits include the Disney Channel Original Movies Halloweentown High, The Poof Point and Hounded, the television series Everwood and the feature films Forever Strong, Mobsters and Mormons and The Dance. Rulin's part in High School Musical 2 was significantly larger than the first movie, including a solo in "You Are The Music In Me" and a few lines in "Work This Out".[5] Rulin reprised her role as Kelsi Nielsen in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, also with a larger part, and performed in three songs, one of them being a duet alongside Lucas Gabreel.[6] Rulin is also co-starred alongside Jessica Simpson in the film Major Movie Star (released in the United States under the title Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous).[7][8] In 2009, Rulin co-starred with Billy Ray Cyrus and Heather Locklear in a drama film Flying By.[9]
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 2001 The Poof Point Annie Made for television (Disney Channel) Hounded Girl #1 Made for television (Disney Channel) 2002 Touched by an Angel High School Student 1 episode 2004 Everwood The Drunk Girl 1 episode Halloweentown High Natalie the Pink Troll Made for television (Disney Channel) 2005 Urban Legends: Bloody Mary Mindy - Samantha's Friend #2 Direct-to-video film Mobsters and Mormons Julie Jaymes Main role 2006 High School Musical Kelsi Nielsen made for television (Disney Channel) Vampire Chicks with Chainsaws Sariah Direct-to-video film 2007 American Pastime Cathy Reyes appearances The Dance Britney Independent film High School Musical 2 Kelsi Nielsen made for television (Disney Channel) 2008 Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous Petrovich Main Role Forever Strong Emily's Friend Theatrical film High School Musical 3: Senior Year Kelsi Nielsen Theatrical film, supporting role 2009 Flying By Ellie Direct-to-video film Greek Abby Recurring role 2010 Apart Emily Gates Theatrical film Expecting Mary Mary Lead role CSI: Miami Andrea Williams Television series (Episode "Mommie Deadest") The Mentalist Sam Starks Television series (Episode "Red Ponies") A Thousand Cuts Melanie Upcoming film 2011 Family Weekend Emily Smith-Dungy Upcoming film 2012 High School Musical 4:Reunion Kelsi Nielson/Sharpay Fan 1 Disney Film References
- ^ a b c Richard Huff (2007-12-28). "Olesya Rulin prepares for 'High School Musical 3'". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/12/28/2007-12-28_olesya_rulin_prepares_for_high_school_mu.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ a b Holly Siegel. "Behind the scenes with HSM's Oleysa Rulin". Elle Girl. http://www.ellegirl.com/entertainment/tv_movies/content/high_school_musical.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ a b "Report from Disney's High School Musical 2 DVD Launch at El Capitan Theatre". ultimatedisney.com. 2007-11-19. http://www.ultimatedisney.com/highschoolmusical2-elcapitan.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ Lynn Barker (2007-11-30). "High School Musical 2 - DVD Premiere Chats". www.teenmusic.com. http://www.teenmusic.com/d.asp?r=164259&c=1004&p=2. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ The Graphic - Going back to ?High School?
- ^ High School Musical 3 page on Olesya's Official Site Friday, April 11, 2008
- ^ ‘High School Musical’ Star Reports For Duty In ‘Simpson’s ‘Major Movie Star’ Monday, August 20, 2007 at 9:30 am
- ^ Rulin is From Russia with Love Retrieved Wednesday, August 15th, 2007
- ^ Flying high: Cyrus, Rulin join indie pic Wednesday, October 24, 2007
External links
Categories:- 1986 births
- Living people
- 21st-century actors
- Actors from Texas
- Actors from Utah
- American child actors
- American dance musicians
- American female singers
- American film actors
- American people of Russian descent
- American pop singers
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- Russian emigrants to the United States
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
