Vanessa
Biography
Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born on December 14, 1988 in Salinas, California, but grew up in San Diego, California. Her film debut came in 2003 in the movie, "Thirteen" and later that year she had a major part in the movie, "Thunderbirds." Vanessa is most famous for her roles of Corrie on the hit children's show, "The Suite Life of Zack And Cody" and Gabriella Montez on the Disney Channel Original Movie, "High School Musical." She is of Irish and Native American descent on her father's side and of Filipino, Hispanic and Chinese descent on her Mother's side.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens showed a talent for performing so early in life that she was appearing on-stage in musicals by the time she was eight years old. After appearing in shows like "The Wizard of Oz," "Carousel," and "The Music Man," Hudgens won an audition for a commercial, which was the catalyst her career needed to transplant her to L.A. Her feature-film debut came in 2002 with the movie "Thirteen," though it wasn't until a few years later that her popularity skyrocketed when she was cast in the Disney TV movie, "High School Musical." A chance both to showcase her charisma and her singing ability, the movie became a huge success that was wildly popular among kids and pre-teens. The young actress then preceded to sign on for the sequel while heading into the studio to record her first solo CD.