Vanessa Anne Hudgens (born December 14, 1988) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film series. Vanessa Hudgens pursued a solo music career and released her debut album V on September 26, 2006. The album debuted at number twenty four in the U.S. and was later certified Gold. She reprised her role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Hudgens released her second album, Identified in July 1, 2008 in the U.S. She has three upcoming films: Bandslam, in theaters July 31, 2009, Beastly in 2010, and Sucker Punch! in 2011.
Personal life and public image
In an October 2007 interview Vanessa Hudgens said she is dating her High School Musical series co-star Zac Efron and had been since the filming of High School Musical, and was spotted spending time together filming High School Musical 3: Senior Year at Utah, according to Hudgens' interview with Cosmogirl magazine.Vanessa Hudgens was the first cast member of High School Musical to be included in Forbes richest list. In early 2007, it was posted in Forbes website, that Hudgens was included in Young Hollywood's Top Earning-Stars. On December 12, 2008, Hudgens was ranked #20 in the list of Forbes "High Earners Under 30".
With the success of the High School Musical film franchise, she was featured in mainstream lists and magazines which included ranking number 62 at FHM's Sexiest Women in the World of 2008 and number 42 in the 2009 list. Vanessa Hudgens is also featured in Maxim' lists. She was included in People's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" 2008 and 2009 lists.Vanessa Hudgens Nude photo scandal
On September 6, 2007, controversy erupted after provocative photos of Vanessa 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. Hudgens later apologized, saying that she was "embarrassed over the situation" and regretted having "taken [those] photos."Despite early speculation that Vanessa Hudgens would be dropped from High School Musical 3 due to the scandal, The Walt Disney Company denied the reports, saying, "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment. We hope she's learned a valuable lesson."
