The Cast Of High School Musical: Where Are They Now?

It's been 17 years since High School Musical became a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its catchy songs, charming characters, and catchy storyline.

Let's take a look at where the main cast members are now and what they've been up to since their days at East High.

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens portrayed Gabriella Montez, a shy transfer student who became the love interest of the school's heartthrob, Troy Bolton. Since then, Hudgens has excelled in acting, with roles in films such as The Princess Switch, The Knight Before Christmas, and Spring Breakers.

She also starred alongside Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield in the autobiographical musical Tick, Tick... Boom! in 2021, and recently took on a role in Downtown Owl, a book-to-film adaptation about a quiet town in North Dakota.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron shot to stardom as Troy Bolton, the basketball player who discovers his love for singing and performing. After making his debut in High School Musical, Efron has diversified his roles, starring in dozens of films such as Baywatch, Neighbors, 17 Again, and his most recent work, The Greatest Beer Run Ever, which centers on the true story of delivering beer to friends serving in the Vietnam War.

Efron also runs a YouTube channel that focuses on fitness and travel, and he starred in the Netflix travel series Down to Earth With Zac Efron, which was unfortunately canceled by the CW after just two episodes.

Ashley Tisdale

Since her role as the snobby, sharp-tongued Sharpay Evans, Tisdale has delved into film production with works like Cloud 9 and Daphne & Velma, while also contributing to soundtracks. She's continued her acting career, appearing in various projects and released two albums in 2007 and 2009.

The actress also married musician Christopher French in 2014 and gave birth to their first daughter in 2021.

Lucas Grabeel

Lucas Grabeel made his name as Ryan Evans, Sharpay's scheming brother, and has since gone on to star in films like Little Women, I Kissed A Vampire, and more. He has also tried his hand at production roles, and you may have heard his voice on Elena of Avalor and Family Guy as well.

Aside from acting, Lucas Grabeel is also a member of a folk rock band called Midnight Holler.

Corbin Bleu

After portraying Chad Danforth, Troy Bolton's best friend, co-captain, and fellow basketball teammate, Bleu took on roles in several films. In 2022, he rekindled his connection to HSM by appearing as a recurring version of himself in the third and fourth seasons of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

The actor has also released albums, appeared on television shows such as Castle and Supergirl, and married actress Sasha Clements in 2016.

Monique Coleman

After playing Taylor McKessie, Gabriella Montez's smart, kind friend and Scholastic Decathlon team leader, Coleman faced career struggles and found purpose in philanthropy, particularly with Gimme Mo Youth.

She married Walter Jordan, pursued her artistic dreams, and is now writing a children's book. Coleman also starred alongside Corbin Bleu in the fourth season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series as a fictional version of herself.

Olesya Rulin

Rulin rose to fame as Kelsi Nielsen, a shy but pivotal character known for composing catchy songs. After the franchise ended, she starred in movies like Expecting Mary and Family Weekend, and appeared on TV shows like Family Guy, The Mentalist, and CSI: Miami.

Rulin got married to Joseph Pauline in 2021, and they welcomed their first child in 2022.