Vanessa Hudgens' Journey from 'High School Musical' to 'The Masked Singer': A Winning Preparation

How Vanessa Hudgens Iconic High School Musical Past Helped Her Prepare for The Masked Singer

Vanessa Hudgens on The Masked Singer. Michael Becker / FOX

Vanessa Hudgens credits her past projects, such as High School Musical, for helping her prepare for The Masked Singer.

She shared, "I grew up doing musical theater. I’ve been performing since I was literally, like, 4 years old and singing professionally since I was, like, 7, so I’ve been doing it almost my entire life." Hudgens, 35, mentioned in an interview with E! News on Wednesday, May 22, after her victory on the show.

"All those hours don’t go to waste. I got to bring that experience with me into the work I constantly do. And this was a really beautiful and enjoyable opportunity to showcase that talent."

Hudgens was questioned about the impact of her role as Gabriella in High School Musical on her music career. She expressed that every experience contributes to gaining wisdom and insight for future endeavors. She compared it to the concept of the 10,000-hour rule, emphasizing the importance of continuous effort leading to significant achievements.

Hudgens emerged victorious on season 11 of The Masked Singer after dedicating 10,000 hours to her craft as Goldfish. She opened up about the influence of her upbringing on her journey to success when she revealed her identity on the latest episode.

How Vanessa Hudgens Iconic High School Musical Past Helped Her Prepare for The Masked Singer

Vanessa Hudgens expressed her joy at exploring new roles in "High School Musical." She shared, "I have loved being able to swim into new territories as the golden girl on this stage." As a child, she struggled to express herself, but now she feels liberated to do so. Hudgens mentioned, "As a little girl I was never really great at expressing myself. It’s not really something I grew up around. But lately, I have been on a journey of self-discovery and being here I’ve been able to express myself so freely."

Hudgens shared, "I come from a working-class family with no Hollywood connections, so there's no reason I should have succeeded. But I am living proof that with love, hard work, and dedication, you can achieve anything."

The actress became famous after her role in the popular Disney series High School Musical, which aired from 2006 to 2008. The story revolves around Troy (played by Zac Efron) and Gabriella (played by Hudgens), two high school students from different social circles who bond over their shared passion for music. Their love story unfolds amidst the school's musical production, involving their friends in the process.

Hudgens has appeared in several films including Beastly, Sucker Punch, Spring Breakers, and Netflix’s The Princess Switch movies. She has also been featured in Fox’s live musical productions of Grease Live! and Rent: Live on television. In addition to her acting career, she has released two studio albums: V in 2006 and Identified in 2008.

How Vanessa Hudgens Iconic High School Musical Past Helped Her Prepare for The Masked Singer

Vanessa Hudgens, along with her co-stars Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Gabriel, Zac Efron, Monique Coleman, and Corbin Bleu, starred in the popular movie High School Musical.

In her personal life, Hudgens has found love with Cole Tucker after dating Efron and Austin Butler. The couple got married in December 2023, and Hudgens announced earlier this year that she is expecting her first baby with Tucker.

Cole has been by Vanessa's side the entire time during her pregnancy, according to a source who spoke exclusively to We in April. This has only deepened her love for him.

The insider mentioned that Vanessa has never been happier ever since she announced her pregnancy. They also believe that Cole will be a wonderful father.

Editor's P/S:

Vanessa Hudgens' journey as Goldfish on The Masked Singer is a testament to her years of dedication and hard work in performing arts. Her early involvement in musical theater and singing provided her with a solid foundation that she was able to draw upon during the intense competition. Her triumph highlights the importance of continuous effort and commitment in achieving excellence.

Hudgens' reflection on her past experiences reveals the significant impact of upbringing and environment on personal growth. Despite coming from a modest background with no Hollywood connections, she managed to overcome obstacles and succeed, demonstrating that perseverance and self-belief can triumph over adversity. Her journey inspires young people to pursue their dreams and embrace self-expression, no matter their circumstances.