In 2003, Hudgens played a minor role in the independent drama film Thirteen, where she played Noel, a friend of lead character Tracy, played by Evan Rachel Wood.

In late 2005, Vanessa landed her breakout role of Gabriella Montez in High School Musical, opposite Zac Efron. She reprised her role in the sequels, High School Musical 2 (2007), and in the theatrical release High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2009).

In September 2006, Vanessa released her debut album entitled V. Her first single “Come Back to Me” became her highest-charting single. Her second single was “Say OK”.

On September 6, 2007, photos of Hudgens appeared online, one showing her posing in lingerie and another showing her nude. In August 2009, a new set of pictures showing Hudgens topless emerged on the Internet.

Vanessa played Blondie, an institutionalized patient in an asylum, in the action movie Sucker Punch, directed by Zack Snyder, costarring Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, and Jamie Chung.

Vanessa first met Zac Efron in 2005, during the filming of High School Musical, and started dating shortly after. It was reported that they had ended their relationship in December 2010.

• Full name: Vanessa Anne Hudgens
• Birth date: December 14, 1988
• Birthplace: Salinas, California