Career Timeline of Vanessa Hudgens: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Vanessa Hudgens made an impact.
Vanessa Hudgens is an American actress and singer who gained widespread recognition for her role as Gabriella Montez in the *High School Musical* film series (2006-2008). Prior to that, she debuted in the film *Thirteen* (2003). She released two studio albums, *V* (2006) and *Identified* (2008), through Hollywood Records.
1998: Musical Theater Performances
Starting in 1998, Vanessa Hudgens performed in musical theater as a singer, appearing in local productions.
2002: Television Roles in Still Standing and Robbery Homicide Division
In 2002, Vanessa Hudgens had her first acting role in an episode of the sitcom Still Standing and appeared in an episode of Robbery Homicide Division.
2003: Feature Film Debut in Thirteen
In 2003, Vanessa Hudgens made her feature film debut in the movie Thirteen.
2004: Role in Thunderbirds
In 2004, Vanessa Hudgens landed a role in the science fiction-adventure film Thunderbirds.
January 2006: High School Musical Role
In January 2006, Vanessa Hudgens played Gabriella Montez in the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical.
September 26, 2006: V Album Release
On September 26, 2006, Vanessa Hudgens released her debut studio album, V.
2006: High School Musical
In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens rose to fame for portraying Gabriella Montez in High School Musical, gaining mainstream recognition.
2006: Estimated earnings
In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens' earnings were estimated to be $2 million.
May 25, 2007: "What Time Is It" Broadcast
On May 25, 2007, the opening number "What Time Is It" from High School Musical 2 was first broadcast on Radio Disney.
July 13, 2007: "You Are the Music in Me" Introduction
On July 13, 2007, the song "You Are the Music in Me" was introduced.
2007: Marc Eckō spokesperson
In 2007, Vanessa Hudgens became a spokesperson for Marc Eckō products.
2007: Inclusion in Forbes richest list
In early 2007, Vanessa Hudgens was included in Forbes richest list, and the Forbes article noted that she was included in Young Hollywood's Top Earning-Stars.
July 1, 2008: Identified Album Release
On July 1, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released her second studio album, Identified, in the United States.
October 2008: High School Musical 3: Senior Year Release
In October 2008, Vanessa Hudgens reprised her role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which was released theatrically.
December 12, 2008: Forbes "High Earners Under 30"
On December 12, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens was ranked No. 20 in the list of Forbes "High Earners Under 30", having reported to have an estimated earnings of $3 million in 2008.
2008: Journey to the Center of the Earth Release
In 2008, The movie Journey to the Center of the Earth was released.
2008: Identified Album Release and High School Musical Sequel
In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released her second album, Identified, and continued her role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical film series.
2008: Sears campaign
In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens was the featured celebrity for Sears' back-to-school campaign.
August 14, 2009: Bandslam Release
On August 14, 2009, Bandslam, a musical comedy featuring Vanessa Hudgens in a supporting role, was released theatrically.
August 2009: V Album Sales
By August 2009, Vanessa Hudgens' album V had sold 570,000 copies in the US.
2009: Appearance in Bandslam
In 2009, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in the film Bandslam.
2010: Rent Performance at Hollywood Bowl
In 2010, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the musical Rent as Mimi at the Hollywood Bowl.
March 4, 2011: Beastly Release
On March 4, 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Beastly, which was released to mostly negative reviews.
March 2011: Sucker Punch Release
In March 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Sucker Punch, which was released in theaters.
2011: Appearance in Beastly and Sucker Punch
In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in the films Beastly and Sucker Punch.
2011: Signed on to Creative Artists Agency
In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens signed on to Creative Artists Agency.
2012: Worldwide earnings of the movie Beastly
By 2012, the film Beastly made $28 million worldwide.
2012: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Spring Breakers
In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Spring Breakers.
2012: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.
March 2013: Spring Breakers Theatrical Release
In March 2013, Spring Breakers, starring Vanessa Hudgens, was released theatrically, receiving generally positive reviews.
2015: Broadway Debut in Gigi
In 2015, Vanessa Hudgens made her Broadway debut playing Gigi in the musical revival of Gigi.
2015: Freaks of Nature and Gigi
In 2015, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Freaks of Nature and took on the title role in a production of Gigi.
January 31, 2016: Grease Live! Performance
On January 31, 2016, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Rizzo in Grease Live!, dedicating her performance to her father.
2016: Grease Live!
In 2016, Vanessa Hudgens played Rizzo in Fox's live musical production, Grease Live!
2017: Powerless Role
In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in the NBC series Powerless.
2017: Powerless, Reminding Me, Billboard Music Awards, and So You Think You Can Dance
In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Powerless, was featured on Shawn Hook's single "Reminding Me", hosted the Billboard Music Awards, and served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.
September 2018: Lay With Me Release
In September 2018, Vanessa Hudgens collaborated with electronic dance music duo Phantoms on the single "Lay With Me".
November 2018: The Princess Switch Release
In November 2018, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the Netflix film The Princess Switch.
December 2018: Second Act Release
In December 2018, Vanessa Hudgens co-starred in the comedy film Second Act.
2018: Second Act and The Princess Switch
In 2018, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Second Act and The Princess Switch.
January 2019: Rent: Live Performance
In January 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Fox's live musical presentation, Rent: Live.
November 2019: The Knight Before Christmas Release
In November 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred in and served as a producer on the Netflix film The Knight Before Christmas.
2019: The Knight Before Christmas
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred in and co-produced The Knight Before Christmas.
2020: Bad Boys for Life and The Princess Switch Sequels
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in "Bad Boys for Life", which grossed over $426 million worldwide, and starred in and produced Netflix's "The Princess Switch: Switched Again".
November 2021: My Little Pony, Tick, Tick... Boom!, and The Princess Switch 3
In November 2021, Vanessa Hudgens voiced Sunny Starscout in "My Little Pony: A New Generation", appeared in Netflix's "Tick, Tick... Boom!", and starred in "The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star", reprising her roles and serving as a producer.
2021: Tick, Tick...Boom! and Princess Switch Sequel
In 2021, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Tick, Tick...Boom! and another sequel to The Princess Switch.
May 2022: Co-hosting the Met Gala red carpet livestream
In May 2022, Vanessa Hudgens co-hosted the Met Gala red carpet livestream for Vogue alongside La La Anthony and Hamish Bowles.
June 2022: Co-hosting the 30th MTV Movie & TV Awards
In June 2022, Vanessa Hudgens co-hosted the 30th MTV Movie & TV Awards with Tayshia Adams, hosting the first half of the ceremony.
March 2023: Global Tourism Ambassador
In March 2023, Vanessa Hudgens was named as a global tourism ambassador by the Philippine government.
2024: Winner of The Masked Singer
In 2024, Vanessa Hudgens, competing as "Goldfish", won season eleven of The Masked Singer.
