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 prominence for her role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film series (2006-2008). This role brought her significant mainstream recognition. She also released two albums, V (2006) and Identified (2008), through Hollywood Records. Her early film work included her debut in Thirteen (2003).
1998: Musical theater debut
Starting in 1998, Vanessa Hudgens began performing in musical theater as a singer, appearing in local productions.
2002: First Acting Role in Still Standing
In 2002, Vanessa Hudgens had her first acting role in an episode of the sitcom Still Standing on CBS, where she portrayed Tiffany. She also appeared in an episode of Robbery Homicide Division on CBS that year.
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, portraying the character of Tin-tin.
January 2006: Role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical
In January 2006, Vanessa Hudgens played Gabriella Montez, one of the lead roles in the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical.
September 26, 2006: Release of debut album V
On September 26, 2006, Vanessa Hudgens released her debut studio album, V, which debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
2006: Portrayal of Gabriella Montez in High School Musical
In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens gained fame for portraying Gabriella Montez in the film High School Musical, which brought her mainstream recognition. In 2006, she also released her album, V.
2006: Hudgens' earnings estimated to be $2 million
In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens' earnings were estimated to be $2 million.
May 25, 2007: "What Time Is It" broadcast on Radio Disney
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" introduced
On July 13, 2007, the song "You Are the Music in Me" was introduced.
2007: Became a spokesperson for Marc Eckō products
In 2007, Vanessa Hudgens became a spokesperson for Marc Eckō products, ending the contract after two years.
July 1, 2008: Release of Identified
On July 1, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens' second studio album, Identified, was released in the United States.
October 2008: Release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year
In October 2008, Vanessa Hudgens reprised her role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which opened at number one at the North American box office.
2008: Release of album Identified and High School Musical 3
In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released her second album, Identified. Also in 2008, she continued her role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical 3.
2008: Featured celebrity for Sears' back-to-school campaign
In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens was the featured celebrity for Sears' back-to-school campaign.
August 14, 2009: Release of Bandslam
On August 14, 2009, Vanessa Hudgens played a supporting role in the musical comedy Bandslam, in which she played the character Sa5m.
August 2009: Sales of Album V
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: Starred in the musical Rent
In 2010, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Mimi in the musical Rent at the Hollywood Bowl from August 6–8.
March 4, 2011: Release of Beastly
On March 4, 2011, the film Beastly, starring Vanessa Hudgens, was released to mostly negative reviews.
March 2011: Release of Sucker Punch
In March 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the action film Sucker Punch, which was released and grossed $19 million in its first weekend at the North American box office.
2011: Starring in Beastly and Sucker Punch
In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the films Beastly and Sucker Punch.
2011: Signed on to Creative Artists Agency
Vanessa Hudgens signed with Creative Artists Agency in 2011, after previously being represented by William Morris Agency.
2012: Roles in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Spring Breakers
In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Spring Breakers.
2012: Starring in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the science fantasy action-adventure film Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, playing Josh Hutcherson's love interest.
March 2013: Release of Spring Breakers
In March 2013, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the film Spring Breakers, which was released theatrically and received generally positive reviews.
2014: Starred in Gimme Shelter
In 2014, Vanessa Hudgens starred as a pregnant teenage runaway girl in the drama film Gimme Shelter.
2015: Broadway Debut in Gigi
In 2015, Vanessa Hudgens made her Broadway debut playing Gigi in the musical revival of Gigi.
2015: Starred in Freaks of Nature and Gigi
In 2015, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the comedy horror film Freaks of Nature and also took on the title role in a production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's Gigi.
January 31, 2016: Starred in Grease Live!
On January 31, 2016, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the role of Rizzo in Grease Live!, Fox's live broadcast based on the original Broadway musical, dedicating her performance to her father who had died the day before.
2016: Role in Grease Live!
In 2016, Vanessa Hudgens played Rizzo in Fox's live musical production, Grease Live!
2017: Roles in Powerless, Reminding Me, Billboard Music Awards and So You Think You Can Dance
In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in the NBC comedy series Powerless, was featured on Shawn Hook's single "Reminding Me", hosted the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, and served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.
September 2018: Release of "Lay With Me"
In September 2018, Vanessa Hudgens collaborated with electronic dance music duo Phantoms on the single "Lay With Me".
November 2018: Starring in The Princess Switch
In November 2018, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the Netflix film The Princess Switch, in which she portrayed both a European duchess and a pastry chef from Chicago.
December 2018: Co-starring in Second Act
In December 2018, Vanessa Hudgens co-starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in the comedy film Second Act.
2018: Roles in Second Act and The Princess Switch
In 2018, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Second Act and The Princess Switch on Netflix.
January 2019: Starred in Rent: Live
In January 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Maureen Johnson in Fox's live musical presentation, Rent: Live.
November 2019: Starred in and produced The Knight Before Christmas
In November 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred in and served as a producer on the Netflix film The Knight Before Christmas.
2019: Role in Rent: Live
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens had a role as Maureen Johnson in Rent: Live.
2019: Starring in The Knight Before Christmas
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred in and co-produced The Knight Before Christmas.
2020: Career highlights in 2020
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in 'Bad Boys for Life'. In November 2020, she starred in and produced the Netflix film 'The Princess Switch: Switched Again'. Also in 2020, Hudgens hosted the MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time television special.
2020: Release of The Princess Switch sequels
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in sequels to The Princess Switch.
November 2021: Appeared in multiple Netflix films
In November 2021, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Netflix's biographical film 'Tick, Tick... Boom!' and the third installment of 'The Princess Switch' film series, titled 'The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star'. She reprised her roles in the latter and also served as a producer.
2021: Roles in Tick, Tick...Boom! and The Princess Switch sequels
In 2021, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Tick, Tick...Boom! and sequels to The Princess Switch.
May 2022: Co-hosted the Met Gala red carpet livestream
In May 2022, Vanessa Hudgens co-hosted the Met Gala red carpet livestream for Vogue with La La Anthony and Hamish Bowles.
June 2022: Co-hosted 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: Named global tourism ambassador
In March 2023, Vanessa Hudgens was named as a global tourism ambassador by the Philippine government.
2024: Won The Masked Singer
In 2024, Vanessa Hudgens competed in season eleven of 'The Masked Singer' as "Goldfish" and won the season.
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