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 Disney's High School Musical film series (2006-2008). Her performance in the movie brought her mainstream recognition. In addition to her acting career, she released two studio albums, V (2006) and Identified (2008), through Hollywood Records. She debuted in the movie Thirteen (2003).
1998: Start in Musical Theater
In 1998, Vanessa Hudgens began her performance career in musical theater, participating in local productions such as Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, and Cinderella, marking her early involvement in the performing arts.
2002: First Acting Roles on TV
In 2002, Vanessa Hudgens had her first acting roles in episodes of the CBS sitcom Still Standing and the series Robbery Homicide Division, marking her initial appearances on television.
2003: Feature Film Debut in Thirteen
In 2003, Vanessa Hudgens made her feature film debut in the movie Thirteen, marking an early step in her acting career.
2004: Role in Thunderbirds
In 2004, Vanessa Hudgens landed a role in the science fiction-adventure film Thunderbirds, where she played the character of Tin-tin, adding a different genre to her early filmography.
January 2006: Role in High School Musical
In January 2006, Vanessa Hudgens played Gabriella Montez in High School Musical, a lead role that significantly boosted her career.
September 26, 2006: Release of Debut Album V
On September 26, 2006, Vanessa Hudgens released her debut studio album, V, marking her venture into the music industry.
2006: Breakthrough Role in High School Musical
In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens gained mainstream recognition for portraying Gabriella Montez in the film High School Musical. This role significantly boosted her career.
February 2007: Album V Certified Gold
In February 2007, Vanessa Hudgens' album V was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, recognizing its commercial success.
May 25, 2007: "What Time Is It" Broadcast on Radio Disney
On May 25, 2007, the song "What Time Is It" from High School Musical 2 was first broadcast on Radio Disney, building anticipation for the movie's release.
July 13, 2007: "You Are the Music in Me" Introduced
On July 13, 2007, the song "You Are the Music in Me" from High School Musical 2 was introduced, adding another song to promote the movie.
2007: Spokesperson for Marc Eckō
In 2007, Vanessa Hudgens became a spokesperson for Marc Eckō products.
July 1, 2008: Release of Second Studio Album Identified
On July 1, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released her second studio album, Identified, in the United States, marking another step in her music career.
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
In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released her second album, Identified, through Hollywood Records, adding to her work as a singer.
2008: Featured Celebrity for Sears' 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, Bandslam, a musical comedy featuring Vanessa Hudgens, was released theatrically, showcasing her acting skills in a different genre after High School Musical.
August 2009: Sales of Album V
By August 2009, Vanessa Hudgens' album V had sold 570,000 copies in the US, showing its continued popularity and success.
2009: Appearance in Bandslam
In 2009, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in the film Bandslam, expanding her filmography with a role in a musical comedy.
2010: Starring in Rent at the Hollywood Bowl
In 2010, from August 6-8, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Mimi in the musical Rent at the Hollywood Bowl, marking her involvement in a live theater production and showcasing her versatility as a performer.
March 4, 2011: Release of Beastly
On March 4, 2011, the film Beastly, starring Vanessa Hudgens, was released, where she played Linda Taylor.
March 2011: Release of Sucker Punch
In March 2011, the film Sucker Punch, starring Vanessa Hudgens as Blondie, was released, marking her role in an action film.
2011: Starring Roles in Beastly and Sucker Punch
In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the films Beastly and Sucker Punch, taking on diverse roles in both a romantic drama and an action film.
2012: Starring in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island alongside Dwayne Johnson and Josh Hutcherson, marking her role in a science fantasy action-adventure film.
2012: Starring in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Spring Breakers
In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and Spring Breakers, adding both a family-friendly adventure film and a more mature role to her repertoire.
March 2013: Release of Spring Breakers
In March 2013, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Spring Breakers, a film that followed four college-aged girls who rob a fast food restaurant to pay for their spring break.
2014: Starring in Gimme Shelter
In 2014, Vanessa Hudgens starred as a pregnant teenage runaway girl in the drama film Gimme Shelter with Brendan Fraser, written and directed by Ron Krauss.
2015: Broadway Debut in Gigi
In 2015, Vanessa Hudgens made her Broadway debut, playing Gigi in the musical revival, marking a significant milestone in her career.
2015: Starring in Freaks of Nature and Gigi
In 2015, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the comedy horror film Freaks of Nature and took on the title role in a production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's Gigi, marking a year of diverse roles in film and theater.
January 31, 2016: Starring 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, which she dedicated to her father who had passed away the day before.
2016: Role in Grease Live!
In 2016, Vanessa Hudgens played Rizzo in Grease Live!, Fox's live musical production, adding another notable role to her performances.
2017: Acting in Powerless, Hosting Billboard Music Awards
In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in NBC's Powerless, co-hosted the Billboard Music Awards, and served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, marking a diverse range of roles in television and hosting.
2017: Role in Powerless
In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in the NBC series Powerless, expanding her career into television series based on DC Comics characters.
September 2018: Collaboration with Phantoms
In September 2018, Vanessa Hudgens collaborated with electronic dance music duo Phantoms on the single "Lay With Me", showcasing her versatility in music genres.
November 2018: Starring in The Princess Switch
In November 2018, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the Netflix film The Princess Switch, where she portrayed both a European duchess and a pastry chef from Chicago, who temporarily switch roles.
December 2018: Co-starring in Second Act
In December 2018, Vanessa Hudgens co-starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in the comedy film Second Act, directed by Peter Segal.
2018: Starring in Second Act and The Princess Switch
In 2018, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the film Second Act and The Princess Switch, showcasing her versatility by taking on roles in both a comedy and a Netflix film where she played dual characters.
January 2019: Hudgens stars in Rent: Live
In January 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Maureen Johnson 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: Role in Rent: Live
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens played Maureen Johnson in Rent: Live, a Fox live musical production, adding to her experience in live musical performances.
2019: Starring in The Knight Before Christmas
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred in The Knight Before Christmas, adding another Christmas movie to her filmography.
2020: Bad Boys for Life and The Princess Switch: Switched Again
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Bad Boys for Life, which grossed over $426 million worldwide. In November 2020, she starred in and produced The Princess Switch: Switched Again. By the end of 2020, Hudgens hosted the MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time television special.
2020: The Princess Switch sequel, and Bad Boys for Life
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the sequel to The Princess Switch and in the film Bad Boys for Life.
November 2021: Tick, Tick... Boom! and The Princess Switch 3
In November 2021, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Netflix's Tick, Tick... Boom!, and reprised her three roles and produced The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star.
2021: Tick, Tick...Boom! and The 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 with 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.
March 2023: Named Global Tourism Ambassador
In March 2023, Vanessa Hudgens was named as a global tourism ambassador by the Philippine government.
2024: Winning 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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