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 significant recognition for her role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film series (2006-2008). This role propelled her to mainstream fame. Prior to High School Musical, she debuted in the film Thirteen (2003). Hudgens also released two studio albums, V (2006) and Identified (2008), through Hollywood Records, further establishing her presence in the music industry.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1998: Early Musical Theater Performances

Starting in 1998, Vanessa Hudgens began performing in musical theater as a singer, appearing in local productions, laying the foundation for her future career.

2002: Television Appearances in Still Standing and Robbery Homicide Division

In 2002, Vanessa Hudgens had her first acting role in an episode of the sitcom Still Standing on CBS, where she portrayed Tiffany, and later appeared in an episode of Robbery Homicide Division on CBS.

2003: Feature Film Debut in Thirteen

In 2003, Vanessa Hudgens made her feature film debut in 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, based on the 1960s television series, where she portrayed the character of Tin-tin.

January 2006: Lead Role 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, marking a significant breakthrough in her career.

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: Breakthrough Role in High School Musical

In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens rose to fame for her role as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical, gaining mainstream recognition.

2006: Estimated earnings of $2 million

In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens' earnings were estimated to be $2 million.

February 2007: V Album Certified Gold

In February 2007, Vanessa Hudgens' album V was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating significant sales success.

May 25, 2007: First Broadcast of "What Time Is It"

On May 25, 2007, the opening number "What Time Is It" from High School Musical 2 was first broadcast on Radio Disney, generating excitement for the upcoming movie.

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July 13, 2007: Introduction of "You Are the Music in Me"

On July 13, 2007, the song "You Are the Music in Me" from High School Musical 2 was introduced, building anticipation for the film's release.

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October 2007: Speculation about High School Musical 3

In October 2007, OK! magazine speculated that Vanessa Hudgens would be dropped from High School Musical 3 due to explicit images, but The Walt Disney Company denied this.

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2007: Spokesperson for Marc Eckō products

In 2007, Vanessa Hudgens became a spokesperson for Marc Eckō products.

2007: Included in Forbes richest list

In early 2007, Vanessa Hudgens was included in Forbes richest list and Young Hollywood's Top Earning-Stars.

July 1, 2008: Release of Identified Album

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, the first film from the franchise to be released theatrically and achieve significant box office success.

December 12, 2008: Ranked in Forbes "High Earners Under 30"

On December 12, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens was ranked No. 20 in the list of Forbes "High Earners Under 30", reporting estimated earnings of $3 million in 2008.

2008: Release of Identified

In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released her second album, Identified, continuing her music career alongside acting.

2008: Featured celebrity for Sears campaign

In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens was the featured celebrity for Sears' back-to school campaign and promoted Neutrogena products.

August 14, 2009: Release of Bandslam

On August 14, 2009, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in the musical comedy Bandslam, where she played the role of Sa5m.

August 2009: Sales of V Album

By August 2009, Vanessa Hudgens' album V had sold 570,000 copies in the US, reflecting its continued popularity and commercial success.

2009: Appearance in Bandslam

In 2009, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in the film Bandslam, expanding her acting roles beyond High School Musical.

2010: Starring in Rent at the Hollywood Bowl

In 2010, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the musical Rent as Mimi during August 6–8 at the Hollywood Bowl, marking her involvement in a live musical production.

March 4, 2011: Release of Beastly

On March 4, 2011, the film Beastly, starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer, was released, based on Alex Flinn's novel of the same name.

March 2011: Release of Sucker Punch

In March 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the action film Sucker Punch, directed by Zack Snyder, where she played the role of Blondie.

2011: Signed with Creative Artists Agency

In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens signed on to Creative Artists Agency after being represented by William Morris Agency.

2011: Starring in Beastly and Sucker Punch

In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the films Beastly and Sucker Punch, showcasing her versatility in different genres.

2012: Beastly Worldwide gross

As of 2012, Beastly had grossed $28 million worldwide.

2012: Starring in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

In 2012, Vanessa Hudgens starred alongside Dwayne Johnson and Josh Hutcherson in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, playing Hutcherson's love interest.

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, taking on diverse roles in adventure and drama.

March 2013: Theatrical Release of Spring Breakers

In March 2013, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the film Spring Breakers, which was released theatrically, receiving generally positive reviews for its mature themes and performances.

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.

2015: Broadway Debut in Gigi

In 2015, Vanessa Hudgens made her Broadway stage debut playing Gigi in the musical revival, marking a significant achievement 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 diverse range of roles in her career.

January 31, 2016: Starring in Grease Live!

On January 31, 2016, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Rizzo in Grease Live!, a performance she dedicated to her father, who had passed away from cancer the day before.

2016: Role in Grease Live!

In 2016, Vanessa Hudgens played Rizzo in Grease Live!, one of Fox's live musical productions.

2017: Roles in Powerless, Reminding Me, Billboard Music Awards, and So You Think You Can Dance

In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in Powerless, was featured on Shawn Hook's single "Reminding Me", hosted the Billboard Music Awards with Ludacris, and served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, showcasing her versatility in acting, music, hosting, and judging roles.

2017: Starring in Powerless

In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in the NBC series Powerless, marking her venture into television series based on DC Comics.

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", marking her continued involvement in the music industry.

November 2018: Release of The Princess Switch

In November 2018, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the Netflix film The Princess Switch, portraying dual roles as a European duchess and a pastry chef from Chicago.

December 2018: Release of 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 Second Act and The Princess Switch on Netflix, taking on roles in romantic comedy and Christmas genres.

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 The Knight Before Christmas

In November 2019, Vanessa Hudgens starred in and served as a producer on the Netflix film The Knight Before Christmas.

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2019: Role in Rent: Live

In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens played Maureen Johnson in Rent: Live, another of Fox's live musical productions.

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, MTV Movie & TV Awards

In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Bad Boys for Life. In November, she starred in and produced The Princess Switch: Switched Again. Later that year, Hudgens hosted the MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time television special.

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2020: Release of The Princess Switch Sequels

In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens starred in the sequels to The Princess Switch, continuing her roles in the popular Netflix Christmas movies.

November 2021: Tick, Tick... Boom! and The Princess Switch 3

In November 2021, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Netflix's biographical film Tick, Tick... Boom! and starred in The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star, also serving as a producer for the latter.

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