History of Vanessa Hudgens in Timeline
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).
December 14, 1988: Vanessa Hudgens' birth
On December 14, 1988, Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born. She later became an American actress and singer.
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.
October 2005: Signed contract with Brian Schall
In October 2005, Vanessa Hudgens, then a 16-year-old minor, signed a contract with Brian Schall for her songwriting and recording career.
2005: Started Dating Zac Efron
In 2005, Vanessa Hudgens began dating Zac Efron, her co-star from High School Musical.
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.
February 2007: Album V certified Gold
In February 2007, Vanessa Hudgens' album V was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
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.
September 6, 2007: Photos leaked online
On September 6, 2007, photos allegedly stolen from Vanessa Hudgens were leaked online, including one showing her posing in lingerie and another showing her nude. She later apologized for the incident.
October 2007: Speculation about removal from High School Musical 3
In October 2007, OK! magazine speculated that Vanessa Hudgens would be dropped from High School Musical 3 due to leaked explicit images, but The Walt Disney Company denied this.
2007: Brian Schall sued Vanessa Hudgens
In 2007, Brian Schall sued Vanessa Hudgens for an alleged "breach of contract," claiming she owed him $150,000 after he helped her earn over $5 million for her music career.
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.
2007: Included in Forbes Richest List
In early 2007, Vanessa Hudgens was included in Forbes' richest list and was featured in Young Hollywood's Top Earning-Stars.
January 2008: Declined to comment further on photo leak
In January 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released a statement indicating that she declined to comment further on the subject of the leaked photos.
July 1, 2008: Release of Identified
On July 1, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens' second studio album, Identified, was released in the United States.
October 9, 2008: Disaffirmed contract with Brian Schall
On October 9, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens disaffirmed the contract she had signed with Brian Schall in 2005, arguing she was a minor at the time.
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.
December 12, 2008: Ranked No. 20 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", with estimated earnings of $3 million in 2008.
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.
May 2009: Settled lawsuit with Johnny Vieira
In early May 2009, the lawsuit filed against Vanessa Hudgens by Johnny Vieira, who claimed he was owed a share of her earnings for his management services, was settled.
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.
August 2009: Another set of images emerged on the Internet
In August 2009, another set of images showing Vanessa Hudgens topless emerged on the Internet.
2009: Appearance in Bandslam
In 2009, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in the film Bandslam.
2009: Ranked No. 42 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women
In 2009, Vanessa Hudgens was ranked number 42 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list.
2010: Broke up with Zac Efron
In 2010, Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron ended their highly publicized relationship.
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 15, 2011: Additional nude images released online
According to Us Weekly, additional nude images of Vanessa Hudgens were released on the Internet on March 15, 2011.
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: Started dating Austin Butler
In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens began dating actor Austin Butler.
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.
2013: Graphic Novel Polar: Came From the Cold
In 2013, Victor Santos published the graphic novel 'Polar: Came From the Cold', which was later adapted into a film starring Vanessa Hudgens.
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.
February 2016: Death of her father
In February 2016, Vanessa Hudgens' father, Gregory Hudgens, died of cancer.
May 2016: Paid restitution for damaging U.S. Forest Service property
In May 2016, Vanessa Hudgens paid $1,000 in restitution for damaging U.S. Forest Service property by carving initials within a heart on a rock in the Coconino National Forest and displaying it on her personal Instagram feed.
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: Ended relationship with Austin Butler
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler ended their relationship.
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.
March 2020: COVID-19 pandemic controversy
In March 2020, Vanessa Hudgens posted an Instagram video where she stated that it is "inevitable" that people will die from the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused controversy. She later apologized for her "insensitive" remarks.
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.
2020: Started dating Cole Tucker
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens began dating Major League Baseball shortstop Cole Tucker.
October 2021: Living in the "Little DeMille" house
In October 2021, Architectural Digest revealed that Vanessa Hudgens was living in the "Little DeMille" house, built by Cecil B. DeMille for his mistress.
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.
December 2, 2023: Married Cole Tucker
On December 2, 2023, Vanessa Hudgens married Cole Tucker in Tulum, Mexico.
July 2024: Gave birth to her child
In late June or early July 2024, Vanessa Hudgens gave birth to her child with Cole Tucker.
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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