History of Vanessa Hudgens in Timeline
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.
December 14, 1988: Vanessa Hudgens' birth
Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born on December 14, 1988, marking the beginning of her life and career.
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.
October 2005: Signed contract with Brian Schall
In October 2005, Vanessa Hudgens, then 16, signed a contract with Brian Schall, which she later disaffirmed.
2005: Started dating Zac Efron
In 2005, Vanessa Hudgens began dating her High School Musical co-star Zac Efron.
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.
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.
September 6, 2007: Photos leaked online
On September 6, 2007, photos allegedly stolen from Vanessa Hudgens were leaked online, including one of her posing in lingerie and another showing her nude.
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.
2007: Alex Flinn's Beastly novel
In 2007, Alex Flinn's novel Beastly was published.
2007: Sued by Brian Schall
In 2007, Brian Schall sued Vanessa Hudgens for an alleged "breach of contract" related to her songwriting and recording career.
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.
January 2008: Declined to comment further
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 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 9, 2008: Contract Disaffirmed
On October 9, 2008, Vanessa Hudgens disaffirmed her contract with Brian Schall, arguing that she was a minor when she signed it.
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.
2008: Release of Journey to the Center of the Earth
In 2008, the film Journey to the Center of the Earth was released.
May 2009: Lawsuit settled
In early May 2009, the lawsuit against Vanessa Hudgens by Johnny Vieira was settled.
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.
August 2009: Topless images emerged online
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, expanding her acting roles beyond High School Musical.
2009: Featured in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list
In 2009, Vanessa Hudgens was number 42 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list.
2010: Broke up with Zac Efron
In 2010, Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron broke up.
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 15, 2011: Additional nude images released
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, directed by Zack Snyder, where she played the role of Blondie.
2011: Started dating Austin Butler
In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens began dating actor Austin Butler.
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.
2013: Polar graphic novel release
In 2013, Víctor Santos's graphic novel Polar: Came From the Cold was released, which was later adapted into a film starring Vanessa Hudgens.
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.
February 2016: Death of Father
In February 2016, Vanessa Hudgens' father, Gregory Hudgens, passed away from cancer, marking a personal loss.
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 on a rock in the Coconino National Forest and posting it on Instagram.
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.
2019: Broke up with Austin Butler
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler broke up.
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.
March 2020: COVID-19 pandemic controversy
In March 2020, Vanessa Hudgens posted an Instagram video stating that deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic were "inevitable," which led to controversy and an apology for her remarks.
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.
2020: Started dating Cole Tucker
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens began dating Major League Baseball shortstop Cole Tucker.
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.
October 2021: Living in the "Little DeMille" house
In October 2021, Architectural Digest revealed that Vanessa Hudgens was living in the "Little DeMille" house, originally built by Cecil B. DeMille for his mistress.
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.
2021: Continued roles in Tick, Tick...Boom! and The Princess Switch sequels
In 2021, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Tick, Tick...Boom! and The Princess Switch sequels, expanding her presence in both film and streaming platforms.
May 2022: Co-hosted 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 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 first child
In late June or early July 2024, Vanessa Hudgens gave birth to her first child with Cole Tucker.
2024: Won The Masked Singer
In 2024, Vanessa Hudgens, as "Goldfish", won season eleven of The Masked Singer.
July 12, 2025: Announced expecting second child
On July 12, 2025, Vanessa Hudgens and Cole Tucker announced that they were expecting their second child.
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