History of Vanessa Hudgens in Timeline
Vanessa Hudgens is an American actress and singer who gained prominence for her role as Gabriella Montez in Disney's High School Musical series (2006-2008). This role launched her into mainstream recognition. Prior to this, she debuted in the film Thirteen (2003). Hudgens also pursued a music career, releasing two albums, V (2006) and Identified (2008), through Hollywood Records.
December 14, 1988: Vanessa Hudgens' Birth
On December 14, 1988, Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born. She is an American actress and singer.
1998: Musical Theater Debut
In 1998, Vanessa Hudgens began her performance career in musical theater as a singer, appearing in local productions.
2002: Television Acting Roles
In 2002, Vanessa Hudgens had her first acting role in an episode of the sitcom Still Standing on CBS and later appeared in an episode of Robbery Homicide Division.
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, based on the 1960s television series.
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 in the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical, one of the lead roles.
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: High School Musical Film Series
In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens rose to fame portraying Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film series, which brought her mainstream recognition.
2006: Earnings Estimated at $2 Million
In 2006, Vanessa Hudgens' earnings were estimated to be $2 million.
February 2007: Album V Certified Gold
In February 2007, Vanessa Hudgens' debut 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" from High School Musical 2 was introduced.
September 6, 2007: Leaked Photos Online
On September 6, 2007, photos allegedly stolen from Vanessa Hudgens were leaked online, including images of her posing in lingerie and nude. Hudgens apologized for the situation.
October 2007: Speculation About Being Dropped From High School Musical 3
In October 2007, OK! magazine speculated that Vanessa Hudgens would be dropped from High School Musical 3 because of the leaked images, but The Walt Disney Company denied this.
2007: Beastly Novel
In 2007, Alex Flinn's novel Beastly was released. It was adapted to film in 2011, starring Vanessa Hudgens.
2007: Spokesperson for Marc Eckō Products
In 2007, Vanessa Hudgens became a spokesperson for Marc Eckō products, ending the contract after two years.
2007: Sued by Brian Schall
In 2007, Vanessa Hudgens was sued by Brian Schall for an alleged "breach of contract" related to her songwriting and recording career.
2007: Included in Forbes Richest List
In early 2007, Vanessa Hudgens was included in Forbes richest list and was noted as one of Young Hollywood's Top Earning-Stars.
January 2008: Declined Further Comment on Leaked Photos
In January 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released a statement indicating that she declined to comment further on 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 her contract with Brian Schall, arguing that she was a minor when she signed it.
October 2008: Release of High School Musical 3
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.
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 Identified Album
In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens released her second album, Identified, through Hollywood Records, continuing her music career alongside her acting.
2008: Featured Celebrity for Sears' Back-to-School Campaign
In 2008, Vanessa Hudgens was the featured celebrity for Sears' back-to-school campaign and promoted Neutrogena products.
2008: Original Journey to the Center of the Earth Movie
In 2008, the original film Journey to the Center of the Earth was released. Its sequel, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, starred Vanessa Hudgens in 2012.
May 2009: Settled Lawsuit with Johnny Vieira
In early May 2009, Vanessa Hudgens settled a lawsuit with Johnny Vieira, who claimed he was owed a share of her earnings.
August 14, 2009: Theatrical Release of Bandslam
On August 14, 2009, Bandslam, a musical comedy featuring Vanessa Hudgens in a supporting role, was released theatrically.
August 2009: Album Sales of V
By August 2009, Vanessa Hudgens' album V had sold 570,000 copies in the US.
August 2009: Another Set of Topless Images Emerged Online
In August 2009, another set of images showing Vanessa Hudgens topless emerged on the Internet. Hudgens' representatives did not comment, though her lawyers requested the removal of the pictures.
2009: Appearance in Bandslam
In 2009, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in the film Bandslam, expanding her acting roles.
2009: Ranked in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women
Vanessa Hudgens was number 42 in the 2009 list of FHM's 100 Sexiest Women.
2010: Starring in Rent at the Hollywood Bowl
In 2010, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Mimi in the musical Rent during August 6–8, at the Hollywood Bowl.
2010: Broke Up with Zac Efron
Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron's highly publicized relationship ended in 2010.
March 4, 2011: Release of Beastly
On March 4, 2011, the film Beastly, starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer, was released.
March 15, 2011: Additional Nude Images Released Online
According to Us Weekly, on March 15, 2011, additional nude images of Vanessa Hudgens were released on the Internet.
March 2011: Release of Sucker Punch
In March 2011, Vanessa Hudgens starred as one of the female leads in the action film Sucker Punch, directed by Zack Snyder.
2011: Roles in Beastly and Sucker Punch
In 2011, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in two films, Beastly and Sucker Punch, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
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 with Creative Artists Agency, having previously been represented by William Morris Agency.
2012: Beastly Film Gross
As of 2012, the film Beastly, starring Vanessa Hudgens and based on the novel by Alex Flinn, 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 the film Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.
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, marking significant roles in her acting career.
March 2013: Theatrical 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: Starring 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 stage debut playing Gigi in the musical revival of Gigi.
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 Gigi.
January 31, 2016: Starring in Grease Live!
On January 31, 2016, Vanessa Hudgens starred as Rizzo in Grease Live!, Fox's live broadcast based on the original Broadway musical, dedicating her performance to her father.
February 2016: Father's Death
In February 2016, Vanessa Hudgens' father, Gregory Hudgens, passed away from cancer.
May 2016: Paid Restitution for Damaging U.S. Forest Service Property
In May 2016, Vanessa Hudgens paid $1,000 in restitution for 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 Fox's live musical production Grease Live!
2017: Starring in Powerless, Hosting Billboard Music Awards, and Judging So You Think You Can Dance
In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in Powerless, hosted the Billboard Music Awards with Ludacris, and served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.
2017: Role in Powerless
In 2017, Vanessa Hudgens played Emily Locke in the NBC series Powerless.
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, portraying dual roles.
December 2018: Starring in Second Act
In December 2018, Vanessa Hudgens co-starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in the comedy film Second Act.
2018: Starring in Second Act and The Princess Switch
In 2018, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Second Act and The Princess Switch on Netflix, where she played dual roles.
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: Ended Relationship with Austin Butler
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens ended her relationship with actor Austin Butler.
2019: Role in Rent: Live
In 2019, Vanessa Hudgens had a role as 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 film to her repertoire.
March 2020: Controversy Over COVID-19 Comments
In March 2020, Vanessa Hudgens caused controversy after stating in an Instagram video that deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic were "inevitable," leading to accusations of minimizing the disease's impact. She later apologized.
2020: Appearances in Bad Boys for Life and The Princess Switch: Switched Again
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Bad Boys for Life and starred in and produced The Princess Switch: Switched Again. She also hosted the MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time special that year.
2020: Began Dating Cole Tucker
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens began dating Major League Baseball shortstop Cole Tucker.
2020: Sequel to The Princess Switch
In 2020, Vanessa Hudgens starred in a sequel to the Netflix Christmas movie, The Princess Switch.
October 2021: Living in the "Little DeMille" House
In October 2021, Architectural Digest revealed that Vanessa Hudgens was living in the "Little DeMille" house, which was built by director Cecil B. DeMille for his mistress.
November 2021: Appeared in Tick, Tick... Boom! and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star
In November 2021, Vanessa Hudgens appeared in Netflix's biographical film Tick, Tick... Boom!, adapted from the musical. She also appeared in The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star, reprising her three roles and serving as a producer.
2021: Tick, Tick...Boom! and Another Princess Switch Sequel
In 2021, Vanessa Hudgens starred in Tick, Tick...Boom! and another sequel to The Princess Switch.
May 2022: Co-hosted the Met Gala red carpet livestream for Vogue
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 by the Philippine Government
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 Major League Baseball shortstop 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 as "Goldfish"
In 2024, Vanessa Hudgens competed in season eleven of The Masked Singer as "Goldfish" and won the season.
July 12, 2025: Announced Expecting Second Child
On July 12, 2025, Vanessa Hudgens and Cole Tucker announced that they were expecting their second child.
Mentioned in this timeline
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