Entertainment
Photos of 'High School Musical' Stars Then & Now Will Make You Feel Ancient
There was a time when you couldn't go anywhere without seeing High School Musical memorabilia. The little television musical took the world by storm in 2006 and shot its stars — among them Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale — to fame. The film, which spawned two sequels with equally-as-catchy soundtracks, was a cultural phenomenon, and as much as you tried to fight it, you knew you had "We're All In This Together" stuck in your head for months. Recently some of the cast of High School Musical got together and hung out, and, thankfully, documented their HSM reunion on Instagram. So what has the cast been up to since their days on the set of the iconic Disney flicks? Here's what everyone's been doing since the films wrapped up.
Then: Chris Warren Jr.
Warren played Zeke, the basketball player in love with prima donna Sharpay Evans… and baking.
Now: Chris Warren Jr.
Warren voiced Xander in 2011’s Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakqual and has had recurring roles on The Hard Times Of RJ Berger and Good Luck Charlie.
Then: Monique Coleman
She portrayed super-brainy Taylor in the three films.
Now: Monique Coleman
Coleman has guest starred on Bones and provided voice work for The Cleveland Show. She will also play Roz in a film titled Free The Nipple, a fictionalized narrative based on the real accounts of women who stand up in opposition of female oppression and censorship. Taylor would be proud.
Then: Oleysa Rulin
The actress portrayed Kelsi, the prodigy who writes the titular “high school musical.”
Now: Oleysa Rulin
Rulin has had a steady career since High School Musical 3. She had a recurring role on ABC Family’s Greek, as well as guest appearances on shows like NCIS, Touch, and Drop Dead Diva. She’ll join Victoria Justice in the MTV drama Eye Candy, which already has a series order.
Then: KayCee Stroh
Stroh starred as Martha, the high schooler who preferred dancing to homework.
Now: KayCee Stroh
The actress, who was a contestant on Celebrity Fit Club in 2010, guest starred on The League and had a recurring role on Shapetown, USA. She welcomed a baby girl in 2013.
Then: Corbin Bleu
The actor portrayed Chad, basketball star and best friend of Troy.
Now: Corbin Bleu
Bleu has been busy since the final High School Musical film wrapped up, with roles on the short-lived CW series The Beautiful Life and soap opera One Life To Live. Like his onscreen love interest Coleman, he has also guest starred on Drop Dead Diva.
Then: Ashley Tisdale
The former Suite Life of Zack and Cody actress was portrayed the scheming Theater Queen Sharpay Evans in the trilogy.
Now: Ashley Tisdale
In addition to staying best friends with onscreen rival Vanessa Hudgens (Hudgens was Tisdale’s bridesmaid in her recent nuptials!) Tisdale executive produces ABC Family’s Young & Hungry, voices Candice on Disney Channel’s Phineas & Ferb, and stars on a new series titled Buzzy’s.
Then: Lucas Grabeel
Grabeel played Ryan, Sharpay’s doormat twin brother.
Now: Lucas Grabeel
In addition to voice work on shows like Dreamworks’ Dragons and Family Guy, Grabeel currently has a starring role on ABC Family’s Switched at Birth.
Then: Vanessa Hudgens
The actress portrayed new student Gabriella who discovers her passion for musical theater.
Now: Vanessa Hudgens
Hudgens has taken on more adult roles in films like Machete Kills, Gimme Shelter and Spring Breakers.
Then: Zac Efron
The former Summerland actor portrayed popular basketball star Troy.
Now: Zac Efron
Perhaps the biggest commercial success to come out of High School Musical, Efron has starred in films like 17 Again, That Awkward Moment, and Neighbors. His next project is the adaption of John Grisham’s The Associate.
