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December 31st, 2015 was the 10-year anniversary of the night Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez did karaoke together and ~*nothing was the same*~. Yes, this epic love story began on New Year's Eve, but the adventure really started a few weeks later, on January 20, 2006, when High School Musical premiered on the Disney Channel.Feel old now?
The movie became an instant classic that spawned a sequel, feature film, IRL teen-dream romance between leads Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens (still not over it) and many, many singalong songs that you STILL can't get out of your head (WE'RE SOARING, FLYING).
So, set the mood with some classic Troy Bolton moves and click through the slideshow to see what the Wildcats have been up to since leaving the halls of East High School. What team?!
[Photo: Shutterstock]
Zac Efron
Zac was just 19 years old when he put on the Wildcats uniform for the first time. He became an instant household name and also a teen heartthrob for millennial girls. HSM certified Zac's status as a triple-threat in Hollywood. Dude can act, sing AND dance very well. The movie also introduced him to his girlfriend of four years, Vanessa Hudgens (AWWWWW!).
Zac went on to star in a whole slew of films including, Harispray (2007), 17 Again (2009) The Lucky One (2012), That Awkward Moment (2014), Neighbors (2014) and We Are Your Friends (2015). Not only is he a bonafide leading man, but he also has some serious comedic chops. Is there anything this guy can't do?
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens had her feature film debut in Thirteen (2003). However, her real breakthrough role was Gabriella Montez. She became an overnight celebrity and went on to star in two more films in the HSM franchise.
Vanessa found love on set with Zac Efron! While the two officially met when filming the original movie in 2005, it wasn't until 2007 that their friendship blossomed into something more.
She also became super close with Ashley Tisdale... more on that in the next slide.
[Photo: Splash News]
Vanessa has taken on more gritty roles in her post-HSM days. There was 2011's action/fantasy Sucker Punch and who could forget her role in 2012's creepy Spring Breakers? She's definitely proved her multi-dimensional acting skills! She also became a style star with her signature boho-inspired look.
Now, for Vanessa's personal life. Her and Zac sadly broke up after four years of dating in December 2010. She revealed to The New York Times in 2015 the reason behind the split. She called it off with him because, well, jealousy. "I went through a phase when I was really mean because I was so fed up. Girls were running after him, and I was giving them death stares. Then I realized that's not what that's about," she said. Who could blame her? While we will always ship Zanessa, we're happy to report that Vanessa found love once again with actor Austin Butler. The two have been dating since 2011 and seem to be going strong. Yeah, girl!
Vanessa and Ashley Tisdale became best friends while filming the HSM series and she even was a bridesmaid at Tisdale's 2014 wedding. Talk about true friendship!
[Photo: Splash News]
Ashley Tisdale
Ashley was already a Disney Channel star before joining HSM. However, her portrayal of Sharpay Evans is truly iconic. She played the girly mean girl to perfection in all three films.
She also found lifelong friends in Vanessa and Zac. She still hangs out with both... just not together anymore (OK, clearly I will never be over their breakup...).
[Photo: Splash News]
Ashley's had a pretty solid career, actually. She had starring roles on Disney Channel shows The Suite Life of Zach and Cody (2005-2008) and Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015). She also guest starred on a bunch of shows, from sitcoms like Young & Hungry (which she also produces) and Super Fun Night to dramas like Sons of Anarchy and even cartoons like Family Guy and Robot Chicken.
Ashley started dating Christopher French, the lead singer of Annie Automatic, in 2012. They were engaged in 2013 and wed on September 8, 2014 in a small private ceremony where Vanessa was a bridesmaid! We love that these two have remained so close over the years.
[Photo: Splash News]
Corbin Bleu
Corbin played the role of Troy's trusty best friend, Chad Danforth. Although his star was already on the rise, HSM helped Corbin pursue a music career. More on that in the next slide.
[Photo: Splash News]
Corbin went on to star in another DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie!), Jump In!, and also guest starred in the premiere episode of Hannah Montana. Corbin landed a starring role in the short-lived, but hugely hyped CW series, The Beautiful Life and performed on Broadway in the revival of Godspell and In The Heights. He also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2013 and made it to the finals, but lost to Glee star Amber Riley.
Corbin released two albums since his days as a Wildcat and his first-ever single, "Push It To The Limit," reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Boy, he's been busy!
[Photo: Splash News]
Lucas Grabeel
Lucas played Ryan Evans, the fraternal twin brother of Sharpay, in the HSM series. Their duets were some of the best parts of the movies, including "Bop to the Top" and "Fabulous."
[Photo: Splash News]
After playing Ryan Evans in three films, Lucas guest starred on major TV shows like Boston Legal, Veronica Mars and Smallville. He played a young Lex Luthor in the Superman-inspired series. Now you can see him on the Freeform series Switched at Birth, which he has starred in since summer 2011.
[Photo: Splash News]
Monique Coleman
Monique rose to fame in HSM as Taylor McKessie, the best friend of new girl Gabriella Montez. She also was a super smart, ambitious chick who whipped boyfriend Chad Danforth into shape. Total badass babe!
[Photo: Splash News]
Monique is just as inspiring in her real life. In 2010, she launched an online talk show, Gimmie Mo', which is dedicated to empowering youth. She also was named the first-ever UN Youth Champion for the International Year of Youth. In this position, she is currently on a world tour to raise awareness of challenges facing youth. Seriously cannot wait to see what she does next!
She guest starred on many Disney Channel shows during and after her HSM days and competed on the third season of Dancing with the Stars.
Monique married Walter Jordan on Valentine's Day 2012 in a private ceremony in Thailand.
[Photo: Splash News]
Olesya Rulin
Olesya played the quiet musical savant Kelsi Nielsen. Her role in the series grew larger in the second two films as she had a solo in "You Are The Music In Me" from High School Musical 2 and a duet in "I Just Wanna Be With You" with Lucas Grabeel in High School Musical 3.
[Photo: Splash News]
OK, so, Olesya DOES NOT AGE. She literally looks exactly the same in this picture as she did in the first HSM movie. Also, side note, Olesya admitted in 2014 that she's never played piano!
Acting-wise, Olesya had guest-starring roles on NCIS, Drop Dead Diva, The Mentalist and a recurring role on Greek. She also starred in a few films, including Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous alongside Jessica Simpson and Family Weekend with Kristin Chenoweth.
[Photo: Instagram]
Chris Warren Jr.
Chris Warren Jr. played one of Troy and Chad's friends and basketball teammates, Zeke Baylor. He was an avid baker and creme brulee enthusiast, who also has a crush on Sharpay, which is ongoing throughout the entire film series.
[Photo: Splash News]
Chris had a few guest-starring roles on Good Luck Charlie and The Fosters over the years. He also voiced a character in 2009's Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel.
Chris won a lawsuit against his parents in 2013. The actor sued his parents after they allegedly spent his money earned from the HSM movies. Neither party has publicly commented on the suit.
[Photo: Splash News]
