Vanessa Anne Hudgens (born December 14, 1988) is an American
actress and
singer. She made her debut in 2003 appearing in the
Hollywood films
Thirteen and
Thunderbirds, before reaching fame in 2006 after appearing as Gabriella Montez in the
Disney Channel film High School Musical hit series. Hudgens began a music career and released her debut album,
V, in 2006. Her second album,
Identified, was released July 1, 2008. She is a spokesperson for
Neutrogena,
Sears, and
Eckō.
Early life
Hudgens was born in
Salinas, California, the daughter of Gina (
née Guangco) and Greg Hudgens.
[Vanessa Hudgens to Visit the Philippines. (October 16, 2008) JustJared.com. Retrieved October 17, 2008.] She has a sister, Stella Teodora Hudgens (born November 13, 1995,
San Diego).
[California Births 1905-1995] Hudgens's father is an American of
Irish and
Native American descent, and her mother, who grew up in
Manila, is a
Filipino-born of Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese descent.
[ Hudgens has been home-schooled since after her seventh-grade year at the Orange County High School of the Arts.]
