Girlfriend magazine cover with Zanessa

The original title for High School Musical 3: Senior Year was Gradu-Dancin', which is kinda funny but totally gives away the premise of the whole movie. Yep, the HSM crew are putting an end to their adorable yet strangely musical high school years. Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale were just a couple of nobodies when they walked onto the set of the original flick back in 2005 - who knew they'd become worldwide superstars?! We caught up with the girls on the set of HSM3 to talk about the new movie and reminisce on all the good times (sigh)...

Vanessa Hudgens

Hi Vanessa! Tell us about HSM3!

Vanessa: It's fantastic and I hope our fans really love it. It's on the big screen for the first time, and it's senior year so we're all deciding where we want to go in life and who we want to be.

HSM was such a huge success from the outset. When did you first realise you were famous?

The moment I realised it was actually something big is when we were asked to perform "We're All In This Together" on Good Morning America. We were in New York in the middle of Times Square and it was my first time to New York. At that moment I thought, "We're doing something good".

What was high school life like for you?

Unfortunately, I never went to high school. I was homeschooled so I never got that opportunity. I'm thinking about going to college though as soon as everything slows down a little!

What's harder for you - the dancing or the singing?

The hardest part is partner dancing coz if you don't get it right you can't just fix it by yourself, you both have to make it work. If you don't, the smallest thing can throw your partner off. 

But you and Zac must have it down pat by now!

Yeah, we do (smiles), but in the beginning it was really challenging. It's easier now, but dancing is still harder than the singing parts.

What's your favourite HSM song?

It's hard to say - we've done a lot of songs! In the first one I liked "Breaking Free" and in the second one I loved "I Gotta Go My Own Way". 

And in the third?

It's Zac and I singing "I Just Wanna Be With You". I love it coz it's really catchy and simple.

Okay, spill the beans - what's going to happen with Troy and Gabriella?

I can't tell you that! (Laughs.)

Just a sneak peek?

I think they really love each other and they'll have to go through some hard things like college and so on, but I know that the love they share is strong. Let's just say that.

Being Vanessa Hudgens must have its privileges, but what's the most ridiculous rumour you've ever heard about yourself?

Wow, to be honest I try to avoid all that stuff so I don't know what's out there. I'm sure there are some good ones though!

When it comes to guys, what advice would you give to a girl who really liked someone but didn't know how to go about it?

I know it's a cliché, but I really think you should just be yourself. I'm really silly. Did you see when I was in between breaks earlier, dancing around and just making a fool of myself?

Sure did.

Well, that's just me and I'm not afraid of showing that side. If guys like that, great, and if they don't then they're not my type.

What motto do you live your life by?

Live life. It's too short, so you better enjoy it!

Zanessa interview!

Vanessa Hudgens in people magazine

East High's Sweetheart Dishes on Living on Her Own (Scary!), Waltzing with Zac and Her Dream Movie Role

AGE: 19 
BIRTHDAY: DEC. 14 
PLAYS: SUPER SCHOLAR GABRIELLA MONTEZ 

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MISS ABOUT PLAYING GABRIELLA? 

She's so sweet and so happy. At times things get stressful, and it's hard to stay cheerful all the time. But my character is so happy, it just cheers me up. It's an amazing thing. 

WHAT'S THE BEST THING THAT'S COME OUT OF THIS EXPERIENCE? 

Truthfully, there are so many things. We made a major accomplishment: We brought musicals back. I'm proud that kids growing up have that again. 

AND THE WORST? 

We kind of lose our privacy. But you know, we're—oh my gosh, I almost said, "we're all in this together!" But that's what makes us close. We've grown together, we've had these experiences, and we're still going through it together. 

ZAC SAID YOU PICKED UP THE WALTZ MORE QUICKLY THAN HE DID IN THE PROM SCENE. TRUE? 

That's very sweet. Girls are naturally more graceful, and guys are—how do I put it?—clumsy? But he did so well. 

IS ZAC A KLUTZ? 

I'm the clumsy one out of everyone. I actually tripped and fell down the stairs just before the prom number! 

WHAT HSM MOMENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO RELIVE? 

Gosh, you know, the first High School Musical when we were doing rehearsals was so fun. We were getting to know each other. We'd go out to dinner every night; we'd hang out by the pool. We were kids, and we were just silly and funny and fun. 

HOW HAVE YOU GROWN UP OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS? 

I'm much more responsible. I used to be the one who would leave my stuff everywhere. I know where my things are now! Most of the time, anyway. I've come out of my shell. When the first movie started, I was shy. I learned how to drive. I bought my first house. 

CONGRATULATIONS! 

I just got my keys yesterday. It's such a big deal! I'm packing up my things from my parents' house. It's the first time I'll be out on my own—I'm scared! I'm used to waking up and having my mom make me breakfast. But it's part of growing up. It's exciting. It's going to be fun. 

HOW DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF AFTER A LONG DAY OF DANCING? 

I'll eat something yummy. French toast, candy. I try not to let myself eat too many bad things. I used to eat ice cream before bed. I realized maybe I should give vegetables a shot. 

YOU'VE BEEN ON A CONCERT TOUR LATELY. IS IT LONELY TRAVELING WITHOUT THE GANG? 

Not really. I have six backup dancers with me on tour and three of the girls are on my bus. It's so fun hanging out with the girls, feeding off each other's energy onstage as performers, and then going back to the bus, just being girls, hanging out, eating and watching movies. 

WHAT KIND OF ROLES DO YOU WANT TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE? 

I'd like to do an action flick where I play a butt-kicking chick. It's fun to be a fighter. For women, it's empowering. 

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FUTURE HSM STARS? 

Just be smart and don't do things you'll regret. But I'd say that to everybody. 

WILL YOU MISS WORKING SO CLOSELY WITH ZAC? 

No one says it's the last time. Who knows what the future will bring. 

Zac Efron interview in People!

AGE: 21 
BIRTHDAY: OCT. 18 
PLAYS: MR. POPULAR TROY BOLTON 

HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP YOUR HSM EXPERIENCE FROM START TO FINISH? 

It's very much like the way you feel with your best friends at the end of high school—we've had so many firsts together. We were all at very similar places in our lives when we started and we all just held hands and pushed each other and we grew with each other. And also, for me, High School Musical 3 feels like my last chance to just let the joy of being young shine through. 

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS? 

Honestly, I don't know. Even five years ago I'd never have predicted I'd be here. I have no idea where I'm headed. I'm having fun choosing projects and roles and collaborating. I would love to still be an actor in 10 years. 

IS COLLEGE STILL IN YOUR PLANS? 

Definitely. I was accepted to USC to study film. However, the opportunity to collaborate with working directors is also a great spot to be in. I'm learning a lot, and I'm not behind any desk. 

WHOSE ACTING CAREER DO YOU ADMIRE MOST? 

Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio. These guys continually evolve. It's amazing, after all these years they're learning new skill sets. You know, learning to ride motorcycles and learning karate. 

OF ALL YOUR COSTARS, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO GET TO THE SET EARLY? 

Olesya Rulin or KayCee Stroh. 

BE LATE? 

Chris Warren. 

MESS UP A DANCE NUMBER? 

Yours truly. I'm the last one to get everything. 

BE AT THE SNACK TABLE? 

The dancers who don't stop dancing all day. And probably me and Corbin. 

WORK OUT THE MOST? 

Ashley. 

BUT YOU'RE A WORKOUT FANATIC, AREN'T YOU? 

Yeah, when you're living in L.A. and you're an actor, it's easy to just sit around all day, and I have to stay active. I have since I was a little kid. I have all kinds of different hobbies that I do, and one of them, my fail-safe, is to go to the gym for an hour. But it's unfortunate that so many people are waiting outside every time I leave the gym. 

YEAH, NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO THESE DAYS, THE PAPARAZZI SEEM TO FIND YOU, RIGHT? 

Yeah, it's strange. Every day is a crazy adventure. We do some pretty kooky things to avoid them. It's like The Bourne Identity. I'm starting to learn the ways of the ninja.

JUST TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE? 

Yeah! Ashley's been dealing with the same stuff. Whenever we go to dinner we have to drive an extra half hour to lose them. 

YOU AND VANESSA ARE CLOSE, BUT DO YOU SEE YOURSELF HAVING HSMREUNIONS WITH THE OTHER COSTARS, TOO? 

Absolutely. We're all a different piece to the puzzle. After doing three movies and seeing the world together and sharing these life experiences, we're going to need each other's support as we move out and do different things. 

Vanessa Hudgens interview!

Okay....so this interview is not so new because they made it in Australia with Vanessa but I think it's really funny one so check it out and say what you think! 

(thanks to dollywood) 

DOLLY catches up with Vanessa Hudgens

Not long until High School Musical 3: Senior Year opens in Australia! We caught up with Disney darling Vanessa Hudgens while she visited Sydney to promote the latest instalment in the High School Musical series.

On her favourite number out of all of the films…
It’s hard. I think the most memorable probably would be “We’re all in this together”, it was extremely exciting. We were doing a big number on the very last day and there was like this static electricity in the air and we all just kind of felt it and it was magic and it was just really exciting.

On her favourite karaoke song….
I don’t do karaoke really…I don’t know, I just haven’t had a chance, but if I did I’d maybe do something by Kings of Leon.

On her idols…
I’m a huge fan of (1950s movie star) Natalie Wood movies and her musicals and stuff. I always looked up to my parents because they were extremely supportive in everything that I did and, I mean, I cannot imagine having to do what they did for me so I really admire them for that.

On bouncing back from knock backs…
I think everyone gets hardships in the business and, you know, it’s a thing of the past now so it’s over with. If I’m having a blah day I’ll perk myself up with chocolate! Haha! Or I’ll probably call Ashley and hang out with her, you know, it’s nice to have your girlfriends around.

On shopping in Australia…
We can’t wait to hit sass and bide, we love their stuff.

On working out…
I love cycling, I love pilates. Ashley and I have been working out at the gym here for the past few days, we love working out together. When we were in Utah filming this last movie, we were actually doing pilates like four times a week? And we’d go together and it would be so fun and it’d be like “come on Ashley! Come on Vanessa”, it was so funny.

On her favourite food…
I always have edamame (green soy beans) in my fridge at home because you can just heat it up and eat it with a little bit of salt. I never get tired of it! But I’m pretty adventurous with food, you could pay me to eat pretty much anything. I ate crickets the other day and grub worms in Mexico. So I think if I could do that, I could do anything. But not anything still alive. The thought of something squiggling going down my throat is just disgusting.

On her quirks…
I’m a person that is too good at my own hair. So that whenever anyone else does it, I make it known to them “just that piece right there” so yeah (laughs) my hair! I always have hand sanitiser in my purse because I shake a lot of hands and I’m kind of a germ-o-phobe.

Interview with the girls of HSM3!

If you don't love them, you are certainly aware of them; Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella), Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay), Monique Coleman (Taylor) and Olesya Rulin (Kelsi). These singin'/dancin'/actin' girls have rocked our TV sets in two "High School Musical" films and now, finally they hit the big screen in "HSM3: Senior Year". Rumor is, the new Sophomore characters introduced in "3" will go on in future HSM films and Sharpay will be involved in the school as an assistant to the colorful drama teacher Miss Darbus. But, for core cast purposes, this is it for the female Wildcats!

We sat down for a little gurl-chat dish recently in Beverly Hills and got the scoop as the girls look back on their wild HSM ride, their emotional final scene and what's up for the future. Picture Vanessa in a red outfit (her best color), Ashley in a mauve top with black beading, Monique in a tight green drape-neck blouse and Olesya dressing a lot like her character, without glasses, in a peace symbol scarf over a white shirt and black jacket. Let's dish.....

TeenHollywood: Vanessa, for most of these three films you just seem so happy. Are you just a super happy person?

Vanessa Hudgens at the London Premire of High School Musical 3: Senior Year Credit: Getty Images

Vanessa: (laughing) I get to do what I love. It's amazing. I grew up acting and singing and dancing and I get to work with my best friends. This is the dream job and I really love my character. She's this strong, positive young woman who is always fighting for the right things so she's a fun character to play. I'm a happy person as well so it's always easy to put a smile on your face.

TeenHollywood: Your characters have to make a decision about what to do with your lives after high school. Growing up, did you always know what you wanted to be when you were an adult?

Vanessa: I always really liked acting, singing and dancing and it's been a hobby of mine so I feel really lucky that I got to have this experience. I'm lucky that my hobby turned out to be my career.

Monique: Yes, but I'm not sure that our characters do have a clear vision of exactly what they want to do. I think that whatHigh School Musical does is break us out of that box. Now we're living in a time where kids need to know what they want to do by the time they're seven. That's ridiculous. What this movie says is you don't need to know by the time you're eighteen. Actually, you have a whole world of possibilities that lay before you and ultimately, the only thing that is important is that you do make a choice and the choice is yours.

TeenHollywood: But Taylor is one character who is aiming at the White House.

Monique Coleman with Corbin Bleu in High School Musical 3: Senior Year Credit: Walt Disney Pictures

Monique: Well, my character is a little different and did know exactly what she wanted to do and I, also, when I was very young, did know what I wanted to do. But, this movie has broadened my horizons and made me feel like 'you, know, I'm interested in writing and speaking and doing a bunch of other things'. And we'll all, hopefully, have a very colorful career ahead of us.

Ashley: Actually, it's really funny because at a young age, I've really always known what I wanted to do. I've been in the business since I was three. I kind of fell into it. My parents didn't want me in the business so they never pushed me to do anything. All they pushed me to do was to have an education and go to regular school and just be normal just like everybody else even though I was doing commercials at a young age and touring the world in 'Les Miserables' at age eight. But, that's because I want to do it.

TeenHollywood: How did you get hooked on the business so early?

Ashley: I get inspired when I see things. I went to New York and saw 'Les Miserables' I had to do it. I wanted to do it. I'm just very lucky and blessed that I actually got to. I usually put my mind toward things and I end up doing it which not everybody can say so I am like my character Sharpay in a way where she always knows what she wants and she goes out there and gets it. However we go about it in a different way.

TeenHollywood: It can be scary making big life decisions. From an actor's point of view, what gives you the courage to take that step?

Olesya Rulin and Lucas Grabeel in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year Credit: Walt Disney Pictures

Olesya: For me, what gives me the courage to take big steps is the possibilities. I grew up in Russia. I moved to America at age seven. I was born in a little tiny village, like twelve houses with no indoor plumbing and my parents, through a lot of work and a lot of luck, came to America and they were given this world where anything is possible. Every day, when I wake up, I feel like that. I came from a little house without any plumbing and my dad hunted for our food and I'm here now working for Disney Channel and I represent Mickey Mouse and I think that's awesome. It just shows me that anything is possible if you have that courage and faith in yourself, you can accomplish anything.

TeenHollywood: What would you say to teens out there who are going through what your characters in this film are...Senior year, prom, graduation, going to college and all that?

Ashley Tisdale at the London Premiere of High School Musical 3: Senior Year Credit: Getty Images

Olesya: I would say 'don't worry because even failing at something can be so beautiful'. Take a lot of time, especially right now, in middle school and high school. (Some say that) you have to get straight 'A's, you can't make any mistakes. You have to have six hundred credit hours of community service or you're not getting into NYU'. There's so much pressure. You know what? Be crazy. Try something different. Yeah, you might fail. You might be horrible at playing the violin but at least you tried and there's beauty in that. 'Hey, I tried it and I was really bad but I did it for three years. That's saying something. That's how you develop and grow into the person you are. You grow your own personal character by making mistakes, by going out there by experimenting as much as you can and that's life and there's no way you should stop yourself from experiencing it.

TeenHollywood: That's very cool advice! Ashley, this film kind of sets you up for 'The Sharpay Evans Musical' in number 4. Is that going to happen?

Ashley: I don't know anything about that. It is flattering to have an open door, obviously for my character but I am doing other projects as well and moving on. But, this project is something I'll always hold close to my heart. We have so much fun and we've created such an amazing family. I had the best time on and off screen with this cast.

Zac and Vanessa cuddle up in HSM3 Credit: Walt Disney Pictures

TeenHollywood: Can you talk about your emotions on the last day of shooting? Zac and Corbin said it was pretty emotional.

Ashley: It was totally emotional. Momo [to Monique] I just said 'Momo' (laughs), Monique, actually, she cried first.

Monique: Actually no, okay I do normally, but this time I did not, You started crying first.

Ashley: Okay maybe I did and we all started crying and then huddling and it was emotional.

Monique: I was a dirty mess. I ruined my costume. I had to go back to the trailer and clean my face up but I didn't start it this time.

Ashley: Kenny (Ortega) had said this amazing speech and that's what got us all going. Hair and Make-up [people] even started crying. They couldn't get hair and make-up back on us. It was an emotional fest. But even Lucas Grabeel who is such an amazing person and is usually stand-off-ish in feelings, he doesn't show his feelings and he even teared up. That's something that's really big because for the last three years, he's the man. He doesn't do that. But he showed some tears and it was definitely emotional.

TeenHollywood: What did Kenny say that started everybody crying?

Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year Credit: Walt Disney Pictures

Monique: We're the ones that get the attention from this movie primarily and that's not necessarily where all the attention is due. It's an ensemble; it's the writer, producers, everyone involved. But, Kenny really is sort of the cornerstone for us. He, obviously made all our dreams come true [she's tearing up here a she speaks] He said, 'you know, guys, I'm so proud of you but I want you to know that this is my dream. It was my dream to be able to do this in my career and I owe it to all of you and the performances that you gave and the energy that you put behind this and I'm eternally grateful to you' and we were just like [she starts mock-crying] to know that not only has your life been changed but you're able to give that back and that's this whole thing is about. We're inspiring kids but then kids get to turn around and inspire us back. There's nothing more exciting than for some child to talk up to you and say 'oh my gosh, I love Taylor McKessie or 'I wear glasses too' or just the little things that we don't even realize that kids pick up on or connect to. I can tell, when a kid shows up wearing a little tie...'who's your favorite?' [laughter]. It's really inspiring.

TeenHollywood: Vanessa, are you proud to be representing Latinas in these High School Musical films? Have Latin fans come up to you?

Vanessa: That's actually one thing that drew me to the project. It wasn't the stereotypical leading lady; the fact that she is Hispanic, Gabriella Montez, was something that I found really interesting and I'm very proud to be a part of it. I feel like there's not that many people who can represent for a different ethnicity and I'm really proud. Whenever I get the chance to go to Mexico, I try my hardest to speak Spanish to connect with everybody but it really is an honor.

Monique Coleman on the promotional tour of High School Musical Credit: Getty Images

TeenHollywood: Monique, after doing 'Dancing with the Stars' how did you feel when you found out there would be ballroom dancing in HSM3?

Monique: I was excited about that.

TeenHollywood: Were you afraid of hearing Len [Goodman] and Bruno's [Tonioli, the judges'] voices in your head while you were dancing in this film?

Monique: Absolutely not. 'Dancing with the Stars' was a very interesting experience for me. One of the things I learned about myself is that I'm not actually a competitive person. I only compete with myself. But, I was very excited that we were going to be doing the waltzing. For one, I wasn't going to be judged but also because I think we have this idea of high school and the prom and that usually involves [she makes her own funny beat box noises] that type of music and really short skirts and 'how revealing can my prom dress be?'

TeenHollywood: A waltz is more elegant and romantic.

Monique: Yeah, for the prom in our musical, to be a waltz, I felt like, is very classy. Truly, a throwback to old movie musicals and also bringing a class and integrity to a younger generation because whatever you expose kids to is what they're going to absorb. If you expose kids to only techno and whatever then that's what they're going to think is the standard. But, if you expose them to something that is very difficult and does require trust and does require you to be intimately close to someone without it being sexual, then I think we are really sending out an awesome message.

Vanessa Hudgens at the 2007 ABC All Star Party Credit: Getty Images

TeenHollywood: Vanessa, I wanted to ask you about ballroom dancing with Zac. Is that something you both had done before or something you had to learn?

Vanessa: Oh no, we definitely had to learn. It was the most difficult dance that I've had to do throughout the three movies just because it's so different. I've taken tap and jazz and hip-hop but nothing could have prepared me for doing the waltz; the lifts we do, the turns we do, it was a lot. When Kenny told me about it, I thought he was kidding because it's just so far-fetched but I'm really proud of it. Like Monique said, it is kind of a throwback and it's just so classic and so classy and it's so sweet and romantic that it actually turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the movie and I'm really proud that it came out so well.

TeenHollywood: You two looked great doing it. Favorite scene, favorite song?

Vanessa: It's so hard. We've done three movies. It's been three years of our lives that we've had the most amazing time. We've done so much together and been through so much that picking one memory is almost impossible. One really great thing for me was "We're All in This Together" because it was kind of where our magic really came into the picture. We became this family and it was a moment that was really special, really magical. I remember me and Monique were crying, or Monique was crying and it was a really great moment for me.

Monique: Like Vanessa said, it's been such an incredible ride and we've gotten to do things that other actors don't get to do ever in their careers, from doing concert tours. The amount of press that we're doing for this feature, we did for a TV movie and went all over the world and got exposed to so many more things. Every single day, whether it be working with the Make a Wish Foundation or having someone that you really admire, like Chandra Wilson of 'Grey's Anatomy' whom I love, having her know who I am...every day there's something exciting, to remember.

TeenHollywood: How did your real-life Senior years compare to this film?

Ashley Tisdale at the MTV's Total Request Live Credit: Getty Images

Ashley: My real-life Senior year was completely opposite of Sharpay's. She's thinking about a Julliard scholarship the entire Senior year because it's a step towards Broadway for her whereas I was already acting in my high school. I had to make a big decision. Education is very important in the family so I'd asked my dad, 'can I please take off a year before I go to college because I really want to focus on my acting'. In order to do that he said 'well, you have to take as many acting classes as you can. I don't want you sitting around waiting for an audition'. And I did. I took as many acting classes as I could. I went to Groundlings for improv. But, I actually missed the structure of school because I went to regular school my whole life. But that was just a choice I made because I knew I wanted to be an actress. If I went to college it would have been for writing but I get to co-write my music on my album so I get to use that. But, now Sharpay is going to U of Albuquerque and assisting Ms. Darbus [in the High School Drama Department].

Olesya: My Senior year is really similar. I was working a fulltime job and I had five classes and just worked all day long and went to school all day and did a lot of community service and I graduated with my associates from high school and I was just really busy and really just focused on college and trying to get my full ride and all that craziness that comes with Senior year. I had really bad Senior-itis, never went to school but got great grades. [laughter]

Vanessa: I was actually home-schooled so I never really went to high school. That's just another reason why High School Musical means so much to me. I got to go to my prom for the first time but it's a lot better. I got to have the prom that every girl wishes they had and I got to wear a cap and gown for the very first time and graduate with people who I love dearly, the cast who have become some of my closest friends so it's been a lot of fun.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year Credit: Walt Disney Pictures

Monique: I went to a private school and when I graduated, we did not wear a cap and gown. We wore white dresses and (carried) a rose and I guess it was somewhat similar to the graduation in this film. I wasn't nearly as emotional. I was seventeen and I couldn't get out of high school fast enough, or get on with my life fast enough and I couldn't get far away from South Carolina fast enough at that time so I'm sure I had different motivations than my character does but I definitely was a leader and ambitious.

www.teenhollywood.com

Zac Efron Cosmo Girl interview

High School Musical’s leading man chats with CosmoGirl about his thoughts on his final HSM, his own senior year, and the best way to ask someone to prom. (Any volunteers?)

WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST STANDOUT MOMENT FROM THE ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE FOR YOU?

I think that one of the moments that we all look back on as pretty amazing was in the first movie, when we filmed “We’re All in This Together.” We were all in our elements in that moment. It was the time of our lives and that was the beginning of it all. Another standout moment for the whole cast — I know it was for me — was the finale of the third movie, the very last thing we shot. It was very surreal to look at how far we had come.

SO, WHAT’S IT LIKE KNOWING THAT THIS IS THE END OF THE ROAD FOR THIS ADVENTURE?

It’s crazy. We’ve been a team for three years now, and we’ve built such strong friendships up to this point. It’s amazing to work in an environment in which you have such strong support from your peers and your friends. It’s kind of a safety net, having these kids around you. They’re all so talented and really fun to film with. I just hope that we can keep that alive outside of filming.

ARE THERE ANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HSM’S SENIOR YEAR AND YOUR REAL-LIFE SENIOR YEAR?

I think Troy dealt with a lot of the same decisions that I did in high school. He’s got several loves in his life and he needs to decide which one is the most important to him and which one he wants to pursue — and that can be extremely difficult. There are two things every senior must do. I think every senior has to, like, just bomb a test. Completely just not know a single answer and get the worst grade possible because it’s really humanizing. I can’t talk about my senior pranks! Senior prank is a fun thing to do before you graduate. Yeah, just take part in a senior prank, whatever it may be. The good ones always get remembered. You know, I think they’re still talking about us at that school.

WHAT DO YOU THINK TROY WOULD SIGN IN GABRIELLA’S YEARBOOK?

He’d probably draw some big, cool picture, maybe of something they did in the past.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT TO PROM?

In person — not by text message! I’d say, jump out of a cake — just kidding. I think I just knew who I was going to prom with. There was no down-on-one-knee and asking or anything like that

Follow your heart!

My 10-year-old inaanak, Krystal Sevilla, a grade-schooler at St. Mary’s in Quezon City, is a big fan of Vanessa Hudgens, the campus sweetheart of Zac Efron (also Krystal’s dreamboat) in the hit Disney Channel teen show High School Musical (HSM). When she learned that I was going to interview Vanessa and Zac, along with the whole East High gang (Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Olesya Rulin, Matt Prokop and Justin Martin), she was ecstatic. “Say ‘Hi!’ to Vanessa for me,” Krystal reminded me, sounding as if Vanessa, who plays Gabriella Montez, was her next-door playmate. (Zac plays Troy Bolton.)

That’s just what I did when I came face-to-face with Vanessa and company at a function room of the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills last Tuesday for the junket for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, the movie version (produced by Walt Disney Pictures) which is opening on Friday, Oct. 24, across the USA and in the Philippines. Smiling while autographing an HSM promo photo,Vanessa said, “Oh, say ‘Hi!’ to her for me,” sounding as if Krystal was her chika-mate.

It’s understandable why Filipino kids have a sanguine closeness to Vanessa. Yes, Vanessa is half-Filipina and she looks it, from her midnight-black hair to her light-brown complexion.

HSM3 is a happy movie not only Krystal’s friends but also those kids-at-heart can relate to. The East High seniors are busy with the basketball tournament, and the forthcoming junior/senior prom and graduation. During the press preview at the El Capitan Theater on Sunset Boulevard, my journalist friend Raoul Tidalgo and I were misty-eyed, nostalgic about our own high school days ages (ouch!) ago. The dance sequences, especially the graduation ball and the hardcourt exhibition, were dazzling. The movie is bursting with boundless energy and youthful exuberance, still set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, like the HSM TV series but shot mostly at the real East High in Salt Lake City.

Reminiscent of such teen-targetted musicals as West Side Story and Grease, the movie was directed by Kenny Ortega, the same guy behind, among other shows, the sold-out Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds concert tour and the choreographer of  such A-list names as Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Bette Midler and The Pointer Sisters.

Going out of El Capitan, Raoul and I found ourselves singing the theme song of the Gil Portes movie High School Scandal, sung by Sharon Cuneta: High school life, oh my high school life ay walang kasing-saya; high school days, oh my high school days are exciting talaga…!

Here are excerpts of my Conversation which will surely raise even higher HSM fans already high on Vanessa and Zac:

 You grew up practically in High School Musical. What’s the best lesson that you learned on the set which you didn’t learn in school?

Vanessa: Actually, I was home-schooled so I experienced many of the typical high school experiences through HSM. I’ve never been to a prom, so through this movie I got to experience my prom. I never went to my graduation, but through this movie I got to wear a cap and gown. I’ve grown up so much with my character. I was 16 when I got into HSM and I was really shy. I was afraid of the world. I’ve learned so much about myself.

Zac: We learned so much every day. You know, making movies is a very complicated process and I was most excited to learn about the filmmaking side of things. HSM is very educational. The HSM stars have been traveling around the United States and Europe, and we even went to Hong Kong for promo, and we learned so much about different cultures and that was very exciting.

Vanessa, you were sweet 16 when you got in. How was your audition like?

Vanessa: Yes, as I’ve said, I was 16 when I went in. For the audition, I did a scene all by myself. They asked me to sing a song and I sang Angels by Robbie Williams. For the second audition, I sang the same song. They told me, ‘Good. But do you know anything else?’ I sang a song by Kelly Clarkson.

Do you have favorite songs from the TV shows and the movie?

Vanessa: Breaking Free from the first TV show, Gotta Go My Own Way from the second and Just Wanna Be With You from the movie version.

How different is the movie from the first two TV shows?

Vanessa: The TV showsled up to this movie. This is our last year in school and we are dealing with adult issues like getting into college and leaving friends, family and relationships behind — you know, the same experience most everybody has gone through and will go through at a certain point in their lives. Because this time we were doing it for the cinemas, we had to up our dancing and our songs. We all have grown up as actors.

Could you tell us about your Filipino heritage?

Vanessa: I’m half-Filipino. My mother is Filipina. She comes from Cebu and Manila. Her maiden surname is Cojuangco.

Oh, did you know that the Cojuangcos are a prominent, rich and influential family in thePhilippines? One of them, Tonyboy Cojuangco, owns a TV station and used to own a telephone company (PLDT).

Vanessa: Really? Is that so?

Have you been to the Philippines?

Vanessa: No; not yet. But I hope to go there someday with my family.

Were you brought up the Filipino way or the American way?

Vanessa: A little bit of both. I have rice with every meal.

How much of the Filipino custom and tradition do you know?

Vanessa: Not much. I’ve learned a few things here and there. The most that I got from Filipino culture is through food.

Zac, I understand that like Vanessa, you have your own Philippine connection, right?

Zac: My dad has been to the Philippines several times — for fun. He’s an engineer. We have several Filipino friends. My dad told me that Filipinos are a very musical people. One day, I will go to the Philippines — for fun.

Any memorable high-school experience in real life?

Zac: There’s a lot. I remember that one time, I was at lunch eating watermelon and that’s when I asked my date to the prom. That was memorable. Did she say yes? Yes, she did!

Young people look up to you as role models. Does it put pressure on you? Who are your own role models?

Zac: I think that I feel pressured to be myself. It seems that it’s easy to be changed in this business. I feel great that I established my life and my goals long before I got into HSM. So I’m comfortable with myself and my life now. My role models? Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise and Will Smith.

Vanessa: Hmmmm. I grew up watching a lot of Natalie Wood movies. But my role models are my parents. They have given up a lot to help me get to where I am now and to realize my dreams.

What kind of family did you come from, conservative or liberal?

Vanessa: A little bit of both. I think I grew up quite American.

How would you compare yourself to Gabriella Montez, your HSM character?

Vanessa: I’m a lot like her. She was the new girl in East High. I didn’t think I was like her at the time but as I grew up I started to see what I really was. I was very shy and timid. Gabriella Montez and I both grew up together; I was comfortable under her skin. We became both go-getters. We fight for what we think is right. In this movie, you see her kind of being torn by her heart and her head — making tough decisions, trying to figure out what to do after high school.

Zac, do you also love basketball and music so much like Troy Bolton, your character?

Zac: Yes, I do — very much! I went through a lot of similar things that Troy is going through in high school. He has to choose between academics or performing. I established the character when I was pretty young so there’s so much of Troy Bolton in me.

You started in the business early (Vanessa at eight and Zac at 12). How was it growing up in the public eye? Did you have a “normal” childhood?

Zac: I didn’t start in the business at 12 although I started performing in theater at that age. I didn’t start earning money until I was about 16. But things didn’t really take off until I was about 18. So I led a very normal childhood, with acting as my hobby. I didn’t really grow up in the public eye.

What do you do away from work?

Zac: A lot of things. I hang out with friends, with family.

Vanessa: I’m 19 and I do things that any 19-year-old would normally do. I like working out, hanging out with girlfriends, shopping, laughing at home, doing the grocery and filling up my car with gas.  

By the way, are you really going steady?

Zac (Blushing a bit): Hmmmm.

Vanessa (Taking a minute to answer): That’s a very personal question.

Is it true, Zac, that, according to the gossip mill, now that Vanessa has bought a house worth $3 million you are moving in?

Zac (As if put on the spot): No, I’m not.

What are the upside and the downside of stardom?

Zac: I think the upside is that we are doing what we want to do in a creative environment. Being an actor is fun. The environment is constantly changing so you never stop learning. The downside? The loss of a little bit of privacy.

How do you deal with the downside? Do you go out in a disguise?

Zac: No, I don’t do anything crazy like that. It hasn’t got to that point yet. I simply find enough time for myself and try to keep my private life to myself. I don’t talk about it and simply refuse to answer personal questions.

Vanessa: Well, behind closed doors I still have a life, you know. I just don’t talk about things that are private and which I don’t want people to know.

What do you think is the movie’s best message?

Zac: I think it’s that in high school things are happening too quickly; there’s a lot of pressure to make choices that you don’t necessarily feel ready to make. The best lesson? Decide for yourself and don’t listen to everyone else’s opinion.

Vanessa: There are so many choices and make sure that you make the right one.

What advice can you give seniors who are graduating and, like the characters in the movie, don’t know what direction to take?

Zac: I think it’s important to always try new things. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think outside the box in terms of my hobbies when I was growing up. I tried every sport at least once and then I found performing as the one thing that I love doing the most.

Vanessa: Follow your heart.

After HSM, what?

Zac: Truthfully? I don’t really know yet. Hopefully, more roles. Oh yes, I have two movies showing soon, Me and Orson Welles  and 17 Again.

Vanessa: I released my second album, called Identify, last July; and I have a new movie coming soon, Bandslam (with Lisa Kudrow, Gaelan Connell and Aly Michalka).

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