'High School Musical' at 20: The advice Michael Jackson gave the cast Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAYJanuary 22, 2026 at 6:55 AM 0 NEW YORK – When Kenny Ortega first read the script for "High School Musical," the directorchoreographer saw a version of his younger self in the character of Troy Bolton. And then Ortega took his time to find the actor who would eventually play Bolton on screen. "My life was complicated and I was involved in both sports and theater," Ortega, 75, tells USA TODAY alongside actress Monique Coleman, who played Taylor McKessie in the Disney franchise.
- - 'High School Musical' at 20: The advice Michael Jackson gave the cast
Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAYJanuary 22, 2026 at 6:55 AM
0
NEW YORK – When Kenny Ortega first read the script for "High School Musical," the director-choreographer saw a version of his younger self in the character of Troy Bolton. And then Ortega took his time to find the actor who would eventually play Bolton on screen.
"My life was complicated and I was involved in both sports and theater," Ortega, 75, tells USA TODAY alongside actress Monique Coleman, who played Taylor McKessie in the Disney franchise. "But there was enough there that I completely understood what was on the page and I was like, 'Let me add to it.'"
Ortega was born and raised in Palo Alto, Calif., and his father was a big sports fan, so he understood the conflict that Bolton faced in pursuing both athletics and theater. And the director recalls, after seeing many contenders, when he knew that a then-unknown Zac Efron was the one to play Bolton.
(From left) Actress Monique Coleman and director Kenny Ortega share a laugh while taking a trip down memory lane to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the movie "High School Musical."
"I remember one of the auditions, I had everybody for six hours, we were improvising and doing music and playing basketball," Ortega recalls. "I and others felt confident that the promise was there, that Zac was gonna be able to handle all that was there and bring even more."
"High School Musical," which marks its 20th anniversary with a dedicated streaming channel on Disney+, brought more to the cast and crew than they could've imagined. The initial movie spawned two sequels and turned a few of its stars into household names. Those sequels, along with the series "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" will stream on a special channel through Disney+ from now until March 4.
Michael Jackson's advice to the 'High School Musical' cast
Sure, posting photos from 2016 is the current viral trend. But do you remember 2006? Facebook wasn't available outside of college campuses. You might have been more focused on your MySpace top 8 than an AIM away message. And blogs covering celebrity news and gossip, such as TMZ and Perez Hilton, began to usher in an hyper-charged new era of entertainment media coverage.
All of this coincided with popularity of "High School Musical" and the obsession over its stars, namely Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. The two were really in this whole thing together, playing romantic leads in the movie and dating in real life shortly after their casting. In many ways, Ortega was the perfect person to help guide the young stars through newfound fame. He had experienced this as a choreographer for "Dirty Dancing" with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey and through his work with Michael Jackson, Cher, Madonna, Diana Ross and other legendary stars.
"Michael Jackson even got on the phone once in Paris when we were all having dinner," Ortega reveals of a September 2008 press tour trip for "High School Musical 3." "Not everyone was there, but (Jackson) got on the phone with Zac and Vanessa and basically said, 'Don't lose your childhood over all of this. Don't lose who you are over all of this. It's not real. Don't let this distract you from who you are as an individual. Don't let it rob you of your life.'"
Jackson died less than a year later at age 50.
As for Coleman, the actress admits she was able to "slide under the radar" thanks to the media's focus on her costars. But she credits Ortega's leadership with keeping the cast together, especially as they branched out into additional films and live tours.
"When we went on tour and we didn't know, 'How are we gonna do this?' Coleman, 45, says. The cast expected to receive some "major advice" from Ortega that called back to his past work with iconic musicians. Instead, she reveals, "what Kenny told us was to hang up our clothes and to learn people's names. And those are the fundamentals that you don't remember or think about, but that matter more than anything."
Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, Monique Coleman and Ashley Tisdale attend a photo call for "High School Musical" at the Quay Restaurant on May 26, 2006, in Sydney, Australia.Monique Coleman reveals the true story behind Taylor's headband
Coleman was one of the older performers on set for "High School Musical": the actress was in her mid-20s when the movie came out on the Disney Channel. The experience she brought to the project benefitted her from the start. Coleman recalls that she first auditioned for Gabriella, the role Hudgens eventually landed. The actress felt her audition didn't go well and said as much to the casting directors before she left the room.
"I believe that in that moment, they saw the seed of Taylor McKessie," Coleman says. "I'd gone off to Chicago to resurrect my theater career and it was only a few days later that I get a call saying, 'You've actually been called back for this untitled high school musical project for a different role of Taylor McKessie.' When I read that role I immediately felt something very different than what I did in the initial audition because I had never seen a character like Taylor played by someone who looked like me."
Coleman used her voice again on set. It was the early 2000s, and the cast was filming in Utah. Coleman describes the entire industry as "very different than what it is today" from an inclusivity standpoint.
"When we initially got my hair done, it was not going to be able to last through the entire production, because at the time did not have Black hairstylists and we didn't have the money to really be able to do that," she explains. "The first day we were filming, we had to put a scarf on me and I said, "If we do this today, we have to make this her character because every Black girl that's watching this is going to know that something was wrong with my hair."
Coleman eventually convinced the wardrobe department to include a matching headband with every one of Taylor's outfits. Her influence on the character didn't stop there.
Ashley Tisdale's acting career has taken off since she first appeared as the quick-witted, bubbly hotel employee Maddie on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." From Disney to now, see her career, beginning here at a premiere for "Phineas and Ferb," in which she stars as Candace in the animated comedy series, at Nya Studios on May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ashley Tisdale's acting career has taken off since she first appeared as the quick-witted, bubbly hotel employee Maddie on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." From Disney to now, see her career, beginning here at a premiere for "Phineas and Ferb," in which she stars as Candace in the animated comedy series, at Nya Studios on May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xWvA0Cf class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Ashley Tisdale's acting career has taken off since she first appeared as the quick-witted, bubbly hotel employee Maddie on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." From Disney to now, see her career, beginning here at a premiere for "Phineas and Ferb," in which she stars as Candace in the animated comedy series, at Nya Studios on May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles.
">Ashley Tisdale's acting career has taken off since she first appeared as the quick-witted, bubbly hotel employee Maddie on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." From Disney to now, see her career, beginning here at a premiere for "Phineas and Ferb," in which she stars as Candace in the animated comedy series, at Nya Studios on May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/xWvA0Cf class=caas-img>Tisdale arrives at "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Enagement" pajama party DVD event on Dec. 8, 2004, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6ZtlNYn class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale arrives at "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Enagement" pajama party DVD event on Dec. 8, 2004, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
">Tisdale arrives at "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Enagement" pajama party DVD event on Dec. 8, 2004, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/6ZtlNYn class=caas-img>Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale attend the premiere of 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year" at the Village Jam Factory on Nov. 12, 2008, in Melbourne, Australia. Tisdale starred in the movie musical franchise as Sharpay Evans alongside Hudgens' Gabriella and Efron's Troy.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lTS3czv class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale attend the premiere of 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year" at the Village Jam Factory on Nov. 12, 2008, in Melbourne, Australia. Tisdale starred in the movie musical franchise as Sharpay Evans alongside Hudgens' Gabriella and Efron's Troy.
">Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale attend the premiere of 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year" at the Village Jam Factory on Nov. 12, 2008, in Melbourne, Australia. Tisdale starred in the movie musical franchise as Sharpay Evans alongside Hudgens' Gabriella and Efron's Troy.
" src=https://ift.tt/lTS3czv class=caas-img>Tisdale at the 5th & Sunset Studios on April 30, 2005, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7EawkYD class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale at the 5th & Sunset Studios on April 30, 2005, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale at the 5th & Sunset Studios on April 30, 2005, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/7EawkYD class=caas-img>Tisdale performs on stage at the Latin America Awards on Oct. 15, 2009, in Universal City, California. Alongside her successful TV and film career, Tisdale launched a music career with songs like "He Said, She Said" and "It's Alright, It's OK."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pWZEseq class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale performs on stage at the Latin America Awards on Oct. 15, 2009, in Universal City, California. Alongside her successful TV and film career, Tisdale launched a music career with songs like "He Said, She Said" and "It's Alright, It's OK."
">Tisdale performs on stage at the Latin America Awards on Oct. 15, 2009, in Universal City, California. Alongside her successful TV and film career, Tisdale launched a music career with songs like "He Said, She Said" and "It's Alright, It's OK."
" src=https://ift.tt/pWZEseq class=caas-img>Tisdale poses backstage after her appearance on MTV's "Total Request Live" Feb. 7, 2007, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oqaOmLF class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale poses backstage after her appearance on MTV's "Total Request Live" Feb. 7, 2007, in New York City.
">Tisdale poses backstage after her appearance on MTV's "Total Request Live" Feb. 7, 2007, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/oqaOmLF class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the 2009 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sept. 12, 2009, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hvSRrNC class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the 2009 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sept. 12, 2009, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends the 2009 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sept. 12, 2009, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/hvSRrNC class=caas-img>Tisdale, right, Brenda Song, who starred alongside her as hotel heiress London Tipton in "The Suite Life," arrive at the premiere of Sony Pictures' "This Is It" on Oct. 27, 2009, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VMhA7Ca class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale, right, Brenda Song, who starred alongside her as hotel heiress London Tipton in "The Suite Life," arrive at the premiere of Sony Pictures' "This Is It" on Oct. 27, 2009, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale, right, Brenda Song, who starred alongside her as hotel heiress London Tipton in "The Suite Life," arrive at the premiere of Sony Pictures' "This Is It" on Oct. 27, 2009, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/VMhA7Ca class=caas-img>From left, "High School Musical" costars Monique Coleman, Corbin Bleu and Tisdale pose at the afterparty for the premiere of "This Is It" on Oct. 27, 2009, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AyOTShG class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
From left, "High School Musical" costars Monique Coleman, Corbin Bleu and Tisdale pose at the afterparty for the premiere of "This Is It" on Oct. 27, 2009, in Los Angeles.
">From left, "High School Musical" costars Monique Coleman, Corbin Bleu and Tisdale pose at the afterparty for the premiere of "This Is It" on Oct. 27, 2009, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/AyOTShG class=caas-img>Tisdale and Selena Gomez arrive at the 2011 People's Choice Awards on Jan. 5, 2011, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/McfVtjl class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale and Selena Gomez arrive at the 2011 People's Choice Awards on Jan. 5, 2011, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale and Selena Gomez arrive at the 2011 People's Choice Awards on Jan. 5, 2011, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/McfVtjl class=caas-img>Tisdale arrives at the 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at the Pacific Design Center on Feb. 27, 2011, in West Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8Ikz2Rh class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale arrives at the 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at the Pacific Design Center on Feb. 27, 2011, in West Hollywood, California.
">Tisdale arrives at the 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at the Pacific Design Center on Feb. 27, 2011, in West Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/8Ikz2Rh class=caas-img>Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens arrive at premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" held at Disneyland on May 7, 2011, in Anaheim, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6hQu4sp class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens arrive at premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" held at Disneyland on May 7, 2011, in Anaheim, California.
">Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens arrive at premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" held at Disneyland on May 7, 2011, in Anaheim, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/6hQu4sp class=caas-img>Tisdale arrives at the premiere of Disney Channel's "Phineas And Ferb: Across The 2nd Dimension" on Aug. 3, 2011, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CAwGysV class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale arrives at the premiere of Disney Channel's "Phineas And Ferb: Across The 2nd Dimension" on Aug. 3, 2011, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale arrives at the premiere of Disney Channel's "Phineas And Ferb: Across The 2nd Dimension" on Aug. 3, 2011, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/CAwGysV class=caas-img>Tisdale arrives at Nickelodeon's 25th annual Kids' Choice Awards held at Galen Center on March 31, 2012, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4wukof8 class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale arrives at Nickelodeon's 25th annual Kids' Choice Awards held at Galen Center on March 31, 2012, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale arrives at Nickelodeon's 25th annual Kids' Choice Awards held at Galen Center on March 31, 2012, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/4wukof8 class=caas-img>Zac Efron and Tisdale arrive at the "Rock of Ages" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 8, 2012, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/q8kRnKt class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Zac Efron and Tisdale arrive at the "Rock of Ages" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 8, 2012, in Hollywood, California.
">Zac Efron and Tisdale arrive at the "Rock of Ages" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 8, 2012, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/q8kRnKt class=caas-img>Tisdale and Lea Michele inside the 11th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 9, 2012, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LoC2BFX class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale and Lea Michele inside the 11th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 9, 2012, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale and Lea Michele inside the 11th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 9, 2012, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/LoC2BFX class=caas-img>From left, Vanessa Hudgens, Tisdale, Selena Gomez and Sarah Hyland attend The Weinstein Company's 2013 Golden Globe Awards afterparty at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0Oub7Md class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
From left, Vanessa Hudgens, Tisdale, Selena Gomez and Sarah Hyland attend The Weinstein Company's 2013 Golden Globe Awards afterparty at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California.
">From left, Vanessa Hudgens, Tisdale, Selena Gomez and Sarah Hyland attend The Weinstein Company's 2013 Golden Globe Awards afterparty at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/0Oub7Md class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the "Spring Breakers" premiere at ArcLight Cinemas on March 14, 2013, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PUVO5d6 class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the "Spring Breakers" premiere at ArcLight Cinemas on March 14, 2013, in Hollywood, California.
">Tisdale attends the "Spring Breakers" premiere at ArcLight Cinemas on March 14, 2013, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/PUVO5d6 class=caas-img>Tisdale arrives at Nickelodeon's 26th annual Kids' Choice Awards at USC Galen Center on March 23, 2013, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NKdBYM1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale arrives at Nickelodeon's 26th annual Kids' Choice Awards at USC Galen Center on March 23, 2013, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale arrives at Nickelodeon's 26th annual Kids' Choice Awards at USC Galen Center on March 23, 2013, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/NKdBYM1 class=caas-img>Tisdale arrives at the "Scary Movie 5" premiere at the ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on April 11, 2013, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VzHAbem class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale arrives at the "Scary Movie 5" premiere at the ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on April 11, 2013, in Hollywood, California.
">Tisdale arrives at the "Scary Movie 5" premiere at the ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on April 11, 2013, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/VzHAbem class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the 2014 Young Hollywood Awards at The Wiltern on July 27, 2014, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yt3HWC1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the 2014 Young Hollywood Awards at The Wiltern on July 27, 2014, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends the 2014 Young Hollywood Awards at The Wiltern on July 27, 2014, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/yt3HWC1 class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the InStyle and Warner Bros. 71st annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party on Jan. 12, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/p32hlKg class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the InStyle and Warner Bros. 71st annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party on Jan. 12, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Tisdale attends the InStyle and Warner Bros. 71st annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party on Jan. 12, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/p32hlKg class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the 23rd annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Feb. 22, 2015, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Y7Mo6H3 class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the 23rd annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Feb. 22, 2015, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends the 23rd annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Feb. 22, 2015, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/Y7Mo6H3 class=caas-img>Tisdale and Shaquille O'Neal attend the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/o5nlw3R class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale and Shaquille O'Neal attend the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015, in New York City.
">Tisdale and Shaquille O'Neal attend the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/o5nlw3R class=caas-img>Tisdale arrives at the Elle Women in Music Celebration on May 20, 2015, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ouqh1pk class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale arrives at the Elle Women in Music Celebration on May 20, 2015, in Hollywood, California.
">Tisdale arrives at the Elle Women in Music Celebration on May 20, 2015, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/ouqh1pk class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the 2015 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2015, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0w4t3VC class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the 2015 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2015, in New York City.
">Tisdale attends the 2015 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2015, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/0w4t3VC class=caas-img>Tisdale attends The Art of Elysium 2016 Heaven Gala at 3LABS on Jan. 9, 2016, in Culver City, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/F0BzGQe class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends The Art of Elysium 2016 Heaven Gala at 3LABS on Jan. 9, 2016, in Culver City, California.
">Tisdale attends The Art of Elysium 2016 Heaven Gala at 3LABS on Jan. 9, 2016, in Culver City, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/F0BzGQe class=caas-img>Tisdale speaks on stage during the 23rd annual Race to Erase MS Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 15, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2wV57RC class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale speaks on stage during the 23rd annual Race to Erase MS Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 15, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Tisdale speaks on stage during the 23rd annual Race to Erase MS Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 15, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/2wV57RC class=caas-img>Tisdale attends Variety's Power of Young Hollywood party at TAO on Aug. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Jc3oQnf class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends Variety's Power of Young Hollywood party at TAO on Aug. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends Variety's Power of Young Hollywood party at TAO on Aug. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/Jc3oQnf class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the Variety's Power of Women event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Oct. 13, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HXEhbx9 class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the Variety's Power of Women event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Oct. 13, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Tisdale attends the Variety's Power of Women event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Oct. 13, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/HXEhbx9 class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/olQaM3z class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Tisdale attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/olQaM3z class=caas-img>Tisdale and designer and CEO Whitney Port speak during a panel discussion at the Create & Cultivate Conference at the House of Vans in Chicago on Aug. 25, 2018.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/97SKG2B class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale and designer and CEO Whitney Port speak during a panel discussion at the Create & Cultivate Conference at the House of Vans in Chicago on Aug. 25, 2018.
">Tisdale and designer and CEO Whitney Port speak during a panel discussion at the Create & Cultivate Conference at the House of Vans in Chicago on Aug. 25, 2018.
" src=https://ift.tt/97SKG2B class=caas-img>Tisdale attends New York Fashion Week at Spring Studios on Sept. 11, 2018, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VR2nErS class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends New York Fashion Week at Spring Studios on Sept. 11, 2018, in New York City.
">Tisdale attends New York Fashion Week at Spring Studios on Sept. 11, 2018, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/VR2nErS class=caas-img>Tisdale and Christopher French arrive at the Amazon Prime Video Post Emmy Awards Party at Cecconi's on Sept. 17, 2018, in West Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/od8650O class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale and Christopher French arrive at the Amazon Prime Video Post Emmy Awards Party at Cecconi's on Sept. 17, 2018, in West Hollywood, California.
">Tisdale and Christopher French arrive at the Amazon Prime Video Post Emmy Awards Party at Cecconi's on Sept. 17, 2018, in West Hollywood, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/od8650O class=caas-img>Tan France and Tisdale speak on stage at Z100's Jingle Ball 2018 at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 7, 2018, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/a8DHshJ class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tan France and Tisdale speak on stage at Z100's Jingle Ball 2018 at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 7, 2018, in New York City.
">Tan France and Tisdale speak on stage at Z100's Jingle Ball 2018 at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 7, 2018, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/a8DHshJ class=caas-img>Christopher French and Tisdale attend the Amazon Prime Video's Golden Globe Awards afterparty at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LenCcEo class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Christopher French and Tisdale attend the Amazon Prime Video's Golden Globe Awards afterparty at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Christopher French and Tisdale attend the Amazon Prime Video's Golden Globe Awards afterparty at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/LenCcEo class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the "Stranger Things" Season 3 premiere on June 28, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/npWZYOX class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the "Stranger Things" Season 3 premiere on June 28, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.
">Tisdale attends the "Stranger Things" Season 3 premiere on June 28, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/npWZYOX class=caas-img>Tisdale attends a tree lighting celebration at The Grove on Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NXusBow class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends a tree lighting celebration at The Grove on Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends a tree lighting celebration at The Grove on Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/NXusBow class=caas-img>Allison Holker, Vanessa Lachey, Tisdale, Jenna Dewan and Jennie Garth at their Taylor Swift pre-concert party at The Shay on Aug. 3, 2023, in Culver City, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ef72EyB class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Allison Holker, Vanessa Lachey, Tisdale, Jenna Dewan and Jennie Garth at their Taylor Swift pre-concert party at The Shay on Aug. 3, 2023, in Culver City, California.
">Allison Holker, Vanessa Lachey, Tisdale, Jenna Dewan and Jennie Garth at their Taylor Swift pre-concert party at The Shay on Aug. 3, 2023, in Culver City, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/ef72EyB class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the 5th Daytime Beauty Awards honoring science behind beauty, health and wellness at Taglyan Complex on Oct. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2J8wWN3 class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the 5th Daytime Beauty Awards honoring science behind beauty, health and wellness at Taglyan Complex on Oct. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends the 5th Daytime Beauty Awards honoring science behind beauty, health and wellness at Taglyan Complex on Oct. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/2J8wWN3 class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the 2023 Teen Vogue Summit on Nov. 18, 2023, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/46RQ1rq class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the 2023 Teen Vogue Summit on Nov. 18, 2023, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends the 2023 Teen Vogue Summit on Nov. 18, 2023, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/46RQ1rq class=caas-img>Tisdale attends Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood Celebration at Nya Studios on Dec. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9UqcAin class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood Celebration at Nya Studios on Dec. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood Celebration at Nya Studios on Dec. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/9UqcAin class=caas-img>Tisdale attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Wicked" at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Nov. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iJAxTYu class=caas-img data-headline="See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now" data-caption="
Tisdale attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Wicked" at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Nov. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles.
">Tisdale attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Wicked" at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Nov. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/iJAxTYu class=caas-img>
1 / 43See Ashley Tisdale's career in the spotlight, from Disney to now
Ashley Tisdale's acting career has taken off since she first appeared as the quick-witted, bubbly hotel employee Maddie on "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." From Disney to now, see her career, beginning here at a premiere for "Phineas and Ferb," in which she stars as Candace in the animated comedy series, at Nya Studios on May 31, 2025, in Los Angeles.
"On the first day, they also asked me what backpack I wanted," she remembers. "I was like, 'Oh yeah, Taylor doesn't carry a backpack. Do you have one of those speech and debate carts?'"
No carts were available, but a briefcase was. The look for McKessie, who was captain of the East High Scholastic Decathlon Team, was complete. And so was the character that Coleman portrayed.
"Every set that I've moved to since then, I am always polite, I'm always kind, but I've learned to advocate for myself while also working within the parameters of who we've been given," Coleman continues. "Kenny's like, 'No, you have to figure this out together.' It helped me to be braver and to show up knowing that how I feel really does matter above everything, and that there is a way for us to find that place together."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael Jackson gave Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens this advice about fame
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 21, 2026 at 06:37PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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