Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born in Salinas, California on December 14, 1988. Her sister Stella Hudgens is also an actress. She has been home-schooled since the seventh grade. Her parents are Greg Hudgens and Gina Guangco. In regards to her ethnic background, Vanessa was quoted:

"Pretty much I'm Filipino and Caucasian, but within that, I'm Spanish, Chinese, American Indian, Irish."[2]

Starting at the age of eight, Hudgens performed in musical theater as a singer, and appeared in local productions of Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, The Music Man, and Cinderella, among others. Hudgens successfully auditioned for a commercial and subsequently moved to Los Angeles with her family, with whom she is still close

Hudgens began performing at an early age, appearing in musicals starting at age eight, by taking over a friend who couldn't go to the audition, and moved to Los Angeles after winning an audition for a commercial. She scored roles on shows such as Quintuplets, Cover Me, and Still Standing, then made her feature debut in Thirteen as Noel and appeared in the 2004 summer film, Thunderbirds as Tintin. Her television appearances include guest roles on Quintuplets, Still Standing, The Brothers Garcia and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, as Corrie, a classmate of Maddie and London. Hudgens also appeared on Drake & Josh, playing Drake's girlfriend, Rebecca. Vanessa was only 16 at the time.

Hudgens' largest role among teenage audiences has been starring in the Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical, which premiered in January 2006; BBC News specified that the film's success turned Hudgens into a "household name" in North America.[3] Hudgens and Efron had won "Best Chemistry" award at the Teen Choice Awards for their roles.[4]

As a result of the film's popularity, Hudgens was offered a contract by Old Navy to appear in multiple commercials for the company. Hudgens had previously appeared in a swimwear commercial for the company in 2005.[5]