How old the stars of 'High School Musical' were compared to their characters' ages

Max KalnitzMar 3, 2021, 22:08 IST

The cast of "High School Musical."Disney Channel

The first "High School Musical" was released in 2006 and became a mega success.
In the movie, the main characters are juniors, and it's assumed they are 16 or 17.
Some of the cast members were also teenagers, while others were much older.

When Kenny Ortega's "High School Musical" was released 15 years ago, nobody had any idea just how popular it would be. And in the years since, it has only grown in popularity, with subsequent movies and musicals being released after the success of the first movie.

The first movie follows the unlikely relationship of basketball star Troy and the bookish Gabriella as they audition for the high school musical. Troy, Gabriella, and the rest of the main cast are juniors at East High School in the first "HSM" film.

Unlike some movies like "Grease," where the cast was much older than their on-screen characters, many of the cast members of "HSM" were relatively close to being high school-aged during the film. But some were still far too old to still be in high school.

Keep reading to see the real ages of the cast of the first "HSM" movie compared to their characters.

East High School basketball star Troy Bolton is 16 or 17 years old.

Zac Efron as Troy Bolton in "High School Musical." Disney Channel

Zac Efron was 18 while filming "High School Musical."

Zac Efron at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" in 2007. J. Emilio Flores/Corbis via Getty Images

Troy's love interest and musical partner, Gabriella Montez, is also 16 or 17.

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens in "High School Musical." Disney

She's played by Vanessa Hudgens, who turned 18 while filming the movie.

Vanessa Hudgens at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" in 2007. Charley Gallay/Getty Images

East High Drama Club co-president Sharpay Evans is also a junior.

Ashley Tisdale in "High School Musical." Disney Channel

Ashley Tisdale was 20 at the time.

Ashley Tisdale at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" in 2007. Charley Gallay/Getty Images'

Ryan Evans is the same age as his twin sister, Sharpay.

Lucas Grabeel in "High School Musical." Disney Channel

Lucas Grabeel was actually 22 at the time.

Lucas Grabeel at the premiere of "High School Musical 2" in 2007. J. Emilio Flores/Corbis via Getty Images

Chad Danforth is Troy's best friend and co-captain of the basketball team. He's also 16 or 17.

Monique Coleman and Corbin Bleu in "High School Musical." Disney Channel

Corbin Bleu was 16 years old when filming "HSM."

Corbin Bleu in 2007. Ian West - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Scholastic Decathlon Team captain Taylor McKessie, who was also 16 or 17, had some pretty ambitious goals for a junior.

Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie in "High School Musical." Disney Channel

At 25, Monique Coleman was the oldest cast member of the core characters.

Monique Coleman in 2008. Clayton Chase Fullmer/WireImage/Getty Images

Kelsi Nielsen, the theater student who composed the musical Twinkle Towne, was also 16 or 17.

Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen in "High School Musical 3." Walt Disney Studios

She was played by Olesya Rulin, who was 19 at the time.

Olesya Rulin in 2016. Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic/Getty

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