This past week, the cast of High School Musical reunited for the 10 year anniversary of one of the most iconic movies of our generation. I of course had to watch and relive the wonderful memories as well as revisit my spirit animal, Sharpay Evans. I love telling people she's my spirit animal, because it always gets a laugh, but I did always aspire to be her growing up, and re-watching the movies it's pretty clear why. You may have to look a little deeper to see how inspirational Sharpay is, but she is such an important character in more ways than one.
1. She's a drama queen.
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"CALLBACKS?!?"
Let's be honest, you wished you could get away with being as dramatic as Sharpay Evans growing up. It is so funny to watch! I mean maybe it's not the best way to actually live your life, but you know she represents your internal monologue when things don't go your way. Still, she's a lot more than her attitude. Like I said, I idolized Sharpay (maybe a little much) growing up, and hey it took me a while to grow out of my attitude problems, but once they were gone I was left with many other important life lessons.
2. No, really... Have you seen her on stage? Drama. Queen.
"I told you not to do the jazz squares..."
Everyone preferred Troy and Gabriella's performances when we were little, but not me. Troy and Gabriella can sing, but they don't have the same stage presence. They're missing the "it factor." Little 8 year old me wanted to perform exactly like Sharpay from the very first note of "What I've Been Looking For."
3. She is the definition of dedication.
"You are so dedicated. Just like me!"
Sharpay can teach us all a valuable lesson about finding what we're good at and sticking to it. Theatre is just about all she cares about, and that's why she's the best. Her entire life has to revolve around her dream, but that's how she plans on reaching it.
4. She's not afraid to go after what she wants.
"I want it all!"
Sharpay is one of Disney's most ambitious characters. She will do anything to get her spotlight (I mean she can go a little far, but... ) More importantly, she didn't just dream about, Broadway, when she was done with school, she went to for it, and her dreams came true. She taught kids everywhere with huge dreams to not be afraid to try.
5. Her level of obsession with pink is something to be admired.
"Does this look like a good outfit for changing history?"
Need I say more? Everything of Sharpay's from her clothes to her double lockers to her convertible and golf cart is pink. Pink is her signature. But besides being a perfect color, let's talk about how important her obsession is. Female empowerment is under-represented, but girly-girl empowerment is even more under-represented. Sharpay wears pink every single day and she is still the alpha. She is right up there with Elle Woods in teaching girls who are more stereotypically feminine that it does not mean they are weak.
6. She doesn't need sports.
"We have to save our show from people who don't know the difference between a Tony Award and Tony Hawk."
This goes back to my last point. Sharpay made me feel like I wasn't weaker for hating sports, which is super important, but this is even more than that. High School Musical was also was a huge milestone for education in the arts. East High is a place where basketball gets all the money and attention, but here's Sharpay still proud to be in the drama club.
7. She's tiny and proud.
(Even if the movie industry isn't)
"Evaporate tall person!"
Oh whoops did I write the same quote from the gif? Maybe it's because Sharpay's height is only mentioned once... Ashley Tisdale is actually very short. Of course, the production teams put her in heels and used special camera angles the entire movie series to avoid showing it, because Lord forbid short people look short on screen, but they did gave Sharpay the single most relatable line for short girls everywhere.
8. Actually she's just really confident in general...
Self-confidence is one of the biggest problems in teen girls today, even often reaching the point of mental illness. Girls need as many confident role models as possible to teach them that it's OK to love themselves. Never for a moment does Sharpay doubt herself, something I wish for every teenage girl out there!
9. And hey let's not forget she's a dog lover.
"Me and my Boi, my Boi and me."
You're lying if you say Boi wasn't one of your favorite part's of Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure (If you watched it... I don't blame you if not. That title...) Her love for Boi is right up there with her love for pink and performing, and who can blame her?
10. I mean, she's just...
(I mean, I was always so jealous of her car that this had to be somewhere in the article...)
Happy 10 years, High School Musical! Let's all be more like Sharpay Evans.
