From basketball to singing and dancing, East High definitely began the "Start of Something New" with a few certain someones shaking things up. First debuting in 2006, Disney Channel’s “High School Musical” was a phenomenon as it reached out to a whole generation. Fast-forward ten years and the impact of it all is surreal as it is still recognized and felt today. From reaching school clubs to community programs, the movie spread the love of the arts as many claim and credit it for spreading specifically the love of musicals to the kids.
Having been the product of such a sensation, the storyline was adapted as playwrights traded in dancing shoes for skates. Successfully having two more movies as well as a character spin-off, “High School Musical” even went on tour and then eventually the big screen for “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”
With the tenth year anniversary, Disney Channel paid tribute to the extent of putting together a class reunion. Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella Montez), Corbin Bleu (Chad Danforth), Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay Evans), Lucas Grabeel (Ryan Evans), and Monique Coleman (Taylor McKenzie) filmed a special to feature on Disney Channel for the occasion. Zac Efron who played Troy Bolton was unfortunately not in attendance due to prior commitments but did film a video for the fans to feature along with the special.
Left to right: Coleman, Corban, Tisdale, Hudgens, Grabreel
From catchy lyrics to energetic moves, the musical embraced individuality as many didn’t "Stick to the Status Quo" sharing that friends can be friends with all different interests. Like a basketball player’s love of baking or the love a brainiac has for hip-hop.
As it is the tenth year and many revisit a part of their childhood, let’s look at a few interesting fun facts.
1. Corbin Bleu didn’t audition as Chad.
When the cast of High School Musical sat down with Scholastic News Online, they were asked about the audition process. It was at that time that Corbin Bleu admitted that he initially audition for the character Ryan first, who was eventually portrayed by pal, Lucas Grabeel.
2. Lucas Grabeel could shake it better.
Bleu continued by stating that he couldn’t shake his hips as well as Grabeel and was thought to be a better fit for Chad. Tisdale, on the other hand, was the last to sign on, “They said I wasn't right for the part, but I was begging, ‘I want to come in.’” And of course, Efron and Hudgens was actually paired together since the very beginning.
3. Zac Efron's voice was not his.
During the first movie, Zac sang some beautiful tunes, or so we thought. The first album actually doesn’t feature Efron’s true vocals at all, let alone the movie. Troy Bolton’s singing was actually performed by fellow actor and musician Drew Seeley, who you may know as Joey Parker from “Another Cinderella Story.” Efron really wanted to do his own singing and even "felt extremely guilty."
4. Drew Seeley did more than sing
Seeley was even a songwriter for the film. Credited as Andrew Seeley, he co-wrote “Getcha Head in the Game” with fellow writers Ray Cham and Greg Cham. He also portrayed Troy Bolton on tour as well.
5. Taylor didn’t sing at all.
Monique Coleman said during an interview that her character did not sing. It wasn’t the lack of being able to—which we found out in the sequels.
6. There is more to Kenny Oretga.
You may actually know more or Oretga’s work than you think. Not only did he work on the HSMs, he also a part in “The Cheetah Girls 2,” “Hocus Pocus,” and the latest Disney Channel movie, “Descendants.”
It’s been ten years since East High’s momentum was first introduced, but even after all this time, the cast and fans can say, "we’re all in this together."
