“I've had many nicknames over the years: V, Nessa, Nessy Poo, Nessy Bear and Van. Only my parents call me Van, though, and I hate it. I get embarrassed.”

American actress and singer

Vanessa Hudgens is an American actress and singer. Born in 1988, she made her feature film debut in Thirteen (2003) and became widely known for playing Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical films from 2006 to 2008. She later released two albums through Hollywood Records, V in 2006 and Identified in 2008. Her work spans both acting and music, with her best-known role coming from a film series that reached a large mainstream audience.