‘HSM’ Star Works Hard to Keep It All in Balance

By Adrian Gomez Of the Journal

Stuck in traffic near Los Angeles, Vanessa Hudgens keeps her cool. Hurrying throughout the morning, the 19-year-old has struck a balance to her busy schedule.

"I always try to eat something," she says with a laugh. "There are times that I have to eat in the car, but it’s fine as long as I get to where I’m going on time."

Hudgens is part of the Young Hollywood elite club. For the last couple of years she’s been living daily life in front of the paparazzi cameras while trying to make a living.

"It’s gotten really hard to do things," she says. "I try to live a normal life and strike the balance I need to be happy. So far, I’m doing really well."

Hudgens, who sings, dances and acts, is a triple threat who developed a love for musical theater while in school in Salinas, Calif.

"I really love to do it all," she says. "I’ve always wanted to do more than act. That’s why I keep myself well rounded."

After years of doing a couple movies and some Disney Channel shows, Hudgens got her big break on the mega hit "High School Musical" and its sequel "High School Musical 2."

"We’ve been a family for so long that it always feels very natural when we get together," she says of the cast that is together once again for "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."

In between filming, Hudgens balances her jobs as the spokeswoman for brands like Sketchers and JC Penney. She also has found time to have a successful music career.

"Performing is something that I’ve always dreamed of," she says. "I’ve turned down movie roles to make sure that I continue my music."

Hudgens’ debut CD, "V," was pop music at its finest. The album was a fusion between R&B and pop music. She had a Top-10 hit with "Come Back to Me."

"The first album was done quickly to show my audience that I wanted a singing career," she says. "We worked hard in putting it out. But for the next album, I wanted to show how I’ve grown as a person and as a singer."

"Identified" was released in July, and Hudgens has been working nonstop to support it.

"It’s always fun to perform on stage and see how the fans react," she says. "At times, it can be loud but I want to give the best performance that I can give."

Vanessa Hudgens

With Corbin Bleu

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6

WHERE: Tingley Coliseum, Expo New Mexico

HOW MUCH: $25-$48 through www.ticketmaster. com or call 883-7800

(c) 2008 Albuquerque Journal. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.