Bleu Loves Being in ‘High School’
By GREG HERNANDEZ
Sure, Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens get the lion’s share of attention for the cast of the “High School Musical” franchise. But there’s a 19-year-old kid named Corbin Bleu who I think has the talent to emerge as a major solo star in his own right.
Of all the performers I chatted with at the Video Music Awards on Sunday night, I was probably most impressed with Corbin.
He’s excited about the Oct. 24 release of “High School Musical 3″ because, unlike the first two films in the franchise, which debuted on The Disney Channel, this one will be released theatrically.
“The musical numbers are bigger,” he promised. “You’re going to see some pretty interesting stuff on the silver screen. It’s gonna be cool.”
“What it has done is incredible because it is this generation’s original musical and it’s something that’s really brought back musicals for so many different kids,” Corbin added. “It’s inspired a lot of people to get into singing and dancing. It’s just great to be a part of something that does that.”
No matter how big his star becomes, Corbin seems determined to stay grounded.
“I think the major thing is to always be able to surround yourself with people who you know are going to pull you down and keep you grounded,” he said. “I have a very close family. My family’s always No. 1 for me. You just always have got to know where you came from and know that it can be taken away so you’ve just got to be grateful for what you’ve got and always keep working.”
Corbin has been touring with his own musical act, a change of pace from sharing the spotlight with the high-wattage ensemble from “High School Musical.”
“This tour, I didn’t have to answer to anybody. I built it from scratch, I picked the dancers and the musicians. Every aspect of it was from my head but, of course, I had incredible people surrounding me.” The teen is working on his second solo album that he hopes to have out early next year.
“I’m just trying to find a new sound for myself,” he said. “Every time I’m in the studio, something new happens.”
Star-gazing at the U.S. Open
The U.S. Open tennis tournament typically draws past champions like Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert as spectators.
But it also attracted a lot of showbiz A-listers over the weekend: Charlize Theron and boyfriend Stuart Townsend watched Serena Williams win the women’s title Sunday night along with Will Ferrell, Christie Brinkley, singer Rob Thomas, Glenn Close, Rose Byrne and famously hot-headed model Naomi Campbell.
Meanwhile, Regis Philbin, Paul Simon and Tony Bennett were among the famous faces who watched the men’s final between Roger Federer and Andy Murray, and crooner Harry Connick Jr. sang the national anthem.
Mom, apple pie and … beer
Did you know there was a magazine all about beer called DRAFT? I didn’t until Monday when someone from the mag sent me a Q&A with “American Pie” star Jason Biggs running in the September/October issue.
The questions made me chuckle including this one: What beer would you have with a slice of apple pie?
“That is hilarious!” Jason said. “Well, let’s see, with a slice of apple pie, I’d probably go with a Michelob Amber Ale or a Sam Adams Oktoberfest because I figure that’s the seasonal — October and apples and apple pie. It’s autumnal.”
Well, I guess there’s no need for vanilla ice cream!
(c) 2008 Daily News; Los Angeles, Calif.. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.