Isabel Veloso died on Jan. 10 after a four-year battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The “High School Musical” cast is making everyone feel old as they celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary.
That’s right. While TikTok is turning back the clocks to 2016, others are taking nostalgia back 10 years further to Jan. 20, 2006, when a certain musical that defined an entire generation aired for the first time.
And many of the film’s stars are leading the charge.
“I cannot believe HSM turns 20 today,” Vanessa Hudgens, who plays Gabriella Montez in the film, wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to everyone who’s been there since day 1. We’ll always be in this together.”
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“Love You V,” Corbin Blue, who played Chad Danforth, wrote in a comment.
“Was an honor sharing the studio and stage with you. What a ride,” Drew Seeley, who was the singing voice behind Zac Efron’s character, Troy Bolton, added in a comment of his own.
Ashley Tisdale French, who played Sharpay Evans, described the movie as “iconic.”
“20 years ago we had no idea what this would turn into. I’m so grateful for what this movie has given me, and for the fans who made it what it is,” she wrote on Instagram.
“To be part of something this iconic, that still has new fans discovering it today, is truly wild. It keeps growing in ways I never imagined,” she added. “And let me just say… we’re still looking fabulous!”
Director and choreographer Kenny Ortega spoke highly of the film in the comment section.
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“Working with you Ashley was one of my very favorite director, actor experiences. You brought so much to the party everyday! Your enthusiasm, energy and talent are incomparable!” he wrote.
“Happy 20th to you and Sharpay,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lucas Grabeel — who played Sharpay’s twin brother, Ryan Evans — posted a video of him dancing in “High School Musical” themed socks with his character’s name on it.
‘High School Musical’ director knew it was going to be a hit
Ortega, who directed and choreographed the entire trilogy, knew the film’s potential from the start.
During a Jan. 14 appearance on “Good Morning America,” Ortega — who was joined by actress Monique Coleman — opened up about the moment he realized they were onto something with the film.
“There was a moment. We were shooting the finale of ‘We’re all In This Together,’” he said of one of the most memorable “High School Musical” songs.
“We were in the gymnasium. We had the cast. We had the cheerleaders, dancers, band, the crowd, cameras, lights. And I called playpack and the music blared through the speakers,” he recalled.
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“I pulled away from my monitors and looked into the room and it just spoke to me,” he added. “And I realized that we had accomplished something, at that moment, that was powerful and important.”
In an interview with People, published Jan. 20, Efron said he was shocked at the show’s legacy.
"We were having fun, learning as we went, and honestly just enjoying every moment together,” he said.
“I never could’ve imagined it would still mean so much to people 20 years later, or that a whole new generation would connect with it, and I’m grateful for that," he added.
‘High School Musical’ helped launch a lot of acting careers
Blue, who was just 15 when the film came out, experienced what he described as “overnight success.”
“Being launched into that kind of whirlwind before your frontal lobe is even fully formed is fraught with pitfalls to navigate,” he told People of the show’s overwhelming success.
But he credited the film for opening the door to his Broadway career and other endeavors.
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"It’s extraordinary how deep of a path was carved ahead of me at 15 years old from working on ‘High School Musical,’" he added.
Coleman, who played Taylor McKessie in the film, shared a similar sentiment.
“There was no way to prepare us for what was really happening. We kind of woke up inside of it,” she told People.
Aside from the success, the film also created friendships that have stood the test of time.
“Corbin and I are very close. We hang out all the time, and he's my brother forever,” Grabeel said in an interview with Buzzfeed, published Jan. 20.
“I chat with Monique and Vanessa every now and then. Ashley FaceTimed me a few months ago because her daughter wanted to meet ‘the real Ryan,’ which was really cute,” he added.
For those who want to celebrate High School Musical’s 20th Anniversary, Disney+ has you covered.
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Fans can stream the entire trilogy — including “Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure” and all episodes of the musical series — on a dedicated Disney+ channel from Jan. 7 through March 4.
