Wildcats, can you believe it’s been 20 years since the premiere of High School Musical on Disney Channel? Yes, we aren’t okay either. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to some of our favorite moments from this low-key life-changing film (plus some fun facts we bet you didn’t know)…
Gabriella and Troy’s meet cute
It was definitely the start of something new (pun intended!) when Troy and Gabriella met at a New Year’s Eve party in 2005. Remember when they sang “The Start Of Something New”? Their performance will always bring us next-level nostalgia. Just like the fireworks in the sky, sparks were flying between them—and we are still here for their romance two decades later.
Bop To The Top
There is no better sibling duo than Sharpay and Ryan Evans. Their diva energy, feathers and sparkles are still everything (we very much still want to buy our own version of Sharpay’s signature feathery blue frock). No one knows show biz better than these two!
Stick To The Status Quo
Remember when the cafeteria broke into song (a very normal high school occurrence, obviously)? Martha Cox and Sharpay totally owned this moment. From the tray-slamming drama to the jaw-dropping reveals (who knew Zeke was an aspiring pastry chef), “Stick To the Status Quo” was chaotic in the best way.
When There Was Me and You
No one owned a main character moment better than Gabriella Montez. (What we wouldn’t give to dramatically sing in the empty school hallways!) Remember when Troy said their connection meant nothing? Gabriella’s heartbreaking solo def revealed the sweet and vulnerable side of her character.
Facts about HSM You Probably Didn’t Know…
#1: Some of the main cast members auditioned for other roles in HSM
Did you know that Corbin Bleu was almost Ryan, and Ashley Tisdale and Monique Coleman auditioned to play Gabriella? Crazy, right? High School Musical definitely would not be the same if their roles had been swapped!
#2: Drew Seeley sang Troy’s songs
In the first movie, Drew Seeley from Another Cinderella Story sang Troy Bolton’s tracks. He also got to sing his parts when High School Musical did a concert tour, since Zac Efron was busy filming Hairspray! at the time. But while we’re grateful Drew stepped in, we were v. pleased to hear Zac’s own vocals in HSM 2 and 3.
#3: The original mascot was not a wildcat
Can you imagine another world where East High’s mascot wasn’t a wildcat? Originally, the mascot was going to be a leopard. “What team? Leopards!” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
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Image credits: @disneychannel, @highschoolmusicaldaily, @magicalrewindpod, @glittermagazine, @always.wildcats, @misss2005, @highschoolmusicaldaily
