From Sharpay to Separate Ways? Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens' Friendship Timeline
Ashley Tisdale French and Vanessa Hudgens were once very close friends but appear to have grown apart over the years.
French and Hudgens are most recognized for their roles in the High School Musical series as Sharpay Evans and Gabriella Montez, respectively, but their friendship began earlier when they collaborated on a different project.
“We actually collaborated together a year prior in a Sears advertisement, and from that day forward we were incredibly close,” French exclusively told Us Weekly in 2019. “So people don’t really — I think some people don’t know that, but they believe it was that film that brought us together and it really wasn’t.”
Their friendship remained strong for a decade as Hudgens served as a bridesmaid in Ashley’s wedding to her husband, Christopher French. However, things seemed to shift when Ashley was absent from Hudgens’ 2023 wedding to Cole Tucker. Speculation arose that the pair had experienced a friendship rift, with Ashley later mentioning that the two were occupied with their individual lives.
Continue scrolling for a detailed timeline of Ashley and Hudgens’ history:
2005
Ashley Tisdale French and Vanessa Hudgens established a quick friendship after working together on a commercial for Sears.
2006
Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale French were cast in High School Musical where they portrayed rivals Gabriella and Sharpay, respectively.
2014
When Ashley Tisdale French married Christopher French, Vanessa Hudgens was one of her bridesmaids.
2017
Vanessa Hudgens expressed how delighted she was to have a friend like Ashley Tisdale French.
“I’m a loyal person. She’s one of those girlfriends who will be my friend forever,” Hudgens said in an interview with Women’s Health.
2019
Ashley Tisdale French shared insights about her bond with Vanessa Hudgens.
“We just have a connection and she’s so wonderful and one of my closest friends,” she exclusively told Us. “What I admire about her is that she’s so talented, and I think what we share is that we’re genuinely down-to-earth people and I think that’s important, especially with what we do, is to remain grounded.”
2020
Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler ended their nine-year relationship. In addition to being close to Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale French has been longtime friends with Butler.
2021
Ashley Tisdale French welcomed her and Christopher French’s first child, daughter Juniper, in March 2021. Two months later, Ashley introduced her daughter to “Aunt Nessa.”
“Literally Jupiter opened her arms, like, ‘Hold me,’ the moment she met Ness. It warmed my heart,” the actress captioned a photo of Vanessa holding Juniper.
2022
The last time Ashley Tisdale French and Vanessa Hudgens were seen together publicly was at friend Sarah Hyland’s wedding to Wells Adams.
2023
Ashley Tisdale French was not present at Vanessa Hudgens’s wedding to Cole Tucker.
2024
After sparking rumors of a possible disagreement, Ashley Tisdale French addressed the speculation during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.
“I haven’t seen her in a long time,” Ashley said of Vanessa Hudgens. “I think we’re just — obviously, she’s working, I’m working. I have a daughter, so she’s a full-time job.”
