It’s been over a decade since the first High School Musical movie first premiered on the Disney Channel. Though the stars have kept in touch over the years, it hasn’t stopped our favorite Wildcats from growing up. After graduating from East High way back in the day, the cast has gone on to get married, have kids and star in some incredible new projects — and they’ve done it all together. OK, not together exactly. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens haven’t had the romantic reunion we’ll never give up hoping for, but they have both talked about how important their relationship was to both of them.
“So grateful I came across this picture,” Zac 32, captioned a photo of him and his ex with costars Corbin Bleu and Ashley Tisdale in 2016. “With the O.G. crew during one of the most cherished and exciting times of my life,” he continued. “Love you guys forever.”
In 2019, Vanessa, 30, was even more candid. “I could not have been more grateful to have that relationship at the time,” she said on the “Awards Chatter” podcast in April. “I had someone to lean on. … I think because I was so young, having that relationship stabilized me.”
Over the years, she’s also leaned on her relationship with IRL BFF Ashley. In 2014, the brunette beauty was a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding, and in 2019, she helped the blonde celebrate her birthday. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LOVE @ashleytisdale,” she wrote in July. “We’ve done so much life together. Can’t imagine it any other way. So excited to see what this year brings you, love. You deserve the world. Love yooou.”
In 2017, the duo even recorded the Gabriella and Sharpay duet that HSM never gave us. “We’re really excited to do this because this is actually our first duet together,” Ashley said in a video uploaded to her YouTube Channel. “We did not have a song in High School Musical, just the two of us. We always wanted one.” Together, the two tackled Elle King‘s hit “Ex’s and Oh’s,” and they made the perfect pair. “I love being able to sing with you,” Vanessa told her BFF.
To see where all the stars are now, check out the gallery below.