How Vanessa Hudgens Leaned on HSM for The Masked Singer

Originally appeared on E! Online

For Vanessa Hudgens, being on The Masked Singer wasn't really the start of something new.

After all, Vanessa is a seasoned pro when it comes to performing—dating back to her High School Musical days and beyond.

"I grew up doing musical theater," the 35-year-old told E! News' Francesca Amiker in an exclusive interview. "I've been performing since I was literally like 4 years old and singing professionally since I was like 7, so I've been doing it almost my entire life. All those hours don't go and disappear. I got to bring that with me into the work I constantly do. And this was a really beautiful and fun place to be able to share that."

So while Vanessa was taking to the stage long before she stepped into her role as Gabriella Montez, she conceded that every experience on a film set helps prepare her for the next one.

"I feel like everything gives you better understanding and knowledge to then move forward through space with a bit more wisdom," Vanessa, who costars in the upcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die film alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, added. "It's like the 10,000-hour rule, you just keep going and it amounts to something."

Vanessa Hudgens and Cole Tucker: Romance Rewind

And in this case, those 10,000 hours amounted to a winning turn as Goldfish on season 11 of The Masked Singer, ultimately beating out 14 other mystery celebrity contestants.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Michael Becker / FOX. ©2024 FOX Media LLC.

During the show's May 22 finale, Vanessa—who is currently expecting her first child with husband Cole Tucker—shared what her time on the competition series had meant to her.

"I have loved being able to swim into new territories as the golden girl on this stage," she admitted. "As a little girl I was never really great at expressing myself. It's not really something I grew up around. But lately, I have been on a journey of self-discovery and being here I've been able to express myself so freely."

The Princess Switch actress continued, "I come from a working-class family that has no connection to Hollywood whatsoever, so there's no reason I should have made it. But I'm proof that with enough love, hard work and dedication, you can truly do anything."

Ultimately only judges Rita Ora and Jenny McCarthy correctly guessed Vanessa to be the woman in the aquatic mask, while Robin Thicke previously guessed her to be Hilary Duff and Ken Jeong thought she was Nicole Scherzinger.

Yet for Vanessa, her time on the show did make some things complicated in her personal life. As she joked onstage, "I've just been so excited to take this mask off and stare into Rita's eyes and be like, ‘Girl, this is why I couldn't hang out with you.'"

To see the rest of the celebrities the High School Musical alum beat out on The Masked Singer, keep reading.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

The Book was revealed as comedian Kevin Hart , who only competed on the premiere episode March 6 to prank pal Nick Cannon .

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Chrisley Knows Best star Savannah Chrisley was the first actual contestant sent home during the second week.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Restaurateur Joe Bastianich said "ciao" to the competition after being revealed as Spaghetti and Meatballs.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

TV host Billy Bush entered the competition as a wild card during week four but was abruptly eliminated.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Sisqo , singer of the 2000 mega-hit "Thong Song," was unmasked as Lizard during week five.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

The Bachelor alum Colton Underwood was behind the Lovebird costume and was sent home during Transformers week.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Introduced as a wild card contestant during week six, retired football star DeMarcus Ware was eliminated and unmasked as Koala.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Music icon Charlie Wilson was behind the Ugly Sweater mask and was sent home during week seven's double elimination.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

The Office alum Kate Flannery was unmasked as Starfish during week seven's double elimination.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

As Miss Cleocatra, Sister Act star Jenifer Lewis made a triumphant return to the stage nearly two years after her harrowing accident, in which she fell 10 feet from a balcony while on a trip to the Serengeti in Africa.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Just one week after joining the show as the season's final wild card contestant, former child star Corey Feldman was unmasked as Seal.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

In a jaw-dropping double elimination, American Idol alums Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard were unearthed as the duo behind Beets.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

This is Chrissy Metz ! The This Is Us star was unmasked as Poodle Moth during the quarterfinals.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Clock was revealed to be legendary singer Thelma Houston .

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Hart of Dixie and Friday Night Lights alum Scott Porter nearly took home the title, but ultimately came in second place during the May 22 season 11 finale.

how vanessa hudgens leaned on hsm for the masked singer

Former High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens won season 11 as Goldfish!

We value your thoughts! Click here to share your feedback and help us improve!

OTHER NEWS

5 hrs ago

PAOCC preparing nonbailable cases vs Guo, others

5 hrs ago

Ang INK explores 'Worlds Within Worlds'

5 hrs ago

MMDA lifts number coding for June 17

5 hrs ago

Charlie Dizon grateful for God’s timing a week after wedding to Carlo Aquino

5 hrs ago

Fuel prices may increase by up to P2 this week

5 hrs ago

Kathryn Bernardo, Marian Rivera, among nominees in 7th Eddys

5 hrs ago

German Embassy asks PH to review freezing of accounts of a Leyte NGO

5 hrs ago

Magsayo wins via UD vs Mexican fighter

5 hrs ago

Dembélé says he performs better at PSG because of Luis Enrique and physios

5 hrs ago

Zelensky seeks internationally agreed peace plan to present to Russia

6 hrs ago

Southwest Monsoon to bring rain showers over parts of Luzon, Visayas

6 hrs ago

This Electric Spin Scrubber Is So Powerful, It Removed Grout Stains My Professional Cleaners Couldn’t

6 hrs ago

Alex Cora fires shot at Red Sox fans but for good reason

6 hrs ago

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy Is Fine With the Long Wait for The Group's New Album, But Isn't So Sure His Dream Is Still to Write With Morrissey

6 hrs ago

Letitia James Scores New $50m Win

6 hrs ago

2024 U.S. Open tee times, pairings: Complete schedule on TV, groups for Round 4 on Sunday at Pinehurst

6 hrs ago

Magsayo, Mexican foe makes weight for WBA regional title duel in Las Vegas

6 hrs ago

Blu Boys stay alive in World Cup

7 hrs ago

Philippines asks United Nations to extend boundary in West Philippine Sea

7 hrs ago

Manila Water maintains 100% score in wastewater quality compliance

7 hrs ago

Binay: Specify issues vs Taguig Senate building

7 hrs ago

Ildefonso earns slot to Jones Cup

7 hrs ago

'I wanted seven kids but instead I became a nun'

7 hrs ago

DOTr tries to justify hike in Naia charges

7 hrs ago

My imperfectly perfect dad

7 hrs ago

It's been 53 years since Meralco celebrated a championship

7 hrs ago

P68M in crops, fisheries ruined by Mt. Kanlaon eruption

7 hrs ago

2024 U.S. Open Sunday final round tee times, pairings and how to watch

7 hrs ago

NBC's Brad Faxon shared Rory McIlroy's 'eureka moment' on Saturday and McIlroy was none too happy

7 hrs ago

U.S. Open 2024: Pinehurst No. 2 is an ideal test of golf, or a total crapshoot. A debate

7 hrs ago

ABS-CBN talents share how their strict dads are also softies

7 hrs ago

Enchanted Kingdom showcases enchanting Flores de Laguna

7 hrs ago

SEC seat is next for lawyer who aided Marcos in poll protest

7 hrs ago

Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers odds, picks and predictions

7 hrs ago

Kanlaon eruption victims get P17.5 million aid

7 hrs ago

P2 fuel price increase expected next week

7 hrs ago

PVL draft quality takes hit with Belen, Solomon out but quantity is promising

7 hrs ago

Jenny Slate Uses Comedy as a 'Human Calling Card' in 'Seasoned Professional'

7 hrs ago

Your pictures on the theme of 'on top of the world'

7 hrs ago

If Google is doubling down on risky AI features, experts say it needs to be clear about what can go wrong