By: Jordan Bartlett
The recent High School Musical series on Disney Pus has exposed viewers of a whole new generation to this popular series. It also invites revisiting the original series’ run.
For many years, the infamous character of Sharpay Evans drew scrutiny as the real villain of the High School Musical films. Some people have said that Sharpay, who was played by Ashley Tisdale, was never the villain, despite her coming across as a diva who made everyone feel beneath her. Some have also said that Troy Bolton, played by Zac Efron, was the true villain and that even Gabriella Montez, played by Vanessa Hudgens, was the villain. In an “Insider Global News” article, Michele Theil wrote that Sharpay is just misunderstood. “Above all, Sharpay was never the villain she’s painted to be. She was just a high schooler with a passion for the arts.” (https://www.insider.com/high-school-musical-troy-and-gabriella-were-the-worst-opinion)
While its is true that Sharpay is a hard worker with true passion and drive for what she wants, her methods of trying to get what she wants are not always right. In the first High School Musical film, she tried her absolute best to sabotage Troy and Gabriella’s callback dates, which they couldn’t control. They both got the lead roles in the musical that she and her brother, Ryan Evans (played by Lucas Grabeel), had practiced so long for.
Sharpay has more experience in theater and she was far more determined and qualified for the leading role. Troy and Gabriella had never been in a theater production before, so it’s understandable why Sharpay would be so mad. As someone who’s taken a theater class and has never experienced being in actual production, it would make much more sense for an actor with more experience to get the leading role. Although Sharpay deserved the role more than Gabriella, I wish she didn’t take so many extreme measures to ruin Gabriella’s relationship with Troy. The first movie mostly showed that Sharpay didn’t truly like or care for Troy as much as fans thought. If she truly cared for Troy, she wouldn’t have taken it that far to get him to miss his callback date. Sharpay just cared about what Troy could offer her and how good he would make her look, as he was head of the basketball team.
Sharpay treated everyone around her horribly through her selfish and manipulative ways, but it is impottant to acknowledge her strive, and her character developed throughout all the High School Musical movies. Sharpay had already been in the theater department for most of her school years, and she worked really hard to get to where she needed to be. She always prepared and made sure she had everything she needed whenever there was a new production. Every song that Sharpay sang was performed so incredibly, and her work ethic was always there. “You are the Music in Me” is arguably better than Troy and Gabriella’s version. Sharpay also tried to help Troy’s future by offering him a scholarship for college when his friends weren’t that supportive of it.
Sharpay had her moments where she could only think about herself, but she also had moments where she was kind and even gave up her dreams for the people she loved. In the first movie after Gabriella gets the main role, Sharpay wishes her the best and is grateful for the supporting role that she did get. In the second movie, she supports her brother Ryan, who won the “Star Dazzle” award. In the third movie, she is happy for her brother going to her dream college, regardless of her wanting to go there all of her life.
Ultimately, Sharpay wasn’t perfect, but we should appreciate her character development and her amazing performances throughout the movies.
