Before High School Musical, I wanted to be a nitty-gritty actress. And High School Musical came along, and, I was like, "Oh my God, fun!" But the more we did it, the more prude I became.... When I am around kids and they come up to me, of course I am going to act a certain way, but at the end of the day, I'm doing this for myself. I'm going to be doing movies kids can't watch.

Being cool is being your own self, not doing something that someone else is telling you to do.

I'm not the same girl I was five years ago. Hopefully, with the choices I'm making people will start to see that I'm not just little Gabriella.

I just want to do everything. As broad as that seems, it's kind of the plan. There are so many different genres out there to do, so many different characters to play, so many different amazing actors and directors to work with. I'm just following my gut, and if it's speaking to me, then I'm doing it.

I want to try doing sportier things, kite surfing and paddle surfing - I think it would give me that extra confidence.

I love being in the studio and singing on stage and performing. It's so much fun. I love every second of it - and I love the way you get to show who you are. I love the way fans are really passionate around the world, so I adore performing and hearing people sing along in different countries.

The sweetest thing a guy said is that I look pretty with or without makeup.