Monique Coleman

Monique Coleman was one of countless young people in Hollywood working as a largely unrecognized actress prior to landing the role of academic whiz-kid Taylor McKessie in the teen TV phenomenon "High School Musical" (Disney Channel, 2006). While it made instant teen idols of its stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, it also launched a thriving career for the young Coleman. A respectable turn on the dance floor as a celebrity contestant in 2007 on "Dancing With the Stars" (ABC, 2005- ) coincided with a recurring role on the popular kids' sitcom "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" (Disney Channel, 2005-08). Coleman and the rest of the East High Wildcats returned for the sequels "High School Musical 2" (Disney Channel, 2007) and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (2008), both of which smashed existing television and box office records, respectively. Continuing to appearing on such popular shows as "Bones" (Fox, 2005- ) and being named a Youth Ambassador by the United Nations in 2010, Coleman looked forward to a plethora of career options in entertainment and beyond.