NEW YORK (AP) - Vanessa Hudgens, who was home schooled, says starring in the "High School Musical" movies allowed her to live the rites of passage she missed.

Says Hudgens, "I got to experience my prom, I got to wear a cap and gown for the very first time, graduate with people who I really love, the cast. So it's been a lot of fun."

Hudgens co-stars in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" with Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale.

As for Efron's real-life high school experience, the heartthrob actor says: "I got really good grades. I'm not going to lie."

Tisdale, who did not belong to any clique and mingled with everyone, says she became friends with the popular kids before realizing "they are not that cool."

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