Film Theory: Disney LIED to You! (High School Musical)

Disney's High School Musical seemed pretty straight forward. Most people assume that the mean rich girl Sharpay is the villain. But what if I told you that isn’t the case? Could there be someone else better suited for that title? Someone more spoiled, undeserving, and ungrateful? Scramble to your seats theorists! Class is now in session!

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Twitter: @MatPatGT

[snvsr]

Just wanna point out something:
When I was in theater, we also did a production of High School Musical. Literally one of the first things that my drama teacher said was that you could be the best singer in the world, but if you were timid and meek, you WOULD NOT get the lead role. Confidence had first priority. So the fact that Gabriella got the lead role for the play when she got stage fright at the audition is absolutely BONKERS to me.

[kamrynm]

I also hate the fact that Ryan and Sharpay are so experienced and they probably worked their behinds off 24/7 to get the parts, only to lose to two beginners who literally have no reason to be the leads of the play

[lissaiceblade]

Straight up, in theater if you're not fully committed, you can forget about even getting a part. Troy missing the 1st act thinking he can show up for the 2nd? He's not getting on stage at all.

[allysonruiz]

Lets not forget that Sharpay LEARNED ANOTHER LANGUAGE FOR HER AUDITION SONG. Now THAT is effort.

[clarelim]

In theatre, if you're not on time, not committed, and not serious overall about the production, you can forget about getting a supporting role, let alone the main role. As a theatre kid, Troy infuriates me.

[davidkilamon]

And why is Troy the valedictorian when he clearly doesn’t have the grades for it? If I was the hardworking kid with straight A’s I would feel cheated.

[michaelcallaway]

Sharpay was the confident fashionista and drama club outcast that everyone at the school pretended to dislike but secretly admired and envied… she was always sweet at heart and never a true mean girl.

[Dovexis]

Honestly it’s good that Troy doesn’t go with Sharpay. She is so hard working and kind that Troy doesn’t deserve.

[PuppetOnions]

And just because someone is protagonist doesn’t make them the hero, a protagonist is the main character and the story usually centers around them. Most might see Sharpay as the Antagonist, a character who is against the main character and not necessarily evil. But Sharpay isn’t really an Antagonist, she try’s to HELP the main character

[beaniiebrian]

Funny thing here is that Zac Efron said in an interview that he HATED Troy as a character and would punch him immediately in the face if given the chance.

[notcharmander]

Well isn’t this just the most satisfying thing ever seeing Sharpay getting all the respect and Troy getting dragged in the dirt.

[Kerberlos]

Imagine an alternate reality where Matpat starred in high school musical and Zac Efron is doing the theory channels.

[hiimahuman]

This theory was so satisfying. So may people assume just because a girl is rich, popular and wears makeup, she has to be the biggest jerk in the world. And just because the main protagonist gets the boy, saves a cat and is "naturally pretty", she has to be a saint. Thank you for proving that things aren't that black and white.

[brendonian]

What I always hated is how Troy breaks EVERY PROMISE HE MAKES in High School Musical 2 and has the NERVE to sing a song about how trustworthy he is

[yeseniabracamontes]

Forgetting that Troy bullied the freshman in the third movie! He took his clothes and exposed him to the theater. Also, Troy was the reason the guy decided to sing with sharpay, ruining the show. Cause he believed sharpay liked him cause Troy said. Then Sharpay might have lost the scholarship to julliard cause her show was ruined. Troy May not have been the villain but was a really mean person to the only person who looked up to him.

[Artaxian_Debacle]

Troy is probably the most short sighted person and naive character I’ve ever seen. In addition, the “good guys” are toxic af, Sharpay is actually a good person with something called honor yes I said it Sharpay is the most honorable and morally sound person in the series.

[JaneDoe-tcto]

There is no way two extremely experienced and talented actors who clearly have a standing relationship with the director, would get passed up for two COMPLETE noobs, one of whom has extreme stage fright

[kianaeatingpizzatoast]

Sharpay isn’t perfect, she’s a little bit of a diva but she has redeeming quality’s, she has character flaws but compared to literally every other character she probably has the best morals.

[cludy]

Tbh Sharpay's movie really let us see how hardworking she really is and changes how you see her in the high school musical films when you rewatch. Also now I kinda wish Troy ended up not being able to go to any college and having no friends

[CEAsfg]

Poor Sharpay was villainized when she was just devoted to the arts and still did nice things for Troy and Gabriella. She was only shocked that Troy and Gabriella got the leads when they were late to auditions (Twice!) and have no experience in the arts and put no effort into their performances. Sharpay was betrayed by her own brother too, but she still kept strong and decided to help her high school’s theatre program. Troy and Gabriella got whatever they wanted even when they said and did bad things because they’re the main characters. Sharpay deserves justice.