Monique Coleman

Monique: I love the idea that somebody is going to compare me to my character or think that I am like my character when they see me. I feel like that is a role that I am willing to fulfill. I think it is important for girls to see movies where it is not all just about 'the boy' or it's simply being about 'the relationship' or 'Am I pretty enough?' or 'Am I cute enough?'. Here [the focus] is something that has to do with 'Am I talented enough?' or 'Am I smart enough?'. I love that. It is a big responsibility but it's exciting

Monique: (About the song, Gotta Go My Own Way from High School Musical 2) It has so much heart and soul, and I feel like it takes the story to the next level, and I just think she (Vanessa Hudgens) sings it so beautifully.

Monique: Dancing on Dancing With The Stars really broadened my fan base. I jumped off the stage backwards one week, and so many women come up to me now and say, 'You're so brave. I can't believe you put yourself out there like that'. If that inspires some girl out there, then great, because boys aren't the only ones who get to have fun. We get to have fun too.

[about filming HSM 2] Monique: I was thrilled to be back. We really didn't expect this to ever happen to us.

Monique: I'm good in the kitchen. I can cook seafood, collard greens, black-eyed peas.

Monique: I have a gajillion headbands - yellows, pinks, reds, blues. I'm obsessed.

Monique: I was babysitting the night High School Musical premiered last year. I watched with the kids and we sang along to the lyrics. I was making $12 an hour.

Monique: I pose and make diva faces in front of the mirror. When I was little, if I was crying, I would go see what I looked like. It helped me get over what I was upset about.

Monique: I think everyone was kind of skeptical, because Disney Channel puts out a lot of movies and none of them have been as successful as High School Musical. It was a life-changing experience.

Monique: My character [Taylor McKessie] is a little bit brighter in the math and science department than I am... okay, a lot.

Monique: When I get recognized, every time feels like the first time.

Monique: High School Musical is definitely the best thing that's happened to my career and I walked away with great friends from it.

Latoya West: (about Monique on Dancing With The Stars) She can dance. She's confident without being cocky, and the girl works hard!

Monique: As an African American actress, there are people who have been staples in my life that opened a door that I can walk through. I hope that I can have that impact.

TL: What I really love about High School Musical is that it is bring parents and kids together to watch it. Monique: It has such a powerful and positive message, and I think that's something that we really need right now in terms of television for kids, teenagers and families. It really says something about high school and getting away from the cliques -- getting away from what's "normal" and moving to a place where we believe we can do anything.

TL: What's great about "High School Musical" is that it's taken on a life of its own since it first aired. We're talking No. 1 album on Billboard and hit singles … are you surprised by the success of the project? Monique: There really isn't a weak link in this cast and I feel honored to have done it. I knew we were doing something exciting and with (director/choreographer) Kenny Ortega, you can't really go wrong.

TL: I can't help but think you're not just at Disney World to make appearance, but to ride Expedition Everest as well. Your impressions of the ride? Monique: I was the most scared of the group on the ride! But I would do it again and again and again.