Ashley Tisdale Weighs In on Viral Meme Comparing Her Iconic High School Musical Character to Taylor Swift

Ashley Tisdale, the actress who brought the unforgettable Sharpay Evans to life in the High School Musical franchise, has shared her thoughts on a viral meme that compares her iconic character to global superstar Taylor Swift. The meme, which gained traction during the Super Bowl earlier this month, highlights a moment of disappointment from both Tisdale’s character and Swift, drawing parallels between their larger-than-life personas. Tisdale, in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, expressed her appreciation for the comparison, calling Swift an "icon" and acknowledging the enduring cultural impact of her own character. She reposted the meme on her Instagram Story, captioning it, "Icons being icons," further cementing the fun and lighthearted nature of the comparison.

The meme in question juxtaposes a viral image of Swift looking visibly disappointed while watching her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, play in the Super Bowl (his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, lost the game 40-22) with a scene from the first High School Musical movie. In that scene, Sharpay Evans, Tisdale’s character, sings, "This is not what I want. This is not what I planned," capturing her signature dramatic flair. The side-by-side comparison resonated with fans, who flooded social media with the meme, celebrating the shared moment of relatability between two powerful female figures.

The Lasting Legacy of Sharpay Evans

Tisdale, who played the theatrical and ambitious Sharpay Evans in all three High School Musical films and the spinoff Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, reflected on the cultural significance of her character. She expressed awe at how Sharpay continues to be a cultural touchstone over a decade after the franchise’s peak. "It’s pretty incredible to play a character where … people are still seeing images of people now in the present day and thinking of her," she said. "It’s not Gabrielle they’re posting, it’s not Troy — it’s Sharpay. She’s an icon. It’s unreal. It’s so amazing."

Sharpay Evans, known for her over-the-top personality, theatrical flair, and memorable one-liners, has undeniably left an indelible mark on pop culture. Her impact is evident in the way fans continue to draw parallels between her and other iconic figures, like Taylor Swift, proving that Tisdale’s portrayal of the character has stood the test of time. For Tisdale, this legacy is a testament to the timeless appeal of High School Musical and the role she played in shaping the franchise.

Family First: Tisdale’s Thoughts on Her Children Entering the Entertainment Industry

While Tisdale hasBuilt a successful career in Hollywood, she has mixed feelings about her own children following in her footsteps. The actress, who shares two daughters, Jupiter, 3, and Emerson, 5 months, with her husband, Christopher French, revealed that she would hesitate to let her kids enter the entertainment industry. "I personally wouldn’t have them go into the business," she said. "Obviously, when they’re older and if they want to decide to do something, for sure, I would support them. But I come from a different place where I’ve been in the business since I was 3 and [have] been working since I was 3. For me, the most important thing for my kids is for them to have a real childhood. … Working [as a kid], it’s not an easy thing to do. The biggest thing is for them to just have a normal life, and if they wanna do it when they’re older and can handle that, then I would support them."

Tisdale’s reflections on her own childhood in the spotlight highlight her prioritization of her children’s well-being and the importance of giving them a "normal" upbringing. Her honesty about the challenges of growing up in the entertainment industry offers a glimpse into the sacrifices and pressures that come with early fame, and her desire to protect her children from those experiences underscores her commitment to being a nurturing and present parent.

Finding Joy and Balance in Motherhood

Tisdale, who welcomed her second daughter, Emerson, in September, has been navigating the ups and downs of motherhood with renewed perspective and gratitude. She shared that her postpartum experience with Emerson has been significantly better than with her first child, Jupiter, thanks in part to the support of her husband and advancements in products like Willow’s wearable breast pumps, which have made breastfeeding easier and more manageable. "I