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Kylie Cantrall has made her way into the cast of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” This season, which premieres on Wednesday on Disney+, offers Cantrall the opportunity to add her unique touch to the classic songs from the series. She portrays Dani, a TikTok star who is cast in the fictitious “High School Musical 4.”
“I believe she has a spicy personality,” Cantrall expressed about her character in an interview with UPI. “Who doesn’t love a mean girl?” Cantrall drew inspiration from Ashley Tisdale’s character Sharpay in “High School Musical” and Regina George from the film “Mean Girls” for her role.
Dani makes her debut in the series by performing the song “High School Musical” at an assembly. Originally sung by Vanessa Hudgens, Tisdale, Lucas Gabreel, Corbin Bleu, and Monique Coleman in “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” Cantrall’s rendition is a stripped-down acoustic version that allows her to reinvent the song in a new and exciting way.
In upcoming episodes, Cantrall will also be singing other classic songs from “High School Musical,” offering the audience a nostalgic trip alongside modern renditions. Additionally, she faced the challenge of complex dance choreography in the musical numbers, which was a perfect opportunity to showcase her love for dancing.
This new season of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” not only introduces new characters like Dani, portrayed by Cantrall, and Matthew Sato, but it also offers fans a glimpse of what a “High School Musical 4” movie might have been. Cantrall expressed her excitement about the meta nature of the series, allowing viewers to imagine the possibilities.
Cantrall’s journey in the entertainment industry began when she landed the title role on the Disney sitcom “Gabby Duran & the Unsittables,” leading her to leave public school in seventh grade. Although she missed the experience of attending public high school, her focus remains on pursuing her passion and continuing to work in the industry.
In addition to acting, Cantrall also releases original music. She has plans to release two singles in August and September, followed by an EP. Her music is described as fun, confident, and empowering, perfect for dancing and embracing girl power.
Cantrall’s talent as a singer developed at a young age, influenced by artists like Brandy, Mariah Carey, and Beyonce. She learned to sing by listening to their performances and applying their techniques to her own voice.
Playing a TikTok star in the series was a natural fit for Cantrall, as she believes that in today’s generation, everyone has the potential to become a TikTok star. The widespread use of TikTok and the experiences of going viral have become common among teenagers.
