MANILA, Philippines—Troy is cute and popular, Gabriella’s sweet and Taylor’s a braniac. But from the moment she made her high-heeled entrance in the first High School Musical, there was no mistaking that it was devious, designer-clad Sharpay Evans who was the real Queen Bee at East High.

With High School Musical 3: Senior Year due in cinemas next week, who better to give us the inside track on what dirty tricks we can expect from Sharpay, than the actress who plays her, Ashley Tisdale?

We spoke to Ashley (and her adorable little dog Maui) on the set in Salt Lake City, which has been home to all three High School films.

So is Sharpay still trying to steal Troy from Gabriella?

She’s kind of over Troy this time round! Okay, so she’s always gonna have a bit of a crush on him [laughs], but she’s focused on the fact that someone from East High will be awarded a scholarship to a top performing arts college. Of course, she thinks it should be her. She also has a new friend, Tiara, who’s a sophomore and becomes her assistant. Sharpay is very good at bossing her around!

Sharpay wouldn’t be Sharpay without over-the-top song and dance number. Is there anything in HSM3 to compare with “Bop to the Top” in the first film or “Fabulous” in HSM2?

What’s exciting about this, being the first made for cinemas, is that it’s all gotten bigger and better. Sharpay and Ryan have one of the biggest musical numbers. It takes place in the cafeteria and it’s just humongous. There are different styles of dance, I have like five wardrobe changes, and there’s something like 500 extras.

Sharpay behaves like a diva most of the time, but she’s one of the most popular characters. Why is that?

The person you love to hate. When I watch reality TV, I know I’m always interested in the villain and I think kids are interested in someone who’s the opposite of them. Maybe we all know someone a bit like her, too.

What reaction do you get from fans on the street?

I love that kids come up to us and tell us that just for an hour and a half we took them out of what they’re going through in real life and made them happy. That’s just awesome.

Apart from High School Musical, you have had a hit album and you are producing many of your projects. How has your success changed you?

I was 19 when I made the first movie, so I’ve changed and grown. All of us have. But I’m still a really normal person when I’m not working. I like to hang out with family and friends, go to movies, dinner or shopping. I’m kind of boring, I guess! I don’t drink and I don’t smoke and I don’t go to clubs.

Who are your models in your career or personal life?

Definitely my mom! She’s instilled so much confidence in me, which you really need in a business like this where there is so much rejection, and she’s just a great person in every way. For my career, I love Kate Hudson and the work she’s done. But I grew up in the business and learned things on my own, so I want to make my own decisions and make my own path, not follow in anyone else’s footsteps.

At the end of High School Musical 3, Sharpay and the rest of her class are graduating. What was your own graduation like in real life and how do you feel about moving on from East High?

I went to a regular school, everybody wrote in my yearbook, “Mention me when you get an Oscar,” and I graduated in a purple gown instead of the red ones we have in the film. I like the red better! [Laughs] And leaving East High and High School Musical behind? I think there will be a lot of tears. We’ve had so much fun making these movies and we all love each other. We’re a big family. So it will be hard.

Do you have a favorite High School Musical memory you will be taking with you?

Probably doing “We’re All in This Together” in the first film. We had all worked so hard and we wanted to make it perfect and Kenny [director Kenny Ortega] gave us this amazing speech and said, “You know the dance, just dance from the heart.”

And that’s what we did, and this overwhelming feeling came over us. I remember me and Monique [Coleman] crying hysterically in the middle of the dance. You could feel the moment and see it on screen. You feel how much fun we’re having. We’re having a blast!

(Opening across the Philippines on Oct. 24, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.)

ASHLEY TISDALE: FACT FILE
DOB: 21st July 1985

Did you know?
She sang at The White House at age 12

Her secret passion
Horse-riding. “When I was younger I lived right next to a ranch so I would ride every day.”

Her not-so-secret passion
Maui, her teacup poodle

If she wasn’t an actor she’d be...

A writer. “Creative Writing was my favorite class at high school and that’s what I’d pursue in college.”

Did you know?

She was billed as Ashley Michelle Tisdale in some of her early television appearances.

Her on-set nickname

Tis

(“Or Miss Tis when she’s having attitude,” says Monique Coleman)

Her advice for successful dating

“What’s really attractive is just being confident about who you are.”

Something she thinks would surprise her fans

“I know I come off outgoing but I’m actually really shy.”

Did you know?

She was the voice of one of the Blueberry Scouts in “A Bug’s Life.”

Next project

Her second solo album due for release early 2009