Zac Efron Fans Are Livid About That High School Musical Reunion Performance
A few fans on Twitter weren’t feeling so happy after Zac Efron’s appearance in the mini High School Musical reunion for the recent Disney Family Singalong.
Here’s what went down: On April 16, ABC hosted a singalong of a bunch of Disney classics performed by the likes of Ariana Grande, Darren Criss, and Queen Beyoncé herself. But for some reason, Efron did not take part in the highly-anticipated performance of “We’re All in This Together” by the original High School Musical cast. Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Vanessa Hudgens, Monique Coleman, and Corbin Bleu joined director Kenny Ortega on the video call, but Efron simply introduced the performance before peacing out.
“It’s my greatest pleasure to introduce a musical performance by some of my oldest friends,” he said, never to be heard from again.
Fans on Twitter were not impressed. “WHERE!! IS!! ZAC!! EFRON!!” one user wrote. “my childhood I am crying.”
Still, at least some were thrilled to welcome Joshua Bassett from High School Musical: the Musical: the Series on Disney+ into the fold, since he ended up performing Troy Bolton’s parts instead of Efron.
At least one user took the opportunity to remind everyone that actor Drew Seeley was the actual voice behind Troy Bolton for the songs of High School Musical’s first movie, including the iconic “Start of Something New” and “Breaking Free.” In fact, he even toured as Troy for the High School Musical: The Concert tour. True story.
HSM director Kenny Ortega told Deadline that Efron was genuinely excited to join the reunion and had a very good reason for skipping the singing bit. “We couldn’t reach Zac until late but when we did, he immediately jumped in, of course,” Ortega said. “Everyone we reached out to was quick—and you’ll see it in their spirit and the way they come together from their homes. They recognize this is an opportunity to strengthen spirits for those joining us for the broadcast.” It seems like Efron just didn’t have enough rehearsal time!
As Troy Bolton would say…