Vanessa Hudgens has never shied away from the spotlight, and in 2021, she proved once again that her talent extends far beyond the Disney roots that made her a household name.
The High School Musical alum took on a new challenge with Tick, Tick… Boom!—Lin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debut and a stirring adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical.
At the AFI Fest premiere of Netflix’s Tick, Tick… Boom!, Vanessa Hudgens graced the red carpet in a stunning Vera Wang Spring 2022 dress.
Cole Tucker and Vanessa Hudgens attend the 2021 AFI Fest – Opening Night Gala Premiere of Netflix’s “tick, tick…BOOM” on November 10, 2021, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
The Vera Wang Connection: Bridal Elegance & Red Carpet Power
Vanessa Hudgens has long praised Vera Wang for creating designs that make her feel confident, sexy, and feminine. For her wedding to Cole Tucker in December 2023, she chose a light ivory chartreuse bias-cut cowl neck slip dress by Wang, complete with a plunging back and a personalized veil embroidered with “Mrs. T December 2nd, 2023.”
Hudgens described the look as “perfect,” “easy,” “simple,” and “chic,” noting its ‘90s supermodel inspiration. Beyond her wedding, Hudgens considers Wang both a friend and a supporter, recognizing the designer’s legacy of dressing influential women for milestone moments.
👠 Vanessa Hudgens + Vera Wang Feature Highlights:
- 📏 Vanessa Hudgens Rocks Goth Glam at the 2023 CFDA Awards — wearing a custom Vera Wang gown with towering black open-toe platform sandals.
- 📏 Vanessa Hudgens Learns Witchcraft in “Dead Hot” — spotted in a lingerie-style Vera Wang ensemble with Spring 2016 Vera Wang platform mules at the CFDA Fashion Awards.
The star, known for her bohemian-chic style, opted for a tiered, lace gown with delicate straps. While the dress itself was a showstopper, critics noted a disconnect between the soft, romantic feel of the dress and the star’s dramatic, dark eye makeup.
Vanessa Hudgens attended the AFI Fest premiere of Tick, Tick… Boom! in a bohemian-chic, tiered white lace gown from Vera Wang’s Spring 2022 collection and waterfall earrings from SHAY Jewelry, with her shoes not visible in the photo (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
Despite the contrasting styles, her makeup was highlighted as a strong point of the look, though some felt the dress might have been better suited for a less formal event like a luncheon or an Independent Spirit Awards ceremony.
Statement Shoes: Platforms, Sandals & Star Power
Though her Vera Wang wedding gown and red-carpet looks sometimes conceal her footwear, Vanessa Hudgens has a well-documented love of standout shoes. Standing at 5ft 1 (154.9 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 7, she often relies on platforms, heels, and statement sandals to elevate her petite frame and complete her style.
👠 Vanessa Hudgens Shoe & Style Highlights:
- 📏 Vanessa Hudgens Is the Queen of Street Style—And Her Shoe Collection — showcases her effortlessly cool platforms, slides, and fashionable sandals in LA street-style moments.
- 📏 Vanessa Hudgens Stuns in a Breezy Little Black Dress – Perfect Summer Style! — styles a lightweight LBD with Koolaburra “Khloe” sandals and chic accessories, perfect for warm weather elegance.
- 📏 Vanessa Hudgens Misses the Mark in For Love & Lemons Dress — even her sleek black ankle boots can’t quite ground this uneven red-carpet look, but the footwear remains a standout.
- 📏 Vanessa Hudgens’ $285 Fuzzy Gym Slides: A Trendsetting Look Worth Trying? — spotlights her popping gym style with plush Brother Vellies slides—cozy meets chic in workout fashion.
Broadway-Caliber Performance in Tick, Tick… Boom!
Blending her powerhouse vocals with her signature on-screen presence, Hudgens stepped into the role of Karessa Johnson, showcasing not just her acting chops but also her evolution into a sophisticated performer with serious Broadway credentials.
In a scene from “Tick, Tick… Boom!,” Vanessa Hudgens, as Karessa Johnson, performs in a ribbed, deep burgundy top with a scoop neckline and button details, paired with delicate drop earrings (Credit: Netflix)
In both “Tick, Tick… Boom!” and in real life, Jon (portrayed by Andrew Garfield in the musical version) navigates his way through New York City while trying to build his career as a budding theater composer and playwright.
Vanessa Hudgens’ red carpet look is defined by a bold and dramatic makeup choice, featuring a deep, rich berry-hued lip and a shimmering, smokey eye with defined lashes (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
Because “Tick, Tick… Boom!” is a musical, the song-and-dance numbers keep the film afloat. One of the highlighted songs is “Therapy,” performed by Vanessa, Andrew, and an accompanying band to a massive crowd of fans.
As the song’s title suggests, “Therapy” is therapeutic, emotional, and relatable.
Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson and Alexandra Shipp as Susan Wilson share a romantic moment in the film Tick, Tick… Boom! (Credit: Netflix)
Both Andrew’s and Vanessa’s vocals — juxtaposed with a scene of Jon and Susan arguing — upped the emotional ante of the scene.
Another outstanding performance was “Come to your Senses,” which Vanessa performs in an empty hall. In the song, Vanessa demonstrated her vocal range by hitting the high notes and shifting to lower notes with ease.
At the Tick, Tick… Boom! premiere, Andrew Garfield wore a burgundy Dunhill suit, Alexandra Shipp donned a custom Christian Siriano ensemble, and Robin de Jesus wore a suit by Canali.
The cast of Tick, Tick… Boom!—Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, and Robin de Jesus—look stunning as they pose on the red carpet, each in a unique and stylish formal ensemble (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
Vanessa’s performance in “Tick, Tick… Boom!” marked a departure from her “High School Musical” days. There’s no question at all that Vanessa has been talented from the beginning, but “Tick, Tick… Boom!” gave her an incredible outlet to show off her honed skills and mature voice.
Vanessa’s voice added a layer of emotion to the musical, allowing viewers to resonate with the film’s plot.