• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

"High School" star Tisdale now a TV producer

Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:12pm EDT
Actress Ashley Tisdale, from Disney's ''High School Musical'' arrives at the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles January 27, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Blake

By Borys Kit

Television

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale is adding "producer" to her resume.

The 23-year-old actress is in negotiations for a one-year deal with FremantleMedia North America, the production company behind "American Idol."

Tisdale will develop reality shows aimed at the younger demographic, and will stay behind the camera. She already has numerous endorsement deals, with such products as Degree Girl deodorant and Huckleberry Toys, and the FremantleMedia deal is another step in her transformation into a global brand.

Tisdale, who plays rich-girl Sharpay Evans in Disney Channel's lucrative "High School Musical" franchise, is also in negotiations to star in a remake of "Teen Witch" for Tom Cruise's United Artists company.

The 1989 original starred Robyn Lively as an unpopular high school teen who learns she's descended from the witches of Salem and has inherited their powers. The movie was a fantasy musical. A writer will be sought to pen the update.

Tisdale recently wrapped production on her theatrical film debut, the Fox adventure comedy feature "They Came From Upstairs," and is in preproduction on a third "High School Musical" movie, which is being prepped for the first time as a theatrical feature.

Her first feature, the direct-to-DVD comedy "Picture This," comes out on July 22. She is also working on a second album.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter



More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article