Appearances
Appearances
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November 5, 2008 at 1:00 am
Olesya Recalls Her Humble Youth in Russia
Olesya was born in a tiny village in Russia and “through a lot of hard work and a lot of luck” her parents were able to move the family to the United States.
"I came from a little house with no indoor plumbing; my father hunted for our food and I'm here now, working for the Disney Channel…it just shows me that anything's possible if you have that courage and that inspiration in yourself, you can accomplish anything."
Olesya is now part of the “High School Musical” phenomenon, playing Kelsi Neilsen in all three installments. It all starts with baby steps for the actress. "What gives me the courage to take big steps is the possibility that there are possibilities.”Source: upi.com - Olesya Rulin
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November 4, 2008 at 1:00 am
Olesya Rulin on BuddyTV
In the third installment of the Disney franchise, the focus remains on keeping the innocent tone from the first two installments. But the production values were better, clothes were better, sets were "insane," and most importantly,the cast had a chance to hang out together again.
Throughout the "High School Musical" press frenzy Olesya has managed to stay out of the spotlight. "I actually adore that," Olesya says."It's wonderful that I've been able to be a part of the production and know all these people and learn as much as I have learned and still stay away from the press. I think that's just a sad part of the industry that people follow you when you go get your coffee, but it's one of those things you have to get used to."Source: BuddyTV.com - Olesya Rulin
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October 27, 2008 at 1:00 am
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: ROCKS THE BOX OFFICE!
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" sang and danced its way to the top of the US box office with a whopping $42 million dollar take! This is the biggest opening for a musical ever replacing the previous champ “Mama Mia!”
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October 21, 2008 at 1:00 am
The Red Carpet Premiere!
Olesya took a moment at the red carpet premiere of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR to talk with Access Hollywood. She discusses how she selected her dress and her experiences meeting the fans.Source: Access Hollywood- HSM Premiere
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September 16, 2008 at 1:00 am
On the Set of High School Musical 3: Senior Year
In her Los Angeles Times feature article on “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” writer Mary McNamara describes the set as “a bit like summer camp, with a bunch of young actors running around in shorts and T-shirts.” But don't be fooled. “The minute the cameras and lights are ready, everyone is all business.”
By all accounts, the cast is “one big happy family” that is getting together for what will most likely be the last time. This third installment of the popular Disney franchise lays the groundwork for new characters, and finally allows Kelsi and Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) a chance to shine.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year hits theaters on October 24.
Source: LA Times.com / HSM3
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June 6, 2008 at 12:00 am
Olesya Goes Green
Olesya was out celebrating the launch of the new 24 Hour Green Lifestyle Channel “Planet Green.” The event, hosted by the Discovery Channel, brought out like minded eco-friendly celebs such as Adrian Grenier’s, Alter Eco team, Tommy Lee and Ludicris. The launch premiere was also a fundraiser for the reforestation of Griffith Park, the Hollywood Landmark scorched by a wildfire in May 2008. The night was capped by a special performance of the Vegan Vixens.Source: Ecorazzi
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April 16, 2008 at 12:00 am
Olesya Rulin prepares for 'High School Musical 3'
Production on "High School Musical 3" is still a few months off, but cast member Olesya Rulin knows she better get in shape quickly.
Indeed, Rulin, who played the meek composer Kelsi Nielsen in the previous two "High School Musical" movies, says she's going to take a month physically preparing for the new film.
"'High School Musical 3' is going to kick my butt," said Rulin. "I got to get toned and be more aware of my body."
"High School Musical 3" is set to begin production in the spring, with the entire cast back for what's set to be the last chapter in the series. The kids of East High will be back in school for their final year. The film is expected to hit theaters in the fall.
Rulin and the rest of the cast can be seen tonight starting at 6 when the Disney Channel airs sing-along versions of "HSM" and "HSM2," which include the lyrics to each song on the screen for the few fans who don't know every word already.
Rulin said she has a feeling producer Kenny Ortega is going to be even more intense with the dance routines in "HSM3" compared to "HSM2," which had more dancing than the original.
"I'm a ballerina, I don't do hip hop," Rulin said during a break from snowboarding in Utah. "I have a sense we're going to be dancing more. It's going to be a theatrical release. I just want to make sure my body is strong. I have a fear of getting comfortable."
Comfortable doesn't come easy for Rulin. She was born in the former USSR, and spent her early childhood in a poor 12-house village. Her father emigrated to the United States in the early '90s, leaving her mother, brother and her behind. Two years later, the family moved to Texas and, then, eventually to Utah.
She was cast in the first "HSM" right out of high school. Even after "HSM" debuted, she continued working at a Nordstrom's where, occasionally, she was spotted by fans of the movie.
And, when the second film was being cast, she was in Paris, studying economics. "I was superpoor, I was stealing Internet," she said, laughing.
Then Ortega called for her to appear in the second film.
"Now, it's just been like a crazy thrill ride," she said.
Indeed, Rulin just finished working on "Major Movie Star" with Jessica Simpson and "Flying By" with Billy Ray Cyrus.
Thanks to her work in the "HSM" films, Rulin moved to Los Angeles to act full-time. Before, she'd considered it a side job. Now, she's using her education in business and marketing to sell herself to producers and viewers.
The biggest change, she said, has been worrying about her privacy.
"This is a dream job," she said. "But I have to be careful to make sure I don't have things on the Internet. And I can't just roll out of bed and go to the grocery store in my pajamas."
Source: NY Daily News
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March 27, 2008 at 12:00 am
Prepping for High School Musical 3!
Cast in the first "HSM" movie right out of high school, Olesya has "grown-up" in the role of Kelsi. Fans were able to see her character change in "HSM 2." ( When she got the call to do that film, she was studying Economics in Paris.) In "HSM 2" Kelsi sang for the first time and fans will see Kelsi evolve even more in "HSM 3."
Source: NY Daily News
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March 17, 2008 at 12:00 am
Olesya's OK Magazine Interview
During the Fourteenth Annual Family Party held at the Museum of Natural History and Cozy's Cuts for Kids, Olesya took some time out from chatting with her fans for an interview with OK Magazine about her upcoming role in "High School Musical 3" and working with Jessica Simpson on "Major Movie Star."
With the immense popularity of the first two "High School Musical" movies, Olesya is looking forward to starring in the third installment. "I hope we can tell another story while concluding the life of the Wild Cats into a memorable event," says Olesya. With wholesome themes and pop-catchy songs, the popularity of HSM in teen and tween groups has been phenomenal. "Maybe it's 'cause todays kids are kind of lacking a good, wholesome movie. It's really innocent. Our biggest problem is that the characters don't see each other enough! It's just innocent and a breath of fresh air," say Olesya.
Starring in the first two films catapulted Olesya into a major star and in front of the public eye. Olesya admits that the sudden stardom is somewhat of a shock. "It's definitely hard and I need to prioritize my life a little bit. I need to be more careful about my family and friends, just making sure things I don't want in the public not to be in the public," comments Olesya.
Olesya also talked about her upcoming movie with Jessica Simpson titled "Major Movie Star." From playing a high school girl to playing a girl joining the army, this new role is quite a departure for Olesya, but it's one that she enjoyed. "We join the army -- I play her best friend. That was so fun! I got to wear all the combat gear. I had a fake rifle and it was still really heavy. We filmed the movie and it was just really, really hot, "says Olesya. When asked about her co-star, Olesya couldn't say enough about Jessica. "She's a wonderful soul. She's probably one of the most genuine souls I've ever met. She's a very beautiful woman and I loved her spirit. She brought a 120% to work every single day. With three movies due for release in 2008 Olesya's been a busy girl herself.
Source: OK Magazine
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March 17, 2008 at 12:00 am
Olesya's Secrets!
Seventeen's exclusive interview with Olesya revealed much about this young actress. You know Olesya from the Disney Channel's "High School Musical" movies and her guest appearances on shows like "Touched by an Angel" and "Everwood" but did you know that Olesya actually had a pet ostrich when she lived Texas? Also, when her family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah Olesya had a stroke of luck because that's where the Disney Channel shoots many of their movies. There might be some coincidence here, but Olesya still had to audition for her roles.
Because Olesya was extremely shy as a kid, her mother encouraged her to pursue acting to bring her out of her shyness. As a result, Olesya landed the roles in six Disney Channel movies before starring as Kelsi in the first "High School Musical" movie. In Olesya's senior year, before being cast in HSM, she was taking five AP classes and working part-time to pay for college. While in high school, Olesya founded Project Orphanage, a non-profit foundation that brings toys to orphanages in Russia.
Here's a list of other secrets that Olesya shared with Seventeen.
- She studied economics in Paris before working on HSM 2.
- She lived in Paris for six months to study economics.
- She worked at Victoria's Secret and Nordstrom's.
- Olesya sang for the first time in HSM 2.
- The first time she played the piano was in HSM.
- She has a double major in Economics and Business Marketing with a minor in Psychology.
- She visits her extended family in Russia twice a year.
If you think you really know Olesya don't be too sure. Olesya is dynamic, talented and a young woman always evolving to be her best.
Source: Seventeen
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March 14, 2008 at 12:00 am
Olesya's Interview with TheStage
During the UK press launch of "High School Musical 2" Olesya spoke with Scott Matthewman of the British magazine The Stage about HSM2 and her character's evolution in the popular Disney franchise.
In "High School Musical," Olesya plays Kelsi the shy musician who composes songs for the school's musical production. While kids in the movie have their clicks Olesya says "I think Kelsi is definitely the 'floater' of the group. You know, she is part of the musical theatre crowd, so she can talk with Sharpay and Ryan on that level, but she's also friendly with all the Wildcats. From her point of view, she gets to find her place by being more confident, and realizing that she gets to watch and observe all of these big dreams." Olesya does get the chance to stretch her wings in HSM2 by singing a brief solo and a duet, with co-star Vanessa Anne Hudgens, of "You are the Music in Me." Olesya actually didn't expect to sing in the sequel. "It was a complete surprise when I got the music and saw that I'd be singing on my own! I don't really think of myself as a singer, so I was really nervous," Olesya said.
Since HSM and HSM2 focus on musical stage performances, Matthewman asked if Olesya would ever consider acting in theatre. Olesya admits that she is "a film girl at heart." However, Olesya is the type of person who is always looking to improve her craft. "I'd love to learn more about theatre, though. And it's been great to be around people who know so much, I've really learned a lot already. Alyson Reed [the Broadway star, who plays Ms. Darbus in the High School Musical films] is great to watch --she always knows exactly where to stand to catch her light and look her best. That's something that's always good to know!"
This Russian-born actress who was a painfully shy kid is definitely in the limelight these days. "I used to be really shy when I was younger. I moved to America when I was eight, and was a little bit inhibited," Olesya said, that is until her mother encouraged her to audition for Model Search America. Olesya was actually picked out of thousands of young kids and after that she started modeling and going on auditions . . . Olesya fans know how those auditions turned out. As for the future, Olesya's busy working on "High School Musical 3" which is scheduled for an October 8 release.
Source: TheStage
