The HSM hottie was all smiles for the cameras throughout her birthday (19 years old, on the 14th) in Hollywood, as she ran around town with her mother, Gina in tow.

According to paparazzi following her every move, the young actress spent part of the day at an office building before leaving with a Police Escort. Now the question becomes, will her boyfriend Zac Efron get off of filming scenes for “Seventeen” in time to take his girl out for a classy birthday dinner?

By the way, have I mentioned how much she reminds me of a tiny, tan Mila Kunis? Or even a petite Posh in the making? Either way, I absolutely adore her.

In town to tape the TNT Holiday special ”Christmas In Washington,” actress/singer Vanessa Hudgens was spotted wandering about the streets & shops of Washington D.C. on Saturday.

After grabbing a Starbucks & checking out the city’s offerings, the HSM star was put to work- as she made her way to a rehearsal to practice up for the actual televised performance.

Joining Vanessa at the rehearsals were fellow “Christmas In Washington” performers Katharine McPhee, Ne-Yo & Colbie Caillat.

I wish she brought Zac along for the trip!  Love them, TEAM ZANESSA!

Looks like V realizes how lucky she is.  Getting signed for HSM3 after a nude pic scandal, being sued for unpaid legal fees, & a heavily scrutinized relationship can really make you see how the rest of the world lives- at the end of a 2 day shopping spree w/ her mom, Vanessa Hudgens gave a $20 bill to a homeless man outside the mall.

Quality time with Mom must keep her pretty grounded- good for her. 

Is anyone else obsessed with these two? They are absolutely my favorite young Hollywood couple! Here they are at the High School Musical 2 DVD release party in Tinseltown. Think they’ll last?

Click below for other cast members:

Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale will reprise their roles in the upcoming third installment of the hit movie High School Musical, sources close to the negotiation tell Usmagazine.com. A source says that Hudgens will receive a “substantial increase” in pay.

“Vanessa is locked for the movie,” a HSM3 source tells Us. “She is very happy that the deal is done.”

“The contract will be signed within the next week,” a Hudgens source tells Us. “It is almost a done deal.” A close Tisdale source says of the other lead actress’ negotations, “It’s done, done, done.”

Hudgens’ nude photo scandal in September sparked an erroneous report by OK magazine that she would be replaced by either Adrienne Bailon and Sabrina Bryan, both members of the Cheetah Girls. “I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken those photos,” Hudgens said in a statement. At the time, Disney released a statement saying, “We hope she’s learned a valuable lesson.”

Bryan, 23, dismissed rumors she would replace Hudgens at the KIIS-FM Homecoming Concert on October 27 in Anaheim, California.

“Vanessa is in control of her own career right now,” Bryan told Us. “If she decides not to do High School Musical, I can guarantee you that it will be her deciding that. No one will strip anything away from her.”

The movie, the first in the hit movie series to be a theatrical release, is set to begin shooting in January 2008.

Officially, reps would not confirm the casting news. A Disney spokesperson tells Us: “The cast is still in negotiations and we have no further comment.” Hudgens’ publicist tells Us: “There is no deal yet. They are still in negotiations.”

A source says that Hudgens’ movie (and real-life) boyfriend, Zac Efron, will also return for the sequel, though the actor’s publicist says a deal is not yet signed.

Co-stars Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman are also in final negotiations, according to their publicist.

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After a tumultuous couple of months for Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron, which saw them going through a brief breakup after nude pics of ‘Nessa hit the net, OK! can report that it’s finally over for the High School Musical sweethearts. But this time, it’s Vanessa that’s kicked Zac to the curb — and right before his birthday!

A source close to the dreamy-eyed hunk reveals exclusively to OK! that the deed went down late Wednesday evening, only hours before he was to turn 20. Now, just out of his teens, he’s going around telling friends it’s “officially over.”

One friend tells OK! that Zac is worried Vanessa might have already found a new piece of man candy — though there are no real signs of this being true.

Vanessa’s rep is denying the news. However, no word yet from Zac’s camp on the split, which is interesting when you consider the fact that both stars are represented by the same firm.

ok

Source