"Pretty in Pink" |
A dissection of High School Musical's Sharpay
Sharpay Evans is the fabulous, talented, blonde and notably antagonistically-treated ‘Queen Bee’ in Disney Channel Original Movies: the High School Musical trilogy, created to be the foil to main characters, Troy and Gabriella. At the time, Gabriella was the character we all rooted for and identified with: her kindness, insecurity, and raw talent. She was the underdog and therefore, relatable. However, re-watching the trilogy and looking past the nostalgia made me realise that Sharpay, a character that I had previously hated for scheming against Gabriella and trying to ‘steal’ Troy away, was merely an ambitious and skilful woman, whose work ethic and resourcefulness we should be emulating and teaching to young girls in their vulnerable and elastic state of mind.
-
The importance of having dreams no matter how big and far-fetched they are (I want it all- HSM3) and working hard to achieve them
It is no secret that Sharpay’s ambitious nature caused her to do whatever it takes to achieve her show choir and musical dreams. Though her desires often lead her to exclude others, she is resourceful and takes advantage of every opportunity. She is the co-president of the East High Drama Club and has taken part in every school production with her brother, meticulously auditioning and preparing for any role. As Taylor remarks that ‘she could figure out how to play both Romeo and Juliet’, Sharpay is shown to be smart, hard-working, and clever. She tries exceedingly to do her best in her specific interests. Unlike Gabriella, though proficient in academic pursuits, whose entire character arch is defined through her tumultuous relationship with Troy, Sharpay focuses on honing her craft and starring in stage productions. While she shows romantic attraction, specifically to Troy and later Zeke, her character arch does not rely on romance or revolve around a male.
2. Her fabulous and stylish persona & 3. Her fierce loyalty to those she loves and trusts
Her designer fits and fashionable style were truly products of their time. Prominently clad in pink, glitter, and white aviator sunglasses, her outfits capture the glamorous essence of the mid-2000s, a time where designer brands such as Juicy Couture and Gucci were interlinking with mainstream fashion. Manifesting and embodying her movie-star persona, miniskirts, poufy dresses, big bows, and gold accents comprise her wardrobe. She cements her status as a style icon and inspires young audiences to dress their best no matter the location.
Her twin brother, Ryan Evans, remains her right-hand man in all aspects of her life (Bop to the Top- HSM). Despite many agreeing that Sharpay does not need her brother’s emotional support, she displays an inclusive and tolerant environment for him. She is accepting and does not adhere to toxic femininity as Ryan displays traditionally feminine traits and interests. They are a team and she includes him in every step of her thorough plan to stardom (I want it all- HSM3). Though her infatuation with Troy, especially in the second movie, can cause her to be labelled as a ‘homewrecker’, she advocates for his basketball skills and provides him important connections to build his future academic and professional endeavours.
4. Like most antagonists, her mistakes and anti-heroine characteristics serve as a reminder to the audience of pitfalls of certain traits.
Sharpay is rude and intolerant of anyone trying to sway her position as the star, though her kindness and humility increase in Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventures. She vehemently upholds classist and socially conservative views of class mobility. This is highlighted in her rigid view of the clique system in East High (Stick to the Status Quo- HSM), and her control of her family’s country club (Fabulous- HSM2). It is likely that her family is Republican, considering the conservative nature of Utah, and her coming from generational affluence. Sharpay, herself believes that hard work and individualism will pay off, being aware yet disregarding structural power dynamics, and she co-opts every lead in musicals, disallowing members from other cliques, i.e. the working class, to gain any positions in the cast despite their talent.
Ultimately, Sharpay showcases complexity and multi-dimensionality. She is not a cardboard villain embodying the Madonna-Whore complex, nor only relevant in the context of mid-2000s pre-teen TV. She has valuable traits and flaws that can teach young women to better themselves and flourish in their coming-of-age.
