“I’m doing everything I can to let people know I’m Filipino.”⁠ ⁠ In a new interview with Allure, actor and singer Vanessa Hudgens detailed her journey of connecting more deeply with her Filipino heritage.⁠ ⁠ vanessahudgens felt a gap in her identity due to her lack of a robust connection with her Filipino background. The yearning to more strongly root herself in her heritage drove her to visit and understand the Philippines in 2023, leading her to realize the power and pride of representation.⁠ ⁠ While her iconic role as Gabriella Montez in 2006’s “High School Musical” and its 2007 sequel led many to believe she’s Latina, Hudgens is drawing attention to her true ethnicity, and the complexities of a mixed identity. Despite her American upbringing, she experienced moments of being categorized based on her appearance. This duality has further motivated her to let her Filipino heritage shine.⁠ ⁠ Beyond her personal journey, Hudgens also highlighted the limited representation of Filipinas i...