By Naomi Kirsten

A new album! A must-see sequel! Screaming fans! How is 18-year-old Corbin Bleu dealing with life as a star? Check it out!

Since you’ve been acting—not singing—for most of your life, were you worried about how you would sound on your debut album, Another Side?

I was nervous, but as we recorded the album, my voice just got stronger—and better.

So practice does make perfect?

Absolutely! Practice makes perfect, and hard work makes perfect. You can do the same thing over and over again, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get better. You need to really focus, know what you need to improve, and think about what you need to change to make it better.

What was your reaction after reading the High School Musical script?

I loved it! I actually didn’t originally audition for the role of Chad—I auditioned for the role of Ryan. It just turned out they thought I was better for the role of Chad. When I read for that role, I’d never really played a comic relief character before, which was pretty cool!

What was the audition process like?

They brought me in once, then they brought me in for a callback and I really made them laugh. Then, they brought me in again. At that point, they said, “You’re great, but we really need to see if you can sing.” And then they brought me in again and said, “But we need to see if you can dance” and then they said, “Okay, you’re great, but we need to see if you can play basketball.” And then they said “We need you to meet the director.” And then they told me on a Friday that I got the part and that I’d be flying out to film on Monday! So it was a long, long process which originally started with me trying out for a different role!

How have you dealt with not getting roles?

One thing my family and I have always talked about is that everything happens for a reason. I’ve been acting since I was two so I’ve had a lot of rejection, and I’ve even gone through long periods without booking a job. Even though it felt strange and I’d ask myself, What’s wrong with me?! I’d remember that you’re not going to get every part, and not every part was made for you. The parts that you do get are the ones that you were meant to get.

Do you think it’s important to have an identity apart from Hollywood?

What I do is my passion—it’s what I love doing. At the same time, I’m not surrounded by “the business.” My family keeps me grounded. We try to stay as normal as possible and not get involved in the Hollywood scene. But acting is my life and I enjoy what I do: performing, dancing, singing, playing piano…

Speaking of your family, what is it like to be the older brother—of three sisters?!

Being the only guy has made me who I am! First of all, I love shopping! [Laughs.] I love hanging out with my sisters, and being able to pamper myself, like getting massages. I enjoy being the oldest because I get to look out for my sisters—I’m very protective of them. And I get to be the only prince! [Laughs.]

What went on behind the scenes of the High School Musical concert tour?

We had so many rituals, and they just kept growing! Right before the show we had handshakes. Then we’d all get in a circle and say different things to pump each other up. And then I’d say, “What team? Wildcats! What team? Wildcats!” Then Monique [Coleman] and I would walk up to each other as if we were about to hug, and then I’d dip her. I’d say, “Are you ready?” and she’d say, “I’m ready! Let’s do it!”

What was it like after a HSM concert?

Throughout the day of the show, all of us were groggy. And then, once the audience started to arrive and we’d hear them, we’d start getting pumped. Once onstage, we were all crazy! But after the show, we’d still have that energy—and then we’d have to travel to the next city. It took us until about three in the morning to get there, and we usually just stayed up until then!

Which is why everyone is groggy the next day!

Exactly! And you’re in a different place every day—you’re seeing different people. It’s crazy to see the entire country in two months!

How was being onstage for the tour different from filming High School Musical 2?

It’s completely different! Being onstage is all about keeping it fresh every night, and it’s about the energy and your connection between the audience and the people onstage with you. The film is a start-and-stop thing. You have to be in your head a lot more to really get into character. Onstage for a concert, it’s all about getting up every single last bit of energy to give to that audience. When you have an audience of 15,000 screaming people watching you, it’s not that hard to get that energy going!

Was your real-life high school experience at all like HSM2’s East High?

I didn’t have to deal with cliques in the extreme because I went to an arts high school. I was surrounded by kids who did what I did. I had more problems in middle school. I was the guy who didn’t really play sports, but who took ballet and dance classes. It was tough to deal with, but I knew that it was what I loved doing, so what people said didn’t matter to me. Obviously, it’s paid off!

High School Musical 2 premieres Friday night at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel. Corbin’s album, Another Side (Hollywood Records) is in stores now. You'll find more on Corbin in the Girls' Survival Guide 2007!