Biography
Who is Monique Coleman?
Early life and education
Monique Coleman was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She began her acting career at a young age in Columbia, South Carolina, training at the Workshop Theater School of Dramatic Arts. She performed in over fifteen plays during her time there.
Coleman attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. She later studied at The Theater School at DePaul University in Chicago, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in 2002.
Acting career and High School Musical
Monique secured her first lead role in the independent film Mother of the River in 1995. Two years later, she appeared as Young Donna in The Ditchdigger's Daughter, earning a Young Artists Award nomination. During high school, she wrote and starred in a one-person play titled Voices from Within.
In 2006, Coleman achieved widespread recognition by starring as Taylor McKessie in the Disney Channel movie High School Musical alongside Vanessa Hudgens. She reprised this role in High School Musical 2 in 2007 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year in 2008. Before that, she had a recurring guest role on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and acted in the Hallmark film The Reading Room with James Earl Jones.
Television and other projects
Coleman competed in the third season of Dancing with the Stars in 2006, paired with professional dancer Louis van Amstel. She finished in fourth place as the final female contestant of that season. She also hosted the 3 Minute Game Show: High School Musical Edition in 2007 and recorded a song for the Disney Channel Holiday album.
Her television guest appearances include Boston Public, Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the Middle, Strong Medicine, and Veronica Mars.
Philanthropy and UN role
In 2010, Monique collaborated with DoSomething.org to create a video tutorial for Do Something U, teaching young people how to use social media effectively to spread ideas.
Later that year in November 2010, she was appointed a Youth Champion by the United Nations. At a ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York, she received recognition to help raise awareness about challenges faced by young people and to promote Millennium Development Goals.
Birthday and age
Monique Coleman was born on November 13, 1980, which makes Monique 45 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Monique shares the date with 25 other famous people.
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