Tue, 08 August 2023 at 4:23 pm

Julia Lester, Frankie Rodriguez & Dara Reneé Talk Their 'HSMTMTS' Characters' Future, Things They Would Change & More (Exclusive Interview)

Julia Lester, Frankie Rodriguez and Dara Reneé have become close friends over the years, on and off the screen, and that really shows in the upcoming final season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series!

The actors, who portray Ashlyn, Carlos and Kourtney, respectively, head into a new school year in the new episodes after returning from summer camp and some newfound fame thanks to the docu-series.

However, the effects of some things that were seen and heard in the docu-series take their toll as they return to East High, get to work on their fall musical (High School Musical 3) and the added presence of High School Musical 4: The Reunion filming at their school at the same time.

Ahead of the final season debuting, we spoke with the trio about the show, what their character’s future would like look in 10-15 years, songs they wanted to do but didn’t get to and what they would change about their character if they could.

Keep reading to learn more…

JJJ note: The following interview with Julia, Frankie and Dara was conducted at the end of June, prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

“I think one, and it shocked me that we never did it, was, [singing] I can’t dance, I know you can,” Frankie shared on a song that they never got to do.

“Maybe, hopefully Ashlyn, in some beautiful queer relationship that is fulfilling her and making her feel beautiful and authentic,” Julia said about Ashlyn’s future in 10-15 years. “And also performing in some way, because I think that she discovered how much she loved performing. I think she really discovered that throughout the four seasons, so hopefully that is a part of her career now.”

“One thing that I would change… I guess, I wish I didn’t fall in,” Dara cuts off in laughter. “I fell and I was the one holding the radio in ‘Truth, Justice’ [in season one]. Sorry, it was just traumatic and I… I do wish that I switched my shoes before we rehearsed [it].”

Check out the video right here to catch our full interview with Julia Lester, Frankie Rodriguez and Dara Reneé, and see all of their answers for each question.