| Olesya Rulin |
 |
| Born |
(1986-03-17) March 17, 1986 (age 26)
Moscow, Russia |
| Occupation |
Actress |
| Years active |
2001–present |
Olesya Rulin (Russian: Oлeся Pулин; born March 17, 1986) is a Russian American actress. She is best known for co-starring in the first three films of the High School Musical franchise as Kelsi Nielsen. She also starred in the films Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2008) and Flying By (2009).
[edit] Early life
Rulin was born Olesya Rulinkova in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. She spent her early childhood in the Likhoslavl[1](Population: 12,000) located three hours north of Moscow.[2] She was eight[3] when she migrated to the United States to rejoin her father who had done so two years earlier. They lived first in Texas then later in Utah. She can read, write and speak in fluent Russian. She is also a trained ballet dancer. When she was 12,[3] she entered a model search contest at the urging of her mother and won representation by four different agencies.[2] Prior to acting full-time, she worked for a year as a certified nursing assistant and also at stores such as Victoria's Secret;[4] she was working at a Nordstrom store when the first High School Musical came out.[1] She was studying economics in Paris when the casting for High School Musical 2 was being done.[1] Rulin graduated from West Jordan High School in 2005.
[edit] Acting career
In addition to her role in High School Musical and High School Musical 2, and High School Musical 3, her other credits include the Disney Channel Original Movies Halloweentown High, The Poof Point and Hounded, the television series Everwood and the feature films Forever Strong, Mobsters and Mormons and The Dance. Rulin's part in High School Musical 2 was significantly larger than the first movie, including a solo in "You Are The Music In Me" and a few lines in "Work This Out".[5] Rulin reprised her role as Kelsi Nielsen in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, also with a larger part, and performed in three songs, one of them being a duet alongside Lucas Grabeel.[6] Rulin is also co-starred alongside Jessica Simpson in the film Major Movie Star (released in the United States under the title Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous).[7][8] In 2009, Rulin co-starred with Billy Ray Cyrus and Heather Locklear in a drama film Flying By.[9]
[edit] Filmography
Television
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
| 2002 |
Touched by an Angel |
High School Student |
"Bring on the Rain" (season 9: episode 7) |
| 2004 |
Everwood |
The Drunk Girl |
"No Sure Thing" (season 2: episode 14) |
| 2009–2011 |
Greek |
Abby |
Recurring role; 10 episodes |
| 2010 |
CSI: Miami |
Andrea Williams |
"Mommie Deadest" (season 8: episode 22) |
| 2010 |
The Mentalist |
Sam Starks |
"The Red Ponies" (season 3: episode 5) |
| 2011 |
Drop Dead Diva |
Mia Dalton |
"He Said, She Said" (season 3: episode 8) |
| 2012 |
Touch |
Girl in the Red Dress |
"Safety in Numbers" (season 1: episode 3) |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Persondata |
| Name |
Rulin, Olesya |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Actress |
| Date of birth |
March 17, 1986 |
| Place of birth |
Moscow, Russia |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
