Olesya Rulin
Olesya Rulin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Olesya Rulin March 17, 1986 |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2001–present |
Olesya Rulin (Russian: Oлeся Pулин; born March 17, 1986) is a Russian-American actress and singer who is perhaps 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).
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.
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]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Poof Point | Annie | Made for television (Disney Channel) |
| Hounded | Girl #1 | Made for television (Disney Channel) | |
| 2002 | Touched by an Angel | High School Student | 1 episode |
| 2004 | Everwood | The Drunk Girl | 1 episode |
| Halloweentown High | Natalie the Pink Troll | Made for television (Disney Channel) | |
| 2005 | Urban Legends: Bloody Mary | Mindy - Samantha's Friend #2 | Direct-to-video film |
| Mobsters and Mormons | Julie Jaymes | Main role | |
| 2006 | High School Musical | Kelsi Nielsen | made for television (Disney Channel) |
| Vampire Chicks with Chainsaws | Sariah | Direct-to-video film | |
| 2007 | American Pastime | Cathy Reyes | appearances |
| The Dance | Britney | Independent film | |
| High School Musical 2 | Kelsi Nielsen | made for television (Disney Channel) | |
| 2008 | Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous | Petrovich | Main Role |
| Forever Strong | Emily's Friend | Theatrical film | |
| High School Musical 3: Senior Year | Kelsi Nielsen | Theatrical film, supporting role | |
| 2009 | Flying By | Ellie | Direct-to-video film |
| Greek | Abby | Recurring role | |
| 2010 | |||
| Apart | Emily Gates | Theatrical film Lead role | |
| Expecting Mary | Mary | Lead role | |
| CSI: Miami | Andrea Williams | Television series (Episode "Mommie Deadest") | |
| The Mentalist | Sam Starks | Television series (Episode "Red Ponies") | |
| 2012 | A Thousand Cuts | Melanie | Upcoming film Lead role |
| 2012 | Family Weekend | Emily Smith-Dungy | Upcoming film lead role |
References
- ^ a b c Richard Huff (2007-12-28). "Olesya Rulin prepares for 'High School Musical 3'". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ a b Holly Siegel. "Behind the scenes with HSM's Oleysa Rulin". Elle Girl. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ a b "Report from Disney's High School Musical 2 DVD Launch at El Capitan Theatre". ultimatedisney.com. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ Lynn Barker (2007-11-30). "High School Musical 2 - DVD Premiere Chats". www.teenmusic.com. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ The Graphic - Going back to ?High School?
- ^ High School Musical 3 page on Olesya's Official Site Friday, April 11, 2008
- ^ ‘High School Musical’ Star Reports For Duty In ‘Simpson’s ‘Major Movie Star’ Monday, August 20, 2007 at 9:30 am
- ^ Rulin is From Russia with Love Retrieved Wednesday, August 15th, 2007
- ^ Flying high: Cyrus, Rulin join indie pic Wednesday, October 24, 2007
External links
- 1986 births
- Living people
- 21st-century actors
- Actors from Texas
- Actors from Utah
- American child actors
- American dance musicians
- American female singers
- American film actors
- American people of Russian descent
- American pop singers
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- Russian emigrants to the United States
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