EXCLUSIVE High School Musical actress KayCee Stroh, whose character famously declared that she "loved to pop and lock and jam and break" has recalled how she knew Zac Efron would go on to become the global star he is today when she worked with him on set of the Disney Channel hit17:57, 31 Jul 2026High School Musical was the Disney Channel juggernaut that ushered in a new era for the corporation in the late 2000s. Released in 2006, the made-for-TV film followed Zac Efron as basketball player Troy Bolton and Vanessa Hudgens as science enthusiast Gabriella Montez, both desperate to break out of their roles within the school system and audition for the titular musical.‌The film, which featured hit songs like Start of Something New, We're All In This Together, and Breaking Free, quickly gathered pace and, after spawning two sequels, in total made nearly $1 billion for Disney.‌The company quickly realised that music could be incorporated into their brands, and, shortly after the premiere of High School Musical, Miley Cyrus was propelled to global fame with the sitcom Hannah Montana, in which she played a schoolgirl who led a secret double life as a famous pop star. Over the next five years, other stars from the network, like Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, were also able to branch out into music on the back of their success.‌Following the instant success of High School Musical, Zac went on to star in Hairspray alongside A-Listers like Michelle Pfeiffer and John Travolta, and these days has done everything from drama to comedy.September will mark 20 years since High School Musical premiered in the UK, and actress KayCee Stroh, 42, who memorably starred as Martha Cox in the franchise and is still remembered for her part in the number Stick to the Status Quo in which her alter-ego proclaimed that she loved to "pop and lock and jam and break," has reflected on her memories of making the film and revealed how she knew that Zac would go on to become the star he is today.‌Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, KayCee said: "I'm no dummy. I definitely could see the vision with Zac. I was about 20, and I believe the majority of the cast were about 16 to 18 at the time."So, to me, I'm more like feeling like an older sister vibe to these characters. So it was always funny when people would be like, 'Oh my goodness, Zac Efron, he's so hot!' I'm like, 'Oh yeah, that's—he's cute! He's like my little brother, Zac,' you know? Years later, I was like 'Okay, I get it!'‌"What was really cool about Zac at that time is that here's this young kid, and he's full of life, and he's funny, and he loves to pull pranks on set. But the second that [director] Kenny Ortega yelled 'Action,' it was like a totally different human being stepped in. He was so professional, and mature, and deep."In High School Musical 2, Troy can be seen venting his frustrations around a golf course whilst performing the song Bet On It. The scene often goes viral on social media now, but KayCee shared that moment actually highlighted Zac's potential way back then even though it could've all gone badly wrong with another actor.‌She said: "Those scenes were not easy to pull off. When you're frolicking on a golf course, it could really read very cheesy or very silly. And he had to really fully commit to everything he did, and he did that, and he did it well.""I think I noticed it already in that moment, but looking back now as I watch them, now that my kids are actually starting to take interest and watch them, I see it with a whole new light, and I see the music in a whole new light. I'm like, 'Wait, these are bangers!' And now, I see Zac in a whole new light. I'm like, 'Wow, that—that little kid was really—really, really talented.' I noticed it then, too, but I'm like, 'Wow.'"As well as her signature role in High School Musical, KayCee appeared in episodes of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, which starred Dylan and Cole Sprouse as a pair of twins living at the Tipton hotel, and can be seen opposite Lady Gaga in the music video for Telephone.‌Now, the actress, who lives in Utah with her husband and children, has temporarily relocated to the UK with her family so that she can star in the first professional production of High School Musical to be staged in the country since 2009.This time, though, KayCee is taking on the role of eccentric drama teacher Ms Darbus, known in the film for her fiery relationship with Coach Bolton (Bart Johnson) and her favouritism of performers Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) and Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale).‌The production is being staged by Hope Mill Theatre, who have worked with the likes of the late Paul O'Grady, Coronation Street star Jodie Prenger and Loose Women's Denise Welch over the years.‌It will open in Salford in August, where Jason Donovan will play the part of Coach Bolton, before McFly star Harry Judd takes over for the London run in October. But when the call first came for KayCee, she almost turned the opportunity down.Speaking about how she got the part, KayCee said: "When they approached me, I thought we were pushing the Martha Cox thing again, and I kind of wanted to be like, 'Okay, thank you, but like, been there, done that. I'm good. It's 20 years, I don't exactly look the same!"And luckily, they were persistent, and the producers approached my manager again, and they said, 'No, no, no. For the 20th anniversary, we'd love for Kaycee to play Ms. Darbus, we think it'd be such a cool, full-circle moment, and something really great for the fans." The second I heard that, I knew it was a a whole different challenge.‌"This is a whole different animal. I love Ms. Darbus. Alyson Reed did such a beautiful job of bringing this quirky character to life, and I thought, 'How fun! I would love to do that.' And ultimately, in the end, I just love the Wildcat fans."The actress has only just got to the UK for rehearsals, but knew even when she was in the US that she had made the right decision when she saw the cast stage a promotional performance.She said: "Just seeing them perform at like West End Live. I'm so proud of what they are doing with this. "It's a beautiful—beautiful vehicle that is High School Musical. And it's so fun to see a more Broadway take on these songs, in the way they're sung‌KayCee is making her UK stage debut with the role, but recently starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat back at home.But she does have a couple of dream roles in mind, one of which, would, coincidentally be based on another film that starred Zac Efron, and another which would see her starring as one of the wives of King Henry VIII.She said: "I think there's more roles out there for me. It'd be really fun to do The Greatest Showman. did have a friend, ironically it was Monique Coleman, who played Taylor McKessie [in High School Musical], and she was like, 'I think you could do Six!' And I was like, 'Really? Is there a role for me in there? I don't know."Article continues below"And she was like, 'I think you could, like why not?' I love hearing from others who who see me for who I am, and they don't put me in a box."KayCee Stroh stars as Ms Darbus in Disney's High School Musical at Lowry, Salford, from 22 August - 19 September & Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London, from 12 October - 3 January. highschoolmusicalonstage.comLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads