Monique Coleman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monique Coleman
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Coleman in February 2011
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| Born |
Adrienne Monique Coleman
November 13, 1980 |
| Alma mater | DePaul University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Taylor McKessie in High School Musical |
| Spouse(s) |
Walter Jordan
(m. 2012; div. 2022) |
Adrienne Monique Coleman (born November 13, 1980) is an American actress and dancer. She is famous for playing Taylor McKessie in the High School Musical movies.
Contents
Early Life and Acting Start
Monique Coleman was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She began her acting career at a young age in local theater in Columbia, South Carolina. She trained at the Workshop Theater School of Dramatic Arts and acted in more than fifteen plays.
After graduating from Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, she went to The Theater School at DePaul University in Chicago. In 2002, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting.
Career Highlights
Monique's first main role was in the 1995 movie Mother of the River. Two years later, she appeared in the TV movie The Ditchdigger's Daughters. Her performance earned her a nomination for a Young Artists Award.
In 2005, Monique acted with James Earl Jones in the Hallmark movie The Reading Room. For this role, she won a CAMIE Award in 2006. She also had guest roles on many popular TV shows. These included Boston Public, Gilmore Girls, and Malcolm in the Middle.
Disney Channel Fame
In 2006, Monique became widely known for her role as Taylor McKessie in the Disney Channel movie High School Musical. Taylor is the best friend of Gabriella Montez, played by Vanessa Hudgens. Before this, she had a recurring role on the Disney show The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
She returned to play Taylor in High School Musical 2 (2007) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). She also participated in the first Disney Channel Games in 2006 and hosted a short game show based on High School Musical.
Dancing with the Stars
In 2006, Monique competed on the third season of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with professional dancer Louis van Amstel. They performed many different dances, including the Mambo, Jive, and Tango.
Monique and Louis finished in fourth place. She was the last female contestant remaining in the competition that season.
| Week | Dance / Song | Judges' Score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Foxtrot / "Baby Love" | 6 | 6 | 7 | Safe |
| 2 | Mambo / "Bop to the Top" | 9 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
| 3 | Jive / "The Heat Is On" | 9 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 4 | Waltz / "If I Were a Painting" | 8 | 8 | 8 | Bottom two |
| 5 | Rumba / "So Nice" | 9 | 9 | 9 | 1st Place |
| 6 | Samba / "ABC" | 9 | 7 | 7 | No Elimination |
| 7 | Quickstep / "Luck Be a Lady" | 9 | 9 | 9 | Bottom two |
| Pasodoble / "The Reflex" | 9 | 9 | 9 | ||
| 8 | Tango / "Somebody's Watching Me" | 8 | 8 | 8 | Eliminated |
| Cha Cha Cha / "Ghostbusters" | 9 | 10 | 10 | ||
Charity Work
In 2010, Monique was named a Youth Champion by the United Nations. In this role, she helps raise awareness about the challenges young people face around the world. She also highlights the positive things young people do for their communities.
Monique said that being named a Youth Champion was a great honor. She uses her position to support global goals to reduce poverty, known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Personal Life
Monique Coleman married Walter Jordan in February 2012. They divorced in February 2022.
Selected Film and TV Roles
Movies
- Mother of the River (1995)
- The Ditchdigger's Daughters (1997)
- The Reading Room (2005)
- High School Musical (2006)
- High School Musical 2 (2007)
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
- Free the ... (2014)
- Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List (2015)
- I Am Somebody's Child: The Regina Louise Story (2019)
- A Christmas Dance Reunion (2021)
- Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story (2022)
Television Shows
- Boston Public (2003–2004)
- Gilmore Girls (2004)
- Malcolm in the Middle (2004)
- Veronica Mars (2005)
- The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005–2006)
- Dancing with the Stars (2006)
- Bones (2009)
- Stitchers (2015)
- Family Reunion (2021)
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2023)
Awards and Recognition
- 19th Annual Young Artist Awards (1996–1997): Best Performance in a TV Movie for The Ditchdigger's Daughters.
- Character and Morality in Entertainment Awards (CAMIE) 2006: For her role in The Reading Room.
- Teen Choice Awards 2006: Choice TV Show: Comedy/Musical for High School Musical.
- American Music Award 2007: For High School Musical 2.
- Teen Choice Awards 2009: Choice Movie: Music/Dance for High School Musical 3: Senior Year.
