Kaycee Stroh

"Pop and lock" with Kaycee Stroh as she dishes to CosmoGirl about the cast’s tear-jerking moments, shares some music picks, and discusses Martha’s evolution to senior year — where she finds a new love interest that just might surprise you!

COMING FROM HAVING ONE LINE IN A SONG IN THE FIRST HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL TO NOW BEING ONE OF THE STARS OF THE FILM — WHAT IS THAT LIKE?

It’s amazing. It’s very overwhelming. Every day I get up and just think, I am so blessed. I get to do what I love, and I feel like everything happens for a reason. And I feel like I was put in the right situation at the right time, but the thing that I want others to know about is that you have to be prepared. Your moment will come, but I had to be prepared my whole life for that.

WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT THE THIRD MOVIE?

Absolutely. I’m excited and shocked for my character. She steps out even more in the movie. She finally gets a love interest — and the love interest might shock everyone a little bit!

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE CAST HAS EVOLVED ALONG WITH THE CHARACTERS?

It is great to see the difference in every single movie we’ve done. We’ve grown up and realized that along with our characters. It’s a fun contrast to see the beginning of this little Disney Channel TV movie, and now we’re making a big feature film. For us, it’s just a wonderful journey that we’ve been through. I feel like [in the third movie] we’re dealing with more real-life situations. [Being] 18 years old, that is so scary. You make a life decision for what you’re going to do after high school. At 18, I was so not ready to make such a decision.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE?

I remember, it was the very first movie and we were filming “We’re All in This Together,” and I looked over at [director] Kenny Ortega and his eyes were full of tears. He said, “We have something special here, this is special.” And that has lasted with me throughout the three movies. The other thing that I will always remember is making s’mores in the second movie. There’s nothing better in the world than s’mores! [The cast] went on a hiking trip, brought a CD player, and Corbin and I hooked up our iPods to it. We were up there all night long with the campfire, just talking. I remember singing other musical songs up there, like from Wicked. It’s almost like a second family, and I think I’ll hold that with me forever.

SO, WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

I wish I had time to listen to anything but High School Musical 3! It haunts me in my dreams. I love the new Britney Spears CD — yes, I confess! I work out to it every day. And I love my Chris Brown. I met him at the American Music Awards, and I really respect him as an artist. I love that he’s a dancer, singer, and actor. I’m a firm believer in the triple threat, so Chris Brown is my boy!