Monique Coleman

Monique Coleman (born Adrienne Monique Coleman on 1980-11-13) is an American actress and dancer best known for her iconic role as Taylor McKessie in the High School Musical franchise. Born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, she began performing at a young age, training at the Workshop Theater School of Dramatic Arts and appearing in more than fifteen stage productions before moving to Chicago for higher education. She earned a BFA in Acting from DePaul University’s Theater School in 2002, where she honed her craft in both classical and contemporary works. Coleman's film debut came in 1995 with the independent feature Mother of the River, and she quickly gained recognition with a Young Artists Award nomination for her performance in the Family Channel movie The Ditchdigger's Daughter. While still in high school, she demonstrated remarkable initiative by writing, directing, producing, and starring in a solo play titled "Voices from Within," showcasing her versatility beyond acting. Her early career included notable stage credits in Chicago such as Noises Off, Polaroid Stories, The Real Thing, and The Colored Museum, as well as television guest spots on series like Boston Public, Gilmore Girls, and Malcolm in the Middle. In 2006, Disney cast her as Taylor McKessie, a role that propelled her to worldwide fame and led to appearances in High School Musical sequels, Disney Channel Games, and the High School Musical edition of the 3‑Minute Game Show. That same year she competed on Dancing with the Stars, finishing fourth alongside professional partner Louis van Amstel, and later recorded the holiday track "Christmas Vacation" for a Disney compilation. Beyond entertainment, Coleman has been a vocal advocate for youth empowerment, serving as a United Nations Youth Champion in 2010 and collaborating with DoSomething.org to teach social‑media activism. Her personal life includes a marriage to Walter Jordan in 2012, which ended in divorce in 2022, and she continues to work in film, television, and philanthropic initiatives.