NEWSAshley Tisdale's Not-So-Secret Crush
July 15 2008, Published 5:00 a.m. ET
Ask High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale who she's got on the brain and she answers without hestiation: "It's my dream to work with Shia Labeouf," she says. "I just think he's an amazing actor. I love his comedy and his drama work."
Tisdale acts more like a teen with a crush than one of young Hollywood's biggest stars. She's was featured on Maxim's Hot 1oo List and just recently had a doll made in her likeness, something she says was a bit strange.
"It's definitely weird seeing yourself as a Barbie," she tells AOL.com. "But they're cute, and I was a big Barbie fan growing up."
Tisdale's fame has risen considerably with the unstoppable success of High School Musical. Now back with its third installment, HSM3, the actress is under more scrutiny than celebs twice her age.
"I live my life the way I would normally," she says. "When I'm at home, I like to be with my family and my friends. The whole paparazzi thing gets annoying at times. They always want to feed on the negatives, and twist things. But over the years, I've gotten a really thick skin. I try not to pay much attention to it."
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So how has HSM3 affected the franchise?
"The musical numbers are even bigger, and everything is amazing and beautiful," Tisdale reveals. "When we were doing the first movie, the set had this little glitter ladder. And then by the second one, we stepped it up with that cool pink baby grand piano. The set for the third one is even more extravagant."
Another new thing this time around is a new, soon-to-premiere High School Musical reality competition hosted by Nick Lachey.
"Nick Lachey was actually filming some of the show in Utah when we were there filming 'HSM 3.' ", Ashley says. "I'm excited to see it. I think it's going to be really cool. Although I think that's kind of a scary thing, being on a reality show. You just open yourself up for the world to see."
