Monique Coleman Biography:

Actress Monique Adrienne Coleman was born on November 13, 1980 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is a graduate of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and DePaul University's Theater School, from where she earned her fine arts degree in acting. She got her first taste of acting when she performed on stage and in television in Columbia, South Carolina. Coleman received her training from the Workshop Theatre School of Dramatic Arts, where she acted in more than 15 productions. Since then, Coleman has gone on to take on bigger and more challenging roles both on the big and small screens. She made her film debut on the independent film, Mother of the River, and two years later garnered a nomination for a Young Artists Award of Hollywood for her work on The Ditchdigger's Daughters. In 2006, her performance on the made-for-tv movie, The Reading Room, won her a Camie Award, and she was able to capture the role of Taylor McKessie in the Disney hit High School Musical. From there, Coleman made appearances in several television shows such as The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Boston Public, Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the Middle, Married to the Kellys and Veronica Mars.

Coleman's musical prowess was also showcased on the third season of Dancing with the Stars, where she and her partner, Louis van Amstel, danced their way through the competition with graceful and sometimes risky moves. They were eliminated on the same week they achieved their highest score in the competition-a 29 out of 30- ultimately placing fourth in the competition. Coleman is also slated to appear in the 2008 feature film of High School Musical 3: Senior Year. She will reprise her role as Taylor McKessie. She also appeared on tour with High School Musical: The Concert, as well as hosting Disney Channel's 3 Minute Game Show. (Photo courtesy of ABC)