Whatever happened to Jason and Kelsi in High School Musical 3?
By Andi Ortiz
This year marks the 10th anniversary of High School Musical 3: Senior Year. It’s time to figure out what happened to a certain East High couple.
It’s been 12 years since we first met the East High Wildcats, and yes, the choreography to “We’re All In This Together” is still ingrained in my muscle memory.
Disney Channel’s High School Musical was an instant hit, teaching young viewers that they can break the status quo and be whoever they want to be. It also introduced the power couple of the early 2000s: Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez.
TOKYO – JANUARY 28: Actress Vanessa Hudgens (R) whispers to actor Zac Efron during the ‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year’ Japan Premiere at Shinagawa Stellar Ball on January 28, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
The best part was it wasn’t just an on-screen romance. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were together for years in real life. Their chemistry, plus a stellar supporting cast, led to two sequels. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the third installment, High School Musical 3: Senior Year.
In this one, the Wildcats are quickly approaching graduation, adulthood, and dealing with the inevitable terror that comes with that. Luckily they’ve got one big high school moment left: prom.
As promposals go, Troy’s was, well, lacking. He never actually asked Gabriella to go with him. To his credit, he did make it personal, it was just… subtle. But, next to Ryan Evans’s promposal, it was really, really weak.
In one of the cutest numbers of the franchise, Ryan asks Kelsi to the dance as they sing the latest song she’s written.
It’s a heartwarming moment. Just one question: WHAT HAPPENED TO JASON?
The Sunken HSM Ship
Sure, Troy and Gabriella were the star couple of East High. Chad and Taylor were a close second. But the quiet, adorable chemistry between Jason and Kelsi was undeniable. The couple was so loved that there’s even #Jelsi fanfiction out there — yes, really.
Let’s take it all the way back to the beginning. The spark between the two first appeared at the end of HSM. Just before the drums kick off the finale, Jason takes Kelsi’s hat and helps her shoot a basket.
Things presumably go well after that, as the two are paired off all through High School Musical 2. Even in the final scene, where literally everyone is coupled up, Kelsi is with Jason. In the same shot, Ryan is with Martha.
But, come senior year, Jason is the one asking Martha to prom. It doesn’t make any sense.
Granted, there’s an argument for Ryan and Kelsi’s compatibility. He’s a choreographer, she’s a songwriter. Together they can create an incredible show. They even end up at Juliard together, both on scholarship.
Jason was always portrayed as a bit duller, making adorably naive comments to Ms. Darbus. Still, he had a good heart. He clearly had big ambitions too – when the gang has to “Work This Out,” Jason mentions he wants to make motion pictures.
So did the rest of the summer fall apart for Jelsi? Was Ryan Evans actually “Mr. Steal Your Girl?”
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Now, a fourth HSM is in the works. It’s set to have all new characters, but some closure on Jelsi would be appreciated.