While you can watch the new High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+ right now, you can also check out the original High School Musical trilogy, which follows a group of high schoolers as they balance their passions while navigating their final years at East High.
These popular films featured an ensemble cast but at the center of it all was smart girl Gabriella Montez and basketball-playing Troy Bolton. While the latter of these two characters gained a ton of fans, not everything he did was okay.
We're here to take a closer look at why Troy was the star of the series as well as why he was less-than-perfect.
Best: He Quit Caring What Other People Thought
Troy is introduced as the basketball guy in the original High School Musical. This is why he has such a hard time thinking of himself as something else — like the singing guy — when he discovers his passion for music (and Gabriella, of course).
Though he struggles throughout High School Musical to come to grips with his dueling passions, he eventually tells his dad that he cares about music and continues to pursue it throughout the series, even if Gabriella has to push him at times.
Worst: He Had An Ego
Troy is a great character except for when he knows he’s a great character.
In High School Musical 2, he gives Gabriella a necklace with the letter “T” on it for Troy. Could he not have stuck with something more subtle like a heart? His personality continues to go downhill over the summer as he gains favor with the Evans family, bosses around his friends, and acts like a big shot.
Though Troy redeems himself, he retains his cocky air in High School Musical 3. Though the team works together to win their final game, he proudly kisses the trophy as if he’s the star.
Best: He Stuck To His Commitments
In High School Musical 2, Troy is manipulated into singing a song with Sharpay at the Midsummer's Night Talent Show. Despite confronting Sharpay about this at one point, he ends up coming back around and tells her that he’ll perform at the show if the Wildcats can. Sure, Ryan pulls a little switch-a-roo and trades out Sharpay with Gabriella, but Troy was still willing to sing with Sharpay anyway.
He continues to stick to his promises in the third film. Through Gabriella goes to Stanford early after being accepted into an early admissions program, he drives far to see her on the evening of prom in order to have his own dance with her.
Worst: He Was A Liar
Troy has a lying problem. In the original film, Troy tells his friends that Gabriella means nothing to him, and she sees it on video. This was a hurtful and untrue sentiment, expressed only to score the approval of his team.
In High School Musical 3, he lies to “Rocket Man” about Sharpay, claiming that she has a secret crush on him. He says this only to get the freshman out of his hair.
Finally, one day when Troy and Gabriella are having a deep discussion at their house, Troy claims to her mom that they’re talking “homework” to throw her off track. Even Gabriella knew that he should have been honest.
Best: He Made His Own Decisions
Though Troy at times struggled to stand up for himself, he always followed his heart in the end.
During High School Musical 3, he debates whether he should go to the University of Albuquerque like his dad and Chad always wanted or if he should instead accept an offer from another college.
Despite feeling the pressure to do what other people want, he decides to attend the University of California, Berkley in order to play basketball, perform in theater, and be nearer to Gabriella.
Worst: He Participated In Hazing
While it was already unkind of Troy to lie to Rocket Man about Sharpay’s feelings, this wasn’t the only time he bullied the freshman.
Right after Rocket Man and his best friend Donnie get out of the shower, Troy and Chad tell them they can have their lockers, but they have to earn them first. The two then proceed to run away with their clothing, leaving Rocket Man and Donnie to chase the boys around while wearing nothing but towels. Troy and Chad disrupt a girls' volleyball game and theater practice, rightfully earning detention in the end.
Best: He Cared About Gabriella
Troy was by no means a perfect boyfriend, but he was a pretty good one. He was spontaneous and liked to surprise her with dates by the pool and on the golf course during High School Musical 2. In High School Musical 3, he dances with her on the roof of the school and surprises her with a couple of tickets to prom.
When she didn’t feel like traveling back to East High alone, he visited her at Stanford and drove her all back to the school all night so that they could perform in their final musical together. These actions show that Troy was willing to go the extra mile.
Worst: He Didn’t Obey Rules
Although Troy might have been fun, he definitely had a hard time listening to authority.
He’s late to the callbacks in the original High School Musical and expects Ms. Darbus to make an exception, he sneaks around the Lava Springs Country Club while on the job, and he broke into East High at night in the final film to "Scream" out his feelings.
Best: He Cared About His Friends
Though Troy’s friends shouldn’t have made him feel bad about himself for wanting to sing in the first film, Troy’s devotion to his team shouldn’t be overlooked.
In High School Musical 2, for example, he got all of his friends jobs at Lava Springs Country Club even when he didn’t have to. When they complain about the work, he even tries to bring them together and encourages them to look on the bright side.
When Sharpay excludes them from the Midsummer’s Night Talent Show, Troy stands up for them.
Worst: He Quit Caring About Others
Yes, Troy was usually a good friend, but there were times he didn’t pass the test, particularly in the second film.
Troy starts to blow off his friends and instead practice with the University of Albuquerque guys for a shot at a scholarship. While there’s nothing wrong with caring about his future, he should have found a way to balance his current life with his coming one.
Additionally, he was late to dates with Gabriella and shared a flirtatious moment or two with Sharpay even though he knew deep down he had zero interest in her. While this led Sharpay on, it was also uncomfortable for Gabriella.