Frankie Rodriguez Of ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The Entertainment Industry
1. The amount of rejection you’ll face is much higher than you think. I would say triple what you expect.
2. Don’t get too attached to certain projects or roles you really want, because sometimes those things don’t even end up getting made.
3. Be prepared for a lot of waiting. It’s a big part of the industry.
4. Don’t wait for anyone else to get something going. Do it yourself.
5. Get really comfortable with the people you’re starting out with, because hopefully, you’ll all be together for a long time.
I had the pleasure of talking with Frankie Rodriguez. Frankie is a prominent actor, singer, performer, and entrepreneur, renowned for his portrayal of Carlos in the Emmy-nominated Disney+ series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” Starring alongside Olivia Rodrigo, Rodriguez brings to life the character of Carlos, a spirited and self-assured student choreographer. The series, a successful spinoff of Disney’s High School Musical movie saga, is celebrated for its dynamic musical numbers and captivating choreography. Rodriguez’s role is significant as Carlos represents the first openly gay character in the High School Musical franchise.
Born in Selma, California, Rodriguez grew up in a musical family that nurtured his passion for the arts. The youngest of three siblings, he eventually moved to Fresno, where he attended grade school and later transferred to a private school in Sanger, earning his high school diploma. Rodriguez pursued his passion for performance by obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). His Mexican heritage and deep connection to his cultural roots have profoundly influenced his artistic journey.
Rodriguez’s career in entertainment began with roles in various web series and television shows, including “Modern Family” and “This Close.” His breakthrough came in 2019 when he was cast as Carlos Rodriguez in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”
In addition to his acting career, Rodriguez has ventured into the entrepreneurial world as the CEO and creative director of his nail polish brand, Freeland. Launched during Pride Month on June 25th, Freeland is inspired by Rodriguez’s love for beauty and his Instagram Live sessions, where he would paint his nails and engage with a large audience. The brand offers a line of five vibrant, rainbow-themed nail polishes, emphasizing self-expression, creativity, and individuality. Freeland aims to be a colorful and inclusive space where everyone is welcome to celebrate their unique style.
As Rodriguez’s career continues to evolve, he remains focused on new and exciting projects. He is set to star in the upcoming Hulu comedy series “Chad Powers,” alongside Glen Powell, Steve Zahn, and Perry Mattfeld. This new role signifies another milestone in his already impressive career. Simultaneously, Rodriguez is devoted to expanding Freeland and exploring innovative ways to engage with his audience.
Rodriguez’s interests extend beyond acting and entrepreneurship. He enjoys reality television, particularly the Housewives franchise, and has a penchant for painting his nails and traveling to tropical destinations. His multifaceted personality and diverse interests contribute to his relatability and appeal to a broad audience.
Yitzi: It’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Frankie: I grew up in Selma, California, which is the dead center of California. The next biggest city is Fresno. I typically just tell people I’m from Fresno, but I was born and raised in Selma, California. It’s the raisin capital of the world, so as you can imagine, there are lots of vineyards and not much else to do. But I grew up in a very musical family, and that’s where I got into performing. That transitioned into being on stage and eventually doing film and television. So yeah, that’s my upbringing in a nutshell.
Yitzi: You must have some pretty amazing experiences and stories. Can you share with us one or two of your favorite memories from your professional career in entertainment?
Frankie: One or two of my favorite memories? Oh my gosh. Well, I always try to remind myself of my first real day as a professional actor. I graduated college on a Saturday, so Monday was my first official day. That day, I got an audition for a Coca-Cola commercial, and I thought, “This is it. This is how it was meant to be.” On that same day, I also got an audition for a Taco Bell commercial. I was so excited and stoked. I always try to keep that perspective and remember that any opportunity is an exciting opportunity. It helps me love this business, even when things get a little crazy.
The second story would probably be when I got the call that I booked “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” I was on my way to a commercial audition, driving down La Brea, when my agent called and said, “You’re moving to Salt Lake City.” I was like, “Wait, does that mean I got it?” Those are some of my favorite memories, I think.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting out and the lesson you learned from it?
Frankie: Oh, my gosh. Yes, I’m definitely not a perfectionist. I operate with the mindset that whatever’s going to happen will happen, and I try to be as prepared for life as possible. Sometimes mistakes can lead to great things, and you might have to pivot to get there. It’s hard to pinpoint one big mistake in my career, but as an actor, you’re often presented with opportunities, and it’s up to you to decide whether to take the audition or the job. Sometimes I wonder if taking a different job would have led to something else. But overall, I love mistakes — they’re great teachers.
Yitzi: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. We love hearing stories where somebody a little further ahead opens a door and creates an opportunity for someone, changing their life. Do you have a story like that, either someone doing that for you or you doing it for another person and impacting their career?
Frankie: The first person that comes to mind is Tim Federle, the showrunner of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” He really took a chance on all of us. Most of us were very unknown, and this was our first big show. I would say he opened that first door for us, and everything took off from there.
Yitzi: You have so much impressive work, Frankie. What are some of the exciting projects you’re working on now, and where do you see yourself in the near future?
Frankie: Yeah, so I’m going into production for a new show on Hulu called “Chad Powers” very soon. That’s on the docket. I also just launched my own line of nail polishes called Freeland, which are available at lovefreeland.com. I’m getting everything together for that, and there are many more launches and surprises throughout the rest of the year. I’m really excited about it all.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. Do you want to share with us why you started this brand? Do you have a personal, strong connection to nail polish?
Frankie: Yeah. During the pandemic, I went live on Instagram, painted my nails, and invited anyone to join. To my surprise, people did, and even more surprisingly, they painted their nails too. I wanted to amp that up in 2024 and thought about partnering with an existing brand or doing a giveaway. Then I had the idea to start my own line, which blossomed into what we now know as Freeland.
Yitzi: How would you say your brand is different from the other hundreds of nail polish brands?
Frankie: Yeah, for sure. There are a lot of them. But one thing I’ve honed in on is the sense of community that comes with the brand. We do these nail painting party lives, making it more interactive. It feels like there’s a face to the brand and almost a working relationship with it. That was very important to me. I think that’s one way we stand out as a brand — it should always feel like a party, and everybody’s invited.
Yitzi: OK, you’re most known from “High School Musical” and you have a cult following. In your opinion, what was it that captured people’s hearts and minds about the series?
Frankie: I think the sense of nostalgia was a big factor for people who grew up with “High School Musical.” But once the show came out, I think people really attached themselves to the diverse characters and their different identities. It made it easy for a lot of people to connect with the series. So I’d say that’s probably what people clung to.
Yitzi: What lessons do you think our society can take from the themes of “High School Musical”?
Frankie: Oh, my gosh. The overarching theme of “High School Musical” is “we’re all in this together,” and I feel like that really captures it all in a cheesy but true way. In “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” we also had a song called “Born to Be Brave,” which encompasses the idea that we’re all in this together and we’re all here to be brave.
Yitzi: How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Frankie, with the character of Carlos that you play in the series? How are you similar and how are you different?
Frankie: Oh, gosh, we’re very similar in a lot of ways. I grew up a theater kid, so I would definitely compare my high school self to Carlos. They’re definitely similar in that sense. But in terms of differences, I feel like Carlos takes a lot more risks and probably breaks the rules a lot more than I did.
Yitzi: Great. OK, this is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started, do you have five things you know now that you wish someone had told you when you first started in the entertainment industry?
Frankie: Wow, five things. OK, here they are:
1. The amount of rejection you’ll face is much higher than you think. I would say triple what you expect.
2. Don’t get too attached to certain projects or roles you really want, because sometimes those things don’t even end up getting made.
3. Be prepared for a lot of waiting. It’s a big part of the industry.
4. Don’t wait for anyone else to get something going. Do it yourself.
5. Get really comfortable with the people you’re starting out with, because hopefully, you’ll all be together for a long time.
Yitzi: Can you share with our readers any of the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind, and heart to thrive?
Frankie: My self-care involves maintaining a balance between work and life. The work I’ve chosen is fun and exciting, so it’s tempting to immerse myself in it all the time. But it’s important to step away and focus on yourself. One thing I’ve always loved doing is painting my nails. It’s a nice way to zone in — you’re there for an hour and can’t move. So, I think it’s about checking in with yourself but also knowing when to check out.
Yitzi: That’s great. OK, this is our aspirational question. Frankie, because of your great work and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Frankie: If I could spread an idea to bring the most good to the most people, I would share a quote from my favorite musical, “Into the Woods.” One of the characters says, “It’ll all be all right in the end. You’ll see.” I carry that with me because no matter what’s going on, this phase of life will pass and everything will be OK.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. So this is what we call a matchmaker question and sometimes it works. We’re very blessed that prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US with whom you’d like to have a power lunch or coffee with, or to collaborate with? We could tag them on social media and maybe connect you.
Frankie: You know, if we’re going big, I would have a lot of questions for Oprah. So let’s say Oprah.
Yitzi: Wonderful. How can our readers continue to follow your work on social media? How can they support you and purchase products from your brand?
Frankie: You can follow me on Instagram at Frankie Rodriguez, and you can also follow Freeland at Love Freeland Co on Instagram. To make a purchase, visit LoveFreeland.com.
Yitzi: Amazing. Frankie, it’s been a joy and a pleasure to meet you. I wish you continued success and hope we can do this again next year.
Frankie: Yeah. Thank you. Nice talking to you.
Frankie Rodriguez Of ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ On Five Things You Need To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.