Monique Coleman

Monique Adrienne Coleman (born November 13, 1980) is an American actress best known for being one of the co-stars of the Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical, in which she plays Gabriella Montez's (Vanessa Hudgens) best friend Taylor McKessie. Coleman also has a recurring role on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, as London and Maddie's friend, Mary-Margaret. She also competed in the third edition of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, finishing in fourth place.Monique Coleman was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina and started her acting career in theatre and television at a very young age in Columbia, South Carolina. She currently lives in Los Angeles. Her training began at the Workshop Theatre School of Dramatic Arts where she performed in over 15 plays[1]. An acting class taught by a guest teacher actually turned out to be an audition, and resulted in her booking her first commercial. Coleman then began auditioning for anything she could in the Southeast region, landing several local and regional commercials as well as a few supporting roles in films. In addition to acting, Coleman was very involved in her community and school where she did everything from performing in plays to competing in forensic tournaments, volunteering with abused children, running track, and even cheerleading.
Coleman went to Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. Then, she attended The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, earning her BFA in Acting in 2002.