A wildly energetic Christmas performance from 2007 featuring Ashley Tisdale has resurfaced online, sending fans of the High School Musical star into a nostalgic frenzy. The clip, from the iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in New York City, was recently shared on X and has been viewed millions of times.
A Performance Compared to Britney Spears
The video was posted this week by the popular nostalgia account @PopCulture2000s. The user captioned the post by humorously comparing Tisdale's spirited rendition of Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' to a performance by pop icon Britney Spears, specifically referencing her hit 'Gimme More'. In the now-viral footage, Tisdale, then 22, stuns in a grey turtleneck and a sparkling purple sequined dress.
Her delivery was anything but low-key. Tisdale infused the classic holiday tune with dramatic flair, incorporating sassy dance moves, a confident head bop, and plenty of hip-swinging. The performance even included a playful, flirty moment shared with her guitarist, much to the delight of the audience.
Fans React with Nostalgia and Humour
Despite the performance being over 15 years old, social media users have embraced its over-the-top charm. Many comments expressed a longing for the pop culture era of the mid-2000s. "This was an era we’ll never get back," one user lamented on X.
Others couldn't help but connect Tisdale's bold stage presence to her most famous role. "She isn’t Ashley, she’s Sharpay Iconic Evans," wrote one fan, referencing her character from the Disney franchise. Another added, "This is kind of the real life counterpart to how Sharpay used to perform." Even the guitarist received attention, with one person joking about "Fedora scarf guy."
A New Chapter as Ashley French
The resurgence of this festive clip comes just weeks after Tisdale, now 40, shared a significant personal update with her followers. In a candid TikTok video, the actress and singer revealed she has decided to start using her married name, Ashley French, publicly.
Tisdale has been married to musician Christopher French for 11 years and has used the name privately for some time. She explained that the change reflects her desire to step into a more authentic version of herself, especially as she navigates her 40s, motherhood, and life beyond her Disney fame. She shares two daughters, Jupiter, 4, and Emerson, 13 months, with her husband.
"I just felt like it was time for people to know me for me, and not just for a character or a celebrity," she stated. Tisdale also mentioned she has "so much to talk about" now, from parenting to running her wellness brand, which she has rebranded as By Ashley French. She described this platform as a more intentional and peaceful space for connection compared to the changing landscape of mainstream social media.
