When Disney Channel decided to release an entire show based on the High School Musical franchise from the early 2000s, it was easy to assume that the show was going to be a success.

Then, they decided to cast Olivia Rodrigo as Nini – and that ended up being one of the most brilliant choices they could’ve made!

Does Olivia relate to the character of Nini in any way at all? Here’s what you should know.

Olivia Rodriguez’s connection to Nini on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

While she was still actively filming the show, Olivia told POPSUGAR, “Nini is just a teenager who is growing up and trying to find her place in the world, and so am I. We have a lot of the same experiences and the same struggles. She struggles with finding her voice when she is cast as the lead in High School Musical, and I was cast as the lead in High School Musical in a totally different way, and I struggle with finding my voice and confidence, too. Life imitates art. We go through a lot of the same struggles, which is why it was so fun for me to write this song because I was really just writing from a place of personal truth.”

Based on what she said, it sounds like she’s much closer to Nini than anyone might’ve assumed at first glance.

As of now, Olivia is well beyond the stage of struggling to find her voice or level of confidence.

She’s sold out arenas, shows, and concerts over the last couple of years.

She’s dropped two successful albums full of songs that music lovers are absolutely obsessed with.

She’s filmed a multitude of incredible music videos that have amassed millions of views on YouTube.

Olivia‘s Instagram following currently sits at 37.7 million people who are keeping up with her content today. Her net worth currently sits at a healthy $16 million.

It’s safe to say that although Olivia might’ve related to Nini while she was filming High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, she has elevated to a new stage of life.

Although the world will never know what’s truly happening inside the mind of Olivia Rodrigo at any given moment, the way she portrays herself in the media says a lot about how self-assured she is at this juncture.

What do you think about Olivia‘s connection to Nini from her former Disney Channel show?

Do you feel like she still resonates with the character she once played at all? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.