Stanley Simons Started Singing ‘High School Musical’ To Zac Efron While Filming A “Serious” Scene In ‘The Iron Claw’: “It Would Be A Disservice To Anyone From My Generation If I Didn’t”

By Samantha Nungesser @samjnungesser
Published Dec. 21, 2023, 12:34 p.m. ET

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Actor Stanley Simons had his head in the game when he surprised Zac Efron with an impromptu performance of “Breaking Free” in the middle of filming a “serious” scene for The Iron Claw.

The cast of the upcoming sports drama stopped by today’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, where they dished on Simons’ “funny” tribute to Efron and his iconic role in the High School Musical franchise.

“I think it would be a disservice to anyone from my generation if I didn’t do something,” Simons said of his tribute, which happened while they were filming a “live party scene.”

Simons continued, “I was playing music. And the night before, I learned the chords to ‘Breaking Free’ and I gave a little rendition in front of Zac.”

According to Efron — who was still donning shades due to his eye infection — Simons started singing the song right before he had to be “serious,” although he noted that “it was pretty funny.”

The actor was only 18 years old when he starred in the first High School Musical film as basketball star Troy Bolton, who changes the status quo when he hits it off with the nerdy Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) and they both audition for the school musical.

After nearly two decades, the franchise is still what most think of when they hear Efron’s name — and Clarkson, who won the first-ever season of American Idol, knows this feeling all too well.

“It’s been over 20 years but I still love when people are like, ‘I voted for you.’ I’m like, ‘Thank you!'” she said. “It’s one of those things that I think when people first get to know you, there’s something special about it.”

As for whether he “still love[s]” when High School Musical gets brought up, Efron confirmed that it “means the world” to him, adding that he ran into many fans when he unveiled his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this month.

“There were so many Wildcat jerseys out. The fans are still out there in force,” he said. “It’s fun though because they used to be really young. Now there’s like 40-year-old dudes out there. So it’s awesome. I love it. I’m very grateful.”

You know what they say: once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.

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