High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale has joined her friend Miley Cyrus in rejecting any idea that Disney stars should be role models for their young fans.
"That's not my job," she explains, swishing her brunette mane. "I'm here to entertain, not educate. I don't want them thinking they have to be me. I'm not perfect."
This, from a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Ashley Tisdale, without a gleaming hair out of place after a London publicity circuit that has had her on the move since 5am. But while she might not wish to intimidate her young fans, they'll have to aim high to match the actress's already impressive CV.
Along with Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale made singing in corridors cool again, the trio's High School Musical series bringing them worldwide tweenage adulation and probably responsibility for bringing the Glee phenomenon to our TV screens.
Now, Tisdale's stepping out on her own, taking her big-screen character Sharpay on a New York telemovie adventure with no school prefect in sight. Is she intimidated by this weight of responsibility on young shoulders?
"Not at all. There are so many great people working around me, and I know the role so well, it was really not a responsibility – it was just exciting to be in New York and have Sharpay doing different things."
Just to prove she's happy to carry the solo can, Tisdale has added the string of executive producer on this project to her bow. Plus, she's already working on future projects, a telemovie about relationship experts, Miss Advised, and adding her voice to animation Phineas and Ferb.
Ashley Tisdale's obviously paving the way for a long and happy Hollywood residence, so whose professional footsteps does she wish to step in – Katherine Hepburn for Oscars? Meryl Streep for enduring respect? Barbra Streisand for singing and acting versality? Actually, it's someone a little closer to her Disney home.
"I'm really impressed with the way Shia LaBoeuf's handled his career," she explains. "The way he's stepped out of his Disney roles and developed his range ... so that's something I'd really like to do."