When the cast list for High School Musical was posted, Mikayla Casteel stood in shock. In her second-ever production, she was Sharpay Evans, the self-absorbed, lead antagonist.

“In my first play, I was three background characters: a guitarist, hobo and an old doll,” Casteel said. “So, the jump from that to being one of the four main characters was an exciting but very scary thing.”

On paper, Casteel fits the role perfectly; she’s sassy, funny, bold and loves pink. However, Casteel faced her own set of challenges.

“I think it started after my 14th birthday,” Casteel said. “I didn’t eat for two days.”

The disordered eating started last July, when she was ghosted by her partner at the time. 

“That put me in a really dark place,” Casteel said. “Stress makes your mind go through so many things, and the only thing I thought I could control was food.” 

This continued for months. Hardly eating left Casteel with little energy. So, long hours of rehearsing took its toll on her body.

“We were dancing and singing for hours,” Casteel said. “I had to sit down probably four or five times a practice because I felt like I was going to pass out. There were even times where everything would go black.” 

Being in the spotlight also magnified the way she saw herself. Having a filled auditorium staring at her made Casteel feel even more self-conscious.

“When I had to go out onto the stage in the salsa dress, it was scary,” Casteel said. “I thought that because I viewed myself that way, everyone else would too. And that made me nervous, and judged.” 

This forced Casteel to confront her insecurities head-on. Everybody loves Sharpay. Playing her means requires the scariest, most sure-of-themselves person in the production. 

“Restricting gave me a false sense of confidence,” Casteel said. “But being Sharpay needed a different kind of confidence.” 

Rehearsals showed Casteel that her behavior was unsustainable. Every dance and costume fitting made it harder to ignore.

“That’s when I realized I didn’t need to be doing this,” Casteel said. “Because I was burning a bunch of calories that just weren’t there. It just wasn’t healthy.”

Over time, Casteel started to feel like Sharpay. The character’s unapologetic, sassy energy became second nature. What started as performance ended as a new sense of self-worth.

“Being Sharpay channels my sassiness and confidence even more,” Casteel said. “Now, when I’m brushing my hair or getting ready for school, I tell myself I’m beautiful. Not in a cocky way, but in a ‘love yourself’ way.”

After her final performance as Sharpay, the fear that once controlled her relationship with food began to fade. For the first time in months, she felt truly confident.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I used to think I was ugly, unattractive and just wasn’t confident overall,” Casteel said. “I don’t even think [my past self] would recognize me.”