\n Sofia Wylie as Gina and Joshua Bassett as Ricky in \u2018High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.\u2019<\/span> Disney\/Fred Hayes<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series<\/i> <\/a>bid farewell to the East High wildcats in its season 4 finale, but not without seemingly honoring former costar Olivia Rodrigo<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n In the series finale, which dropped on Disney+ earlier this week, Ricky (Joshua Bassett<\/strong><\/a>) gets a sweet compliment that relates to Rodrigo IRL.<\/p>\n \u201cThat took guts \u2014 what you did back there,\u201d Gina\u2019s mom, Terri (played by Napiera Groves<\/strong>), said after Ricky professed his love for Sofia Wylie<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s character in song. \u201cGuts are good [and] maybe you were worth the wait.\u201d<\/p>\n While having \u201cguts\u201d is good for sharing feelings, it is also the name of Rodrigo\u2019s second album. Rodrigo, 20, starred as Nini \u2014 Ricky\u2019s first girlfriend \u2014 on the first two seasons of HSMTMTS<\/i>, ultimately exiting in the middle of season 3<\/a> as her budding singer-songwriter career started to take off in real life.<\/p>\n Rodrigo \u2014 who dropped her debut LP, Sour<\/i>, in 2021<\/a> \u2014 is slated to release Guts<\/i> on September 8. \u201cFor me, this album is about growing pains and trying to figure out who I am at this point in my life,\u201d she said in a press release in June<\/a> about her musical inspiration. \u201cI feel like I grew 10 years between the ages of 18 and 20 \u2014 it was such an intense period of awkwardness and change. I think that\u2019s all just a natural part of growth, and hopefully, the album reflects that.\u201d<\/p>\n While it has not been addressed if the \u201cguts\u201d line was a specific nod to Rodrigo, many fans immediately picked up on its potential allusion. \u201cOK, BUT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED???? \u2018GUTS are good.\u2019 Gosh Olivia its everyere [sic], even she is not on the show anymore, wow,\u201d one social media user tweeted<\/a> on Wednesday, August 9. \u201cHSMTMTS<\/i> cast is a Guts<\/i> stan and we knoww about that!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n Rodrigo did not appear in the fourth and final season of HSMTMTS<\/i><\/a>, though her character was mentioned quite a bit. In the penultimate episode, Ricky even noted that he was following Nina\u2019s tradition of handing out personalized cards to everyone in the drama club in advance of the school musical\u2019s opening night<\/a>. Show creator Tim Federle<\/strong><\/a>, however, did not plan to write an additional storyline for Nini after the character moved from Salt Lake City to California to pursue a career as a songwriter.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt really confident about that ending and Olivia is so busy with her songwriting career. At this point, we are introducing so many new people, the OG characters and we wanted to bring back other really important characters,\u201d Federle, 43, told Variety <\/i>on Wednesday, August 9.<\/a> \u201cI kind of felt like, with only eight episodes, it just becomes cameos as opposed to real stories. The offer was extended to her insomuch as Olivia knowing from me that she can always come back. But it was never really seriously discussed because there were new relationships we had to write for.\u201d<\/p>\n HSMTMTS<\/i> instead primarily focused on Ricky and Gina\u2019s relationship<\/a>. \u201cMy evolving thought is that Ricky and Gina are really in love for the first time together because they\u2019ve experienced some of the world,\u201d Federle exclusively told Us Weekly <\/i><\/a>earlier this month. \u201cThey\u2019ve gotten a little pushed down. So much happens and it\u2019s beautiful to be able to write this relationship<\/a> \u2014 no holds barred.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Did](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Did-High-School-Musical-The-Musical-The-Series-Include-Olivia-Rodrigo-Easter-Egg-in-Finale-Inline.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Olivia Rodrigo as Nini, Joshua Bassett as Ricky, Matt Cornett as E.J. and Sofia Wylie as Gina in \u2018High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.\u2019<\/span> Walt Disney Pictures\/Kobal\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n