Asked what gives her the strength to make big life decisions, the 22-year-old actress told reporters in Los Angeles recently: "What gives me the courage to take big steps is the possibility that there are possibilities. For me, personally, I grew up in Russia, I moved to America when I was 7 and I was born in a little, tiny village with, like, 12 houses."

Rulin, who plays Kelsi Neilsen in the "HSM" franchise, said that "through a lot of work and a lot of luck" her parents were able to move the family to the United States.

"And we were given this world and I feel like anything is possible," Rulin said. "I came from a little house with no indoor plumbing; my father hunted for our food and I'm here now, working for the Disney Channel and I represent Mickey Mouse and that's awesome. And it just shows me that anything's possible if you have that courage and that inspiration in yourself, you can accomplish anything."

"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" has topped the U.S. box office for the past two weekends.