Olesya Yurivna Rulin was born on March 17, 1986, in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Russia). She emigrated to the United States with her family when she was eight years old, initially living in Licking County, Ohio, before settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. She received her education in Utah and graduated from West High School in 2005. Before pursuing acting, she worked at a Nordstrom department store.
Rulin began her acting career in the early 2000s, with small roles in television series and films. Her career gained significant momentum with her portrayal of Kelsi Nielsen in the Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical (2006). She reprised the role in both High School Musical 2 (2007) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008), solidifying her recognition among younger audiences.
Besides the High School Musical franchise, Rulin has appeared in a variety of films and television shows. Her film credits include Forever Strong (2008), Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2008), Flying By (2009), and Expecting Mary (2010). She also held a recurring role as Abby Carter in the ABC Family series Greek (2009-2011). She had a significant role in the PlayStation Network series Powers (2015-2016) as Calista Secor.
While Rulin has not received major industry awards, her performance in the High School Musical franchise contributed to the series’ overall success, which garnered several accolades, including Primetime Emmy Awards. Her consistent work in film and television has established her as a recognizable actress, particularly among fans of the Disney Channel.