Entertainment TV 'HSMTMTS' Creator Teases the Show's Plans to Give Olivia Rodrigo's Character 'a Proper Sendoff' Season 3 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series premieres July 27 on Disney+ By Dory Jackson Dory Jackson Instagram Twitter Website Dory Jackson is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE's digital TV team. While at the brand, she's had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She also recaps popular TV shows like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules.The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus in Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. She also previously co-hosted a podcast called "Idol Nation." People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 21, 2022 06:04 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Randy Holmes/ABC/Getty High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is preparing to bid farewell to star Olivia Rodrigo. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, series creator and showrunner Tim Federle teased what's next for Rodrigo's character Nini in the upcoming third season. While her East High classmates will be off at Camp Shallow Lake, Nini will embark on her own separate journey. Last season concluded with Nini receiving an opportunity to go to Los Angeles to explore her songwriting aspirations. "I think she's ready to explore the world outside the halls of East High," Federle said of Nini, who was previously confirmed to have a smaller presence in season 3. "And Olivia herself was having such a monumental explosion in the music industry that it felt like the right thing to, frankly, work with Olivia to say, 'How do we get you out there into the world with us taking a little bit more of a backseat?' Which we were all proud to do to support her." Federle then explained that "this season it's about trying to give her character a proper sendoff while also leaving room for other characters to really step into the fray and step into the spotlight." Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Basset. Walt Disney Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock From Breaking Records to Graduating High School: A Look Back at Olivia Rodrigo's Amazing Year "Personally, it's a joy to see Olivia's music explode in such a big way," he added. "It was so fun to have her back and reminisce on the beginning." Rodrigo, 19, has been a part of HSMTMTS since its debut season in 2019. During her time on the show, she garnered massive mainstream success with her hit single "Drivers License" and freshman album Sour. Rodrigo, who had recently been touring in support of Sour, won three of her seven Grammy nominations in April. Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images At this time, Rodrigo is dating 26-year-old music executive Zack Bia. She split from boyfriend Adam Faze earlier this year. "They've been dating since the Super Bowl," a source recently told PEOPLE of Rodrigo and Bia. "They really like each other." Rodrigo is also working on new music. "It's definitely a different experience writing a second album after having a debut that was so well received," she told Billboard in February. "I still write so much of my music in my bedroom though, and I don't think that experience will ever change. Writing songs will hopefully always be an outlet for me to process my feelings before anything else." Season 3 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series premieres July 27 on Disney+.