“Start of Something New” is used five times throughout the first season of the series and bridges the series to the earlier films. It first appears as an instrumental version when Nini, one fo the series’ main characters, deliberates over auditioning, which subtly suggests a fresh start in her acting career while evoking nostalgia for the original franchise. Nini auditions with this song later in the series while wearing a red dress, which is again a nod to Gabriella’s red dress in the original film. Ricky, another main character, also watches Troy perform the song to prepare for his own audition. These recurring references reinforce the connection between the original HSM and the new series. In his article titled “Stick to the Status Quo? Music and the production of nostalgia on Disney+”, author Toby Huelin explains that the mix nostalgia and newness throughout the series appeals to new teen audiences discovering the franchise, as well as older viewers revisiting their childhoods.