It’s been more than 10 years since Vanessa Hudgens’ n*de photos were leaked to the public, and the actress is opening up about how that time made her feel.
In 2007, 18-year-old Hudgens’ privacy was compromised after a N-photo of her surfaced online about a year after “High School Musical” was released. At the time, the Disney actress issued a statement apologizing to fans and expressing regret for taking the photos.
In an interview with the Cosmopolitan UK published Friday, Hudgens said it was a traumatizing time for her.
“It was a really traumatizing thing for me. It’s really (expletive) up that people feel like they are entitled enough to share something that personal with the world,” the “Bad Boys for Life” actress said.
“As an actor, you completely lose all grip of your own privacy and it’s really sad,” she said. “It feels like that shouldn’t be the case, but unfortunately if enough people are interested, they’re going to do everything they can to get to know as much about you as they can, which is flattering, I guess, but then people take it too far and end up divulging things that should be personal.”
Hudgens lamented a lack of boundaries between fans and celebrities, in part because of television’s reach.
“I think that is because there’s a disconnect when you see your favorite actress on the screen, and you see them now on your TV in your homes, and you can watch them whenever you want,” she said. “There’s almost – I don’t want to say lack of respect because that sounds negative – but it just makes you feel like you know them even though you don’t.”
The actress, who’s now 31, also spoke about the #MeToo movement and shared that even though she’s been in inappropriate situations, she doesn’t shy away from letting people know they’re making her feel uncomfortable.
“I have been in situations where I’ve been talked to in inappropriate ways, but right then, in that moment, I was the person to just say,
‘No. Why would you say that? You’re completely out of line,’ ” Hudgens said. “I’m the type of person in any situation, whether it’s an audition or in work, if I feel uncomfortable, I’m going to walk away or let that person know they’re making me feel uncomfortable.
Then, if they don’t respect that, they can go (expletive) off. … As long as you hold your ground, no one will bring you down.”
