Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron Once Had a Date With 1 Unexpected Celebrity as a ‘Third Wheel’

Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron were one of the hottest celebrity couples of the 2000s. The two of them played love interests in the High School Musical film series, and they ended up dating in real life.

Hudgens and Efron broke up many years ago, but Hudgens recently talked about her relationship. Fans learned that she and Efron went on a date with one unexpected celebrity as a “third wheel.”

How long did Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron’s relationship last?

Hudgens and Efron had instant chemistry when they auditioned for the first High School Musical movie.

Efron once told People (via Elite Daily), “I was like, ‘They’re not trying us with other people. For some reason, we kept sticking around [for callbacks]. I don’t know what it was with Vanessa, but we kind of clicked from the very beginning.”

Many fans supported the couple, but they broke up in 2010 after about five years together. 

Hudgens told Shape in 2011 that their work forced them to be separated a lot, which took a toll on their relationship. She said, “Long-distance relationships are hard no matter what. When you don’t have face-to-face time, it’s just different. Having an iPhone helped, but it just wasn’t the same.”

Additionally, Hudgens revealed to the New York Times in 2015 that she had a hard time dealing with Efron’s status as an in-demand heartthrob.

“I went through a phase when I was really mean because I was so fed up,” Hudgens said. “Girls were running after him, and I was giving them death stares. Then I realized that’s not what that’s about. ‘Spread the love, be a good person, they support you, be nice.’”

Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron had a ‘third wheel’ on a date once

When Hudgens and Efron were still together, they no doubt had some fun moments. In fact, she talked about one of these moments on The Drew Barrymore Show.

“It’s so nice to see you. I was just thinking about, back in the day, we went to a Kings of Leon concert together—you, me and Zac Efron,” Barrymore said. “And it was one of the funnest nights of my life.”

Hudgens agreed, sharing that she still talks about that night. She remarked, “That was such a wild time.”

Barrymore also joked that she was Hudgens and Efron’s “third wheel” and noted about the couple: “You guys were so cute and cozy and I just had the best time.”

Are Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron still friends?

Hudgens and Efron have both dated other people since their breakup. For example, Hudgens dated actor Austin Butler for nine years, and she is currently dating baseball player Cole Tucker. Meanwhile, Efron has dated a few women, such as Sami Miro, Halston Sage, Sarah Bro, and Vanessa Valladares.

As for whether Hudgens and Efron still keep in touch, Hudgens told Access Hollywood in 2017 that the answer is “no.”

“That’s not… not a thing that happens,” she said. When asked again if they talk much, Hudgens reiterated, “No, I completely lost contact with him.”