Who Is Vanessa Hudgens’ New Boyfriend Cole Tucker and What Does He Have in Common With Her Ex Austin Butler?

Vanessa Hudgens is officially off the market — again. After seemingly hinting that she had a new man in her life back in November 2020, the High School Musical alum has confirmed that she is, in fact, dating someone who just so happens to have one thing in common with her ex-boyfriend, Austin Butler.

Vanessa Hudgens just made her romance with Cole Tucker Instagram official

Love was definitely in the air for Hudgens this past Valentine’s Day!

On Feb. 14, the actor confirmed her relationship with 24-year-old MLB player Cole Tucker by posting a sweet image of the pair sharing a kiss on the lips to her Instagram.

“It’s you, it’s me, it’s us,” she captioned the affectionate post, which the athlete commented under with, “Big love.”

The Princess Switch star and the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop were first linked back in November 2020 after they were spotted looking cozy as they dined out together in Los Angeles. 

“They had a romantic dinner outside under the stars,” an insider told E! News. “They shared wine and food and had a great two-hour meal. Vanessa was giddy with laughter. She was looking over at Cole and couldn’t contain her smile.”

At the time, Hudgens seemingly hinted that she was dating again as she shared a photo of herself dressed up and holding a rose to her Instagram with the caption, “Date night.”  

Two months later, an insider confirmed that the two were officially boyfriend and girlfriend after ringing in the new year together as a couple.

Vanessa Hudgens’ romance with Cole Tucker comes a few months after her split from Austin Butler

News of Hudgens’s relationship with Tucker comes a little over a year after she and her boyfriend of almost nine-years, Austin Butler, called it quits.

The actors first sparked romance rumors in September 2011, about a year after the Grease Live! star’s split from Zac Efron.

Following their first PDA session in 2011, Hudgens and Butler became inseparable, sharing a number of sweet moments together over the years. It was even rumored that the two were engaged at one point.

However, in the months leading up to their breakup, Hudgens and Butler were spending a lot of time apart. Hudgens had been overseas filming The Princess Switch 2, while Butler was believed to be starting production on Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic.

After the pair’s split was confirmed in January 2020, an insider revealed that their breakup came down to scheduling conflicts and long-distance issues.

“They’re just shooting on two different continents and it’s a matter of distance,” the insider told E! News.

But despite parting ways, sources noted that Hudgens and Butler remain on good terms. “There is no bad blood at all,” the source added. “They have a lot of respect for each other.”

What do Cole Tucker and Austin Butler have in common?

Now you’re probably wondering: What could Tucker and Butler possibly have in common other than they’ve both been linked to Hudgens?

Well, it turns out that both men are younger than the High School Musical alum. While Butler is 2 1/2 years younger than the “Say OK” singer, Tucker is eight-years Hudgens’ junior, making him the youngest celebrity she’s ever dated.