Back in September 2007, a slew of nude photos of then-18-year-old Vanessa Hudgens were leaked online, and the actress is reflecting on the horrible breach of privacy in a new interview with Cosmopolitan UK.
“It was a really traumatizing thing for me. It’s really f—ed up that people feel like they are entitled enough to share something that personal with the world,” she told the publication. “As an actor, you completely lose all grip of your own privacy and it’s really sad. 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.”
“I think that is because there’s a disconnect when you see your favourite actress on the screen, and you see them now on your TV in your homes, and you can watch them whenever you want,”she continued. “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.”
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At the time, Hudgens apologized to her fans, noting that she was “embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends.”
However, nowadays, Hudgens has a much more positive view on herself. “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,” she explained. “Then, if they don’t respect that, they can go f off. If someone doesn’t like that, literally they can f%@k off. As long as you hold your ground, no one will bring you down.”
Read the full interview here.