Nude Pose of Vanessa Hudgens, Good Girls Gone Bad
December 4th, 2006 Posted by: Dr. Cox
A nude photo is floating around the Web of Vanessa Hudgens, the 18-year-old star of “High School Musical 2″ and squeaky-clean “it” girl for the tweener set. Rep for Hudgens, 18, told tmz.com that the photo was taken privately. “It is a personal matter and it is unfortunate that this has become public.” She wouldn’t say anything about who took the picture and how it slipped out onto the Internet.
The Disney Channel (part of the Walt Disney Co.) denied a published report that Hudgens will be dropped from the upcoming feature film “High School Musical 3.” That movie is in development and negotiations with the stars are incomplete.
Disney had no further comment about the pictures.
The Vanessa Hudgens nude photograph, which shows the 18-year-old posing nude in a bedroom, is provoking some younger fans to reconsider their loyalty to the actress, and has parents wondering how to explain to their kids that their favorite television personality isn’t as innocent as they’d once thought.Hudgen is a superstar among the preteen set, and Disney has spun a wide merchandising net around the series with albums and concert tours. She and Efron reportedly date in real life, making them big attractions for celebrity magazines.
The films’ wholesome nature — for a company that has made its name on family-friendly fare for generations — is a big part of its success. Parents can relax with their children watching, knowing it won’t make for any uncomfortable questions. Hudgens’ character in the movies, Gabriella Montez, is known for being a math and science genius, according to the show’s Web site, and she is also the love interest of teen heartthrob Zac Efron. Hudgens and Efron are believed to be dating in real life, too.
“I want to apologize to my fans, whose support and trust means the world to me,” said Hudgens. “I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends.”
“That’s her private life, not her public life. That picture got leaked by somebody who broke a trust with her,” said Michele Smith of Westborough, Mass., whose eight-year-old daughter Kathryn is a devoted “High School Musical” fan.
Hudgens shouldn’t have to pay a price for the incident, Smith said, adding she was concerned that Disney’s image might prompt the company to take action against the actress.
Instances like Hudgens’ naked photograph, as well as the predicaments headline regulars like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton often find themselves in, can provide good opportunities for parents to talk to their kids about making smart decisions.
“Use it as a discussion point,” said Karen Zager, a psychologist who specializes in parenting and adolescents. “You want [these instances] to empower kids to make good choices for themselves, and you want to turn it into a learning experience, not something to be snickered or laughed about.”
