Vanessa Hudgens On Life After Her Internet Photo Incident: ‘I’m Extremely Guarded’

Vanessa Hudgens has revealed she’s gotten very protective of herself since photos of the “High School Musical” star — sans clothing — cropped up on the Internet in 2007.

“That’s why I’m extremely guarded. I really do try to watch everything I say. Because one little tiny slip, and it’s like the world is coming to an end,” she told this Sunday’s edition of Parade magazine. “It is hard. I do always have a wall up. But I feel by doing it, I keep myself safe.”

Vanessa said another decision she’s made for herself out of protection is staying away from gossip Web sites.

“I try not to read the blogs or what people say about me. Because that’s what brings everybody down — no matter what you do, you’re always going to have haters,” she said.

But Vanessa will always have her mother – Gina Guangco – behind her. She is so close to her mom that Vanessa once cost Gina a job.

“I got her fired once. I was calling her at work way too much, because I missed her,” the actress revealed. “Back then, I was so shy, I did not want to leave her side. I would call her at work nonstop, to the point where she got fired. It was horrible.”

These days though, Vanessa is getting used to time on her own, having recently moved into her own home.

“It’s weird living by myself,” she told the mag. “I thought I’d be the person who, every time I hear a little noise, would hide under my bed. But I’ve fallen in love with my home. When I’m in there, I feel safe. I don’t think I’ve gotten scared once — knock on wood — in my house by myself. Then again, I do sleep with the TV on so that I don’t hear all the little clinks and clanks at night!”

Out in public, Vanessa admitted to another kind of fear – the paparazzi.

“I keep my head down. Usually I’ll run around in hoodies, and I’ve got this massive head of hair, and I throw it all in my face so that nobody can see me,” she said. “But if I want to do something, I’m going to do it, and if people recognize me, the fans, then great. They’re the reason why ‘High School Musical’ is what it is, and they’re the reason why I’m here, so I’m thankful.”