Vanessa Hudgens is looking forward to performing at the Hollywood Bowl — in fact, she’s just looking forward to seeing the venue for the first time.
The 21-year-old actress admitted to Access Hollywood that she has never been to the famed stage, despite being scheduled to perform there in the musical “Rent” in less than a month, when her three-night run begins on August 6.
“Right now it’s just another stage. If I saw it, I would be freaked out,” she told Access on Saturday at the kickoff for Neutrogena’s Wave for Change campaign in Los Angeles.
“I mean it, it’s amazing. I’m just honestly trying not to think about it. I’ve never been to a show at the Hollywood Bowl so it’s just gonna be another stage. And I just love performing, so I just can’t wait to be up there,” the actress added.
With less than a month before she steps into the role of Mimi in the production — which is being directed by Neil Patrick Harris — Vanessa also revealed she’s yet to officially practice for the part.
“We still have not started rehearsals. We only have about 10, 11 days of rehearsal so I’m just learning all the songs, making sure I know them in and out, so when I go all they have to do is tell me where to stand and how to move,” she revealed.
Vanessa also gushed about her role, Mimi, which has previously been played by Daphne Rubin-Vega (who originated the role), Rosario Dawson (who played her in the 2005 film), and even Spice Girl Mel B.
“Oh my god, I love the part of Mimi. She’s a phenomenal character, she’s such an amazing art, gets the best songs, and it’s just a lot of fun,” she enthused.
Besides her fabulous role, the leading lady of “High School Musical” also raved about boyfriend Zac Efron’s new movie, “Charlie St. Cloud”, which opens on July 30.
“Oh my god yeah, it’s amazing. I’m so excited for the world to see it. Everyone’s gonna be blown away,” Vanessa promised.
And if the storyline’s not enough, Zac’s shirtless scenes will certainly attract screaming fans to the theatres.
“Yeah I mean he, he has a great body,” Vanessa professed. “Just like everybody else has noticed obviously.”
Even though the two “High School Musical” alums are currently dating, Vanessa admitted to searching for photos of a young Zac on the Internet, including the particularly embarrassing ones that feature his once prominent gap teeth.
“I actually looked it up online. It was on the Internet but I do have other pictures of him,” she said, laughing.
She doesn’t, however, use the photos as a threat to remind her boyfriend of his humbler beginnings.
“No, no, no, no, my god no. He’s still the same guy I met,” Vanessa smiled.
Even though the two young starlets seem to be very much in love, Vanessa insisted that she is still too young to be settling down.
“I’m 21. It’s way too early. I’m happy,” she concluded.
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