I honestly don’t know who this chick is except for the fact that she stars with Zach Efron in those High School Musical shows. She’s supposedly dating Efron, but the last woman he was said to be dating was his previous costar, Nikki Blonski from the Hairspray movie, and I tend to believe the rumors that he’s of the other persuasion.

In the last Enquirer there’s a story that Vanessa had some nude pics that she would be devastated if they got out, and low and behold, here they are. I know 18 year-old Hudgens is a teen star and is supposed to have a wholesome image, but I personally believe this whole nude photo thing was orchestrated for maximum publicity, especially considering that we were told that the photos were coming so that it could generate buzz.

Here’s the relevant excerpt from The Enquirer:

Naked pictures that star Vanessa Hudgens - intended only for costar/boyfriend Zac Efron - recently surfaced, and their discovery could bring down the wholesome Disney blockbuster that’s captivated millions of teen fans

“Vanessa took some suggestive shots of herself in the buff as a surprise for Zac,” a source told The Enquirer…

But [High School Musical, which has been a huge success[ could go down in a flaming scandal.

The Enquirer has learned that a third party has obtained the sexy pictures that were meant just for Vanessa and Zac.

“Vanessa’s only 19, [sic: according to IMDB she’s 18] so she had no idea how her flirtatious act could threaten the future of the multimillion-dollar plans Disney has for the show,” said the source.

“She just wanted to keep Zac interested!”

[The National Enquirer, print edition, September 10, 2007]

Now the Enquirer says in the September 10 issue, which came out last week, that the photos “recently surfaced ” Today is the first day they’ve hit the net, so I don’t see how they could have surfaced anywhere else if we weren’t all over them last week. It’s also suspect that they’re emphasizing that these pics were for Zac alone - as if it makes their relationship seem that much more legitimate.

This is a pretty damn wholesome naked picture, so I don’t see how it could ruin the “wholesome Disney blockbuster.” The young woman is standing smiling, there are no booze bottles or drugs visible in the background, and she’s not posing suggestively, wearing high heels, or even trimmed for bikini season. There is no one else in the picture leering or making gestures or trying to rub up on her.

In Europe we go to the coed saunas and nudity is matter of fact. I don’t think we should get to see everyone nude, but in my opinion I don’t see how a totally normal-posed nude picture is going to ruin anyone’s career. The girl is hot, it’s only going to help her image, and some PR person figured that out and set this all up.

It could have gone down like they claim, but I doubt it. Still, I might be wrong. I didn’t see the big deal with Janet Jackson’s boob flash either.

This is the same photo in different resolutions, thanks to Ninja Dude and Geece.org via DListed.

Update: A new higher-res version thanks to NS4W.org

Update 2: Photos removed by legal request.