Watch : Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron's On Set Romance Explored in Upcoming High School Musical BookHigh School Musical really was the start of something new for Vanessa Hudgens. The actress shared rare insight on her dynamic with costar Zac Efron, including how he caught her eye during their audition process as teenagers. At the final callback, she noted, "There was one other girl there for Gabriella, one other guy there for Troy. "Coming from a musical theater background, that was and still is where my heart remains," the 36-year-old continued. But Vanessa was especially stoked about working with Zac, noting, "Of course I was a child and paired with this boy and I was like, 'Oh my god, he's so cute.'