Vanessa Hudgens is not a Disney kid anymore. This became very clear after my four-hour lunch-fueled shopping marathon in Beverly Hills with the self-described "shopaholic." Yes, she starred in the High School Musical series and lives just 10 minutes from her parents. But that's not the only side of her story: Hudgens, 21, has shot to adulthood. She's in a serious relationship with heartthrob Zac Efron, whom she met filming HSM nearly five years ago. She has her own home in Los Angeles. And her most recent roles are ones that'd make Gabriella Montez blush: She plays the daughter of a drug addict in next year's Beastly and a tough, edgy girl in the action fantasy Sucker Punch. Hudgens—arms full with two shirts, two pairs of shoes, pants and a belt, and hat in hand—told Glamour how growing up fast really feels.
GLAMOUR: I read that you were homeschooled. Are you grateful for that, or do you wish you had the typical high school experience?
VANESSA HUDGENS: It was nice to stay away from all the drama. I'm not good with catty girls. I'm too laid-back.
GLAMOUR: You were a Disney girl. Do you feel pressure to behave a certain way?
VANESSA HUDGENS: It's so funny. Because before High School Musical, I wanted to be a nitty-gritty actress. And High School Musical came along, and, I was like, "Oh my God, fun!" But the more we did it, the more prude I became…. When I am around kids and they come up to me, of course I am going to act a certain way, but at the end of the day, I'm doing this for myself. I'm going to be doing movies kids can't watch.
GLAMOUR: Where do you see yourself either in work or in life in five years? Will you be married? Will you have kids?
VANESSA HUDGENS: Oh my goodness! [Laughs.] I'm becoming more adventurous. When I was younger, I used to be super, super shy. I still find myself being scared of things. I want to try doing sportier things, kite surfing and paddle surfing—I think it would give me that extra confidence.
GLAMOUR: When is the last time you felt awkward?
VANESSA HUDGENS: Last night, actually. Going to events gives me such anxiety. [Laughs.]
GLAMOUR: How so?
VANESSA HUDGENS: I get hot flashes! [Laughs.] I can't breathe, and I get claustrophobic. It's a very odd business. I do it because I love acting, but I don't know if I'll ever get used to it.
GLAMOUR: The rumor mill says that you and your cute boyfriend are house-hunting.
VANESSA HUDGENS: Nuh-uh. No.
GLAMOUR: No truth to that?
VANESSA HUDGENS: I mean, maybe…maybe house-hunting for houses on our own. I mean…which, I'm not. And he's not, at the moment. So no. No. I just bought my house two years ago, and I adore it. I have this Moroccan-y room on the top floor. It's the sexy cool room that I've always wanted.
GLAMOUR: I feel like a lot of fans adore that you're going out with Zac, and there're probably some girls who hate it. How do you deal with that?
VANESSA HUDGENS: We got lucky because we started off together, so I think people like us because they fell in love with the characters.
GLAMOUR: Was it love at first sight?
VANESSA HUDGENS: Right off the bat, we had a connection. I think everybody could see it. When we had our audition, they paired us together. And he was adorable. I mean, he wasn't the guy that he is today. Like, he had a gap in his teeth. Yeah! You wanna see? He was a whole different person. Hold on. [Hudgens reaches for her iPhone to find a photo of Zac on it.] You'll laugh!
GLAMOUR: You were saying he's different now. How?
VANESSA HUDGENS: He's just grown-up. He doesn't have his gap anymore. I look at him, and I see a man.
GLAMOUR: So you have a mature relationship?
VANESSA HUDGENS: I guess. I think that we inspire each other. [I love] having someone to grow with.
GLAMOUR: Ever have moments of jealousy?
VANESSA HUDGENS: Every relationship's all about trust. I think I used to. But now, not really.
GLAMOUR: You probably hate this question, but topless photos of you have appeared on the Web. How do you bounce back? Or have you bounced back?
VANESSA HUDGENS: I think that it has made me stronger. But it still hurts. It sucks because [the photos were] supposed to be private, but at the same time a lot of actresses do it [in movies]. Eventually, I'm sure that I will [too]. But I don't know if I would be able to do it now.
GLAMOUR: You were photographed for Glamour with kittens. Do you like animals?
VANESSA HUDGENS: I love animals. Love, love, love, love animals. I have a toy poodle, Shadow. She's a little whippersnapper! And I love little monkeys.
GLAMOUR: You're 21 now. What's the most recent grown-up thing you did?
VANESSA HUDGENS: I wrote a check today! For my dialect coach. But I have such a carefree spirit that I will be a kid at 80. I go to the doctor's office and sometimes [mistakenly] write that I'm 18.
GLAMOUR: But it seems like you've grown up earlier and faster than so many girls do.
VANESSA HUDGENS: It's true. You can't be a kid in this business. You will not survive.
GLAMOUR: Do you feel like you grew up too fast?
VANESSA HUDGENS: Maybe. And maybe that's the reason why I am silly at 21. But I don't regret it. And if I wasn't how I was when I was younger, I wouldn't be how I am today. You know? And I love the way I am today.
GLAMOUR: It's our Jeans Issue, so I have to ask: How many pairs of jeans do you have?
VANESSA HUDGENS: Oh my God. Like, probably 100.
GLAMOUR: You're the Imelda Marcos of jeans! What's your go-to brand?
VANESSA HUDGENS: Current/Elliott or J Brand.
GLAMOUR: What's your favorite pair of jeans?
VANESSA HUDGENS: My J Brand 10-inch skinny leg. They are cropped, but because I'm so short, they fit me perfectly.
GLAMOUR: What's the best thing about denim?
VANESSA HUDGENS: A, it goes with anything. And, B, if your jeans hug you the right way, you feel like a sexpot. [Laughs.] And they get better with age!