Teen Idol Zac Efron Channels His 'High School Musical' Character While on Set of His Upcoming Project – Photos

During a recent sighting, Zac Efron was seen sporting a new haircut. Netizens who saw his picture noticed that he seemed to be embracing the same look he had as a teenager starring in "High School Musical."

On November 6, 2024, a publication shared side-by-side Instagram images of Efron filming in Los Angeles. At the time, he was outside an electronics store wearing a gray hoodie, a white T-shirt, and matching sweatpants.

The publication suggested his haircut made him look like an adult version of his 2006 "High School Musical" character, Troy Bolton. His hair was styled to the side, similar to the look Bolton had as a teenage basketball player.

Mocking the comparison, one Instagram user commented, "Yea, Troy Bolton wit Plastic Surgery. [sic]" Another viewer, who wasn't pleased with the actor's look, remarked, "I don't like it!!!! It just makes you really see how old he is."

But, someone else speculated that it wasn't Efron's real hair, saying, "That is a bad wig not going to lie," while another person thought, "He ruined his face." An X user disapproved of Efron's look, stating, "His facelift is awful."

Confused by the new look, one netizen asked, "why does zac efron have troy bolton hair rn. what is going on. [sic]" Seeing more pictures of his transformation, another social media user, who loved the look, commented, "Honestly loving seeing him with that hair again!"

Facebook users also shared their opinions, with one person, noticing more than just his hairstyle, stating, "He looks totally different. Facial surgeries?" Another expressed disappointment, saying, "He lost his pretty boy looks."

Someone else felt the hairstyle no longer suited him, noting, "The hair looked good on him back then, now......" But this wasn't the first time Efron received criticism for his appearance.

In September, the former teen idol dressed up to attend the amfAR Gala Venezia in Italy. He wore an all-black outfit, including a shirt, dress pants, formal shoes, a suit jacket, and dark sunglasses.

Yet, netizens were more focused on his appearance than his attire. Watching him mingle with celebrities like Richard Gere, Mohammed Al Turki, and Swizz Beatz, one person asked, "What's wrong with his face [?] 😮."

Echoing this sentiment, another said, "Not the kid we know and love," while someone added, "With a whole new face once again." An Instagram user shared, "He totally ruined his image."

One concerned viewer questioned, "What did this child do to his face [?]" Continuing with the speculation of possible cosmetic surgery, a Facebook user exclaimed, "You were perfect the way you were!!! Stop the surgeries!"

Sharing a similar view on Instagram, another complained, "So much surgery." Yet a different netizen suggested there might be something deeper happening with Efron, stating, "The guy is clearly going through something 🤷‍♂️."

Conversely, one fan still found Efron attractive, gushing, "[My] forever crush ❤️." Sadly, his changed appearance might be more due to a medical emergency than cosmetic choices.

In August 2024, a publication reported that the "17 Again" actor was previously hospitalized in Spain after a swimming pool accident. While on vacation in Ibiza, he dove into a pool, hitting his chest on the floor.

He also swallowed a large amount of water and exhibited signs of distress afterward, appearing momentarily dazed. Reflecting on the criticism about his appearance, he noted, "If I valued what other people thought of me to the extent that they may think I do, I definitely wouldn't be able to do this work."

When Efron wasn't being judged on his appearance, he revisited some of his older movies like "High School Musical," "Neighbors," "The Greatest Showman," and more. During a July 2024 interview, the 37-year-old laughed while watching himself play basketball as Bolton in his teenage years.

Watching himself on the basketball court his first thought was "I really drilled all those shots." He clarified that no CGI was used since they didn't have the budget then. Efron also reminisced about how young and motivated he and the other actors were on the movie's basketball team.

He explained that "High School Musical" initially started as a television film with a "very condensed shooting schedule." The star and his co-stars also had limited rehearsal time to perfect their roles.

Kenny Ortega, the film's director, and Charles "Chucky" Klapow, the choreographer and Efron's co-star, had high aspirations for the movie. Ortega was pleasantly surprised when Efron and his co-stars enthusiastically embraced his vision, taking it further.

The intricate basketball sequences in the film were achieved through practice. The star recalled them practicing the basketball scenes for only two before perfecting the synchronized shots.

Their basketball rehearsals lasted around two or three hours, and after five takes, they nailed it! Everyone was amazed, and for the first time, they wondered, "Is this gonna be cool?" For their efforts, Zac Efron expressed pride in his co-stars for persevering through the challenge.

He also humorously recalled the unpredictability of the basketball's direction, noting, "A lot of people got hit in the face." Reflecting on his agility back then, he thanked Ortega for the movie, mentioning that he hadn't watched it in years.