Vanessa Hudgens opens up on dating Zac Efron: 'I was really mean'

Five years after splittingfrom Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens opened up about her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and some of the struggles she had to overcome. In a new interviewwith the New York Times, she discussed her difficulty dealingwith the legions of adoring fans that followed her and Zac everywhere.

Vanessa revealed she was jealous of ex-boyfriend Zac Efron's fans Photo: Getty Images

"I went through aphase when I was really mean because I was so fed up," the 26-year-oldsaid. "Girls were running after him, and I was giving them deathstares." Recognizing her behavior was not how she wanted to live herlife, she changed her attitude toward the girls. "I realized that's notwhat that's about," Vanessa added. "Spread the love, be a goodperson, they support you, be nice."

Zac and Vanessa dated for three years Photo: Getty Images

Although she was able toaccept Zac's heartthrob status, their relationship still came to an end in 2010after three years of dating. The Spring Breakers star has since starteddating actor Austin Butler and she added that her views on other womenand feminism changed as she grew up.

Vanessa is now dating Austin Butler Photo: Getty Images

"I used to be on the fence about[identifying as a feminist]," she said. "I feel like it gets to acertain place where it almost has the reverse effect, where it's sooverpowering and so aggressive that it's like rather than just standing up forfemale pride and female rights, it becomes, like, 'I am the man.'"

The actress, who is starring in the Broadway revival of the musical Gigi, added, "But now I feellike there's this new wave of feminists coming up that are truly about equal rightsfor women. I mean, Beyonce is, like, killing the game, and I love her."