FROM VANESSA HUDGENS TO A BYRON BAY MODEL: A TIMELINE OF ZAC EFRON'S RELATIONSHIPS.

Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron has had a series of high-profile relationships over the years. His dating history includes a mix of celebrities, co-stars and models — most recently, one from Byron Bay.

From dating his High School Musical co-star Vanessa Hudgens to more recent romances, here's a look back at Zac Efron's past relationships.

Mamamia talks to Zac Efron and Zendaya about filming The Greatest Showman. Post continues below video.

Vanessa Hudgens: 2005-2010

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens in 2007. Image: Getty.

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens first met when they were paired up during a High School Musical auditions in 2005. At the time, they were just 17 and 16 years old.

Although the relationship wasn't confirmed until 2006, outlets later reported the pair started dating at the "very beginning" of filming for High School Musical.

"It started off really organically," Hudgens told the Awards Chatter podcast.

"I could not have been more grateful to have that relationship at the time. It was this massive phenomenon and [all] eyes were on me. And it's just a really weird foreign thing to go through. And by being in a relationship, it kind of kept me stabilised and grounded, and I had someone to lean on who was going through it as well."

In the five years they dated, the couple appeared in three High School Musical movies and attended countless red carpet events.

"The relationship kept me grounded," Hudgens told Shape, "and because I was with someone who knew me so well, I didn't need to try to be someone I'm not."

Two years after the final High School Musical movie was released, the couple ended their relationship in December 2010.

At the time, a source claimed: "It was nothing dramatic. There was no third party involved."

Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron in 2009. Image: Getty. 

In 2011, Hudgens appeared to point to their conflicting schedules as the reason behind their split.

"Long-distance relationships are hard no matter what. When you don't have face-to-face time, it's just different. Having an iPhone helped, but it just wasn't the same," she told Shape.

She also previously opened up about her personal struggle with Efron's fans.

"I went through a phase when I was really mean because I was so fed up," Hudgens told The New York Times in 2015. 

"Girls were running after him, and I was giving them death stares. Then I realised that's not what that's about. 'Spread the love, be a good person, they support you, be nice'."

Lily Collins: 2012

Zac Efron and Lily Collins in 2019. Image: Getty.

In 2012, Efron was linked to British actress Lily Collins.

Although the rumoured romance was unconfirmed, the pair were seen on a series of dates in 2012 and 2013, including a trip to Disneyland.

According to E! News, the 'relationship' was blown out of proportion. 

"They were never really together, so you could say they split, but they were never an official couple," an unnamed source told the publication. 

"They hung out a bit, but it was super casual."

In 2019, Efron and Collins appeared in the Netflix movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which chronicled the life of Ted Bundy.

At the time, the pair faced dating rumours again, however, Collins made it clear that they were just close friends.

"I used to do reporting for Nickelodeon, so I literally interviewed him at an orange carpet event years ago. We’ve been friends ever since, so we finally got to work together," she told E! News last year at the Sundance Film Festival.

Michelle Rodriguez: 2014

Michelle Rodriguez in 2020. Image: Getty.

In 2014, Efron was reported to be dating Fast and the Furious actress Michelle Rodriguez.

But just weeks after being spotted in Ibiza together, multiple sources confirmed their fling was over.

"Michelle is going to do her own thing. Zac knew this about her when he got with her," a source said, according to Us Weekly. "He's very into her though, and perhaps more than she's into him."

Sami Miró: 2014-2016

Sami Miró and Zac Efron in 2016. Image: Getty.

In October 2014, Efron began dating model and businesswoman Sami Miró.

In the two years they spent together, the couple largely kept their relationship far from the public eye.

Speaking to Elle in March 2015, Miró opened up about the pitfalls of dating someone famous.

"It's definitely different," she shared.

"It kind of just comes with the territory, and I know there's no really changing that, so you have to just embrace it... I'm not trying to hide anything in my life. If I was dating someone who wasn't in the limelight, I might have more photos on [Instagram] of our relationship, but I do think it's important. I mean, it's what is going on in my life, and I think that my social media can still represent that." 

In April 2016, the couple ended their relationship, leading Efron to unfollow Miró on Instagram and delete every photo of her from his account.

"It wasn't an easy breakup," our source explained at the time, according to E! News. 

"Distance and work schedules got in the way with their relationship and Zac wanted to focus on his career."

Sarah Bro

In January 2019, the actor was briefly linked to Danish professional swimmer Sarah Bro after the pair attended a UFC fight in Las Vegas and a Los Angeles Kings game.

The pair were also seen attending fitness classes together, however, their relationship was never confirmed.

Halston Sage

Zac Efron and Halston Sage in 2014. Image: Getty.

In January 2020, Us Weekly reported that Efron was "in a serious relationship" with his Bad Neighbours co-star Halston Sage.

"[They are] in a serious relationship and in love. They spent the holidays together, with part of that time in Santa Barbara," Us Weekly reported.

The couple were previously linked in 2014, after meeting on the set of Bad Neighbours.

"They are definitely an item," an E! News source said at the time. "They were seeing each other a bit during filming of their movie together, and ever since he went to rehab, they got a lot closer. Her friends love him and say he is so sweet. He’s really good to her."

But when Efron moved to Australia from Los Angeles earlier this year, Sage didn't join him, indicating that their relationship was likely over.

Vanessa Valladares: 2020-2021

 Vanessa Valladares. Image: Instagram.

In June 2020, the actor met Australian model Vanessa Valladares, who worked as a waitress at one of Byron Bay's most iconic cafes, the Byron Bay General Store.

They were seen eating brunch together in Lennox Head, south of Byron Bay, after returning from a ski holiday in Thredbo.

"Zac met Ness earlier in the summer. They started hanging out in July," a source told PEOPLE. 

"You can tell that they are having fun. She spends a lot of time at this house."

After 10 months of dating, Efron and Valladares broke up in April 2021.

Current relationship status

 As of now, Efron is reportedly single, focusing on his career and personal growth.

This article was originally published in October 2020, and has been updated since with new information. 

Feature Image: Getty/Instagram.

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