Vanessa Hudgens’ Dating History: Zac Efron, Austin Butler and More

Vanessa Hudgens has been linked to a number of Hollywood hunks over the years, from Zac Efron to Austin Butler. The actress’ love life was thrown into the spotlight with her first public relationship with Efron, whom she met on the set of 2005’s High School Musical. “Right off the bat, we had a connection,” she recalled to Glamour six months before their 2010 breakup made headlines. “I think everybody could see it. When we had our audition, they paired us together. And he was adorable.” One year after the exes’ split, Hudgens moved on with Butler. The pair fell hard and fast for each other, but they were not in a rush to take the next step in their relationship. “I want to get married, travel, then have kids — probably in my late 30s. Everyone’s clock is different,” she told Women’s Health in November 2018, gushing that Butler inspired her “more than anyone.” However, after nearly nine years as a couple, Us Weekly broke the news in January 2020 that the “Say OK” singer and Butler had gone their separate ways. Hudgens later found The One in baseball player Cole Tucker, whom she wed in December 2023. She revealed the following March that they were expecting their first baby. Scroll down to see a timeline of Hudgens’ dating history:

Hudgens, who played the Gabriella Montez to Efron’s Troy Bolton in the three High School Musical movies, said on the “Awards Chatter” podcast in April 2019 that her romance with her castmate “started off really organically” in 2005. They ultimately called it quits after five years together, with a source telling Us at the time, “It was mutual. They have been together for so long. It just ran its course.” Hudgens said on Access Hollywood in March 2017 that she and Efron have since “completely lost contact.”

Another costar! The Princess Switch actress was linked to her Journey 2: The Mysterious Island castmate Josh Hutcherson in early 2011. While describing the nature of their relationship later that year, he told Seventeen, “I don’t know if ‘dating’ is the right word.” The Hunger Games star went on to joke in a January 2012 interview, “She broke my heart. No, I’m just kidding. … We’re really good friends now.”

Hudgens and Butler were first linked in September 2011 and made their red carpet debut the following February at the Journey 2 premiere. They sparked breakup rumors in December 2019 after not spending her birthday or the holidays together. One month later, Us exclusively confirmed that their relationship was over. “Vanessa has been telling those close to her about their breakup,” a source said.

The Second Act star was briefly linked to Los Angeles Lakers player Kyle Kuzma in late January 2020. “It’s been fun and distracting for Vanessa to talk to, flirt with and get attention from a new guy,” a source told Us at the time.

After posting about “date night” on Instagram, Hudgens was photographed getting cozy with Tucker in November 2020. Six months later, she told Entertainment Tonight that the two "met on a Zoom meditation group." "Very random, yes," she joked. “Zoom, you’ve got to love it.” Tucker reportedly proposed to Hudgens in late 2022, according to a TMZ report the following February.

Three months after the duo tied the knot in Tulum, Hudgens revealed that she and the Pittsburgh Pirates player were expecting their first child by rocking her baby bump on the Oscars red carpet in a black Vera Wang Couture gown.

News broke in July 2024 that Hudgens gave birth. Exactly one year later, Hudgens revealed she is pregnant with baby No. 2.