Zac Efron has weathered plenty of ups and downs since he first shot to fame as the young star of Disney’s High School Musical franchise.
While the hunky heartthrob gained a devoted fanbase and global stardom thanks to his role as the singing jock Troy Bolton, the attention came with a whole new set of challenges for the young star.
In 2013, he quietly checked himself into rehab, reportedly for alcohol and substance abuse issues, telling The Hollywood Reporter the next year that he was “drinking a lot, way too much”.
Now, Zac is opening up about that period in his life in a new interview with Elle, revealing that finding structure was the key to changing his life.
Zac with his Bad Neighbours 2 co-star Seth Rogen at the MTV Movie Awards this year. Photo: Getty
“There was a moment when my morning routine was, like, get up and Google yourself,” he confessed, adding that he put a stop to that habit around three years ago.
“I realised that viewing yourself through other people’s pictures is not living your own life. I wasn’t really being myself. A lot of my hobbies had gone out the window. I couldn’t skateboard or surf for fear of being followed,” he said.
“Crossing the line of fear is what leads to greatness.”
The adrenaline junkie had an opportunity to show just how fearless he was during a filming trip to Hawaii last year, when he came face to face with a tiger shark. Instead of swimming away in terror, the 28-year-old actor actually managed to hitch a ride with the creature for a few seconds, before it went on its way.
“I could either turn and try to beat the shark to the boat, or I could look it in the eyes and let it know I’m present and I’m not afraid,” he revealed.
Watch the moment Zac swam with the shark in the video player below
