How Zac Efron met his Australian girlfriend, Vanessa Valladares

A young woman from the shores of Byron Bay in Australia has found herself making news around the world after she was revealed to be Hollywood actor Zac Efron’s new girlfriend.

Vanessa Valladares, 25, was photographed holding hands with the 32-year-old heart-throb of High School Musical fame this week in the trendy beachside town in northern NSW, and is thought to be the reason why he has extended his visa in Australia for another 12 months.

The photos showed the pair picking up takeaway food in Byron, and surfaced after they were pictured disembarking a Jetstar flight at Ballina airport following a ski trip together in Thredbo.

But just how did these two star-crossed lovers meet?

Rumours swirled in June that Efron had settled down in Byron Bay – the place fellow Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth calls home – and was enjoying the relaxed lifestyle that came with living in Australia.

RELATED: Who is Zac Efron’s new girlfriend, Vanessa Valladares?

It’s understood Efron arrived just before international borders were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, where the US is still the worst hit country.

But it wasn’t until early July that he was first photographed down under, where coincidentally a paparazzi snapped him hugging Valladares at Byron’s iconic General Store cafe, though it was reported at the time she was just a friend.
 

This is where the pair are thought to have met and hit it off, as Efron frequented the eatery where Valladares was a waitress. However, it’s reported she has since quit her job at the cafe and moved in with Efron in a mansion he is staying in.

He is reportedly looking to buy a home in the area.

In another twist of fate, Valladares was meant to be in Africa this time of year but with COVID-19 affecting international travel she remained home, where she would cross paths with the The Greatest Showman actor.

Efron was previously in a high profile relationship with his HSM onscreen love interest, Vanessa Hudgens, from 2005 to 2010.
 

He has dated other actresses since including Michelle Rodriguez, Lily Collins and Alexandra Daddario, though most recently was with his Bad Neighbours co-star, Halston Sage, at the beginning of the year