Singer and actress Vanessa Hudgens discussed refocusing her life on Christ following her breakup with fellow star Zac Efron in a recent interview.
The couple were together for four years before splitting in 2010, and Hudgens admitted there were some trying times.
"I went through a phase when I was really mean because I was so fed up," she told the New York Times. "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.'"
Hudgens and Efron met on the set of the Disney hit "High School Musical," and were teenage stars. At 26 years old, Hudgens is more focused on her relationship with God, and attends services at the internationally-known Hillsong Church.
"It feels like Arcade Fire - it's epic like that," she said, comparing Hillsong's services to the popular indie rock band's concerts. "They really focus on you having your own personal relationship with Jesus, which is wonderful."
Hudgens grew up in the Catholic faith, but admitted she "never felt very connected to it." The star also credited her live-in boyfriend, actor Austin Butler, with restoring her Christian faith. The couple attend services at Hillsong together, and have been a couple since 2011.
Hudgens will play "Gigi" in the eponymous Broadway play opening April 8. Previews began earlier this month at the Neil Simon Theatre.
"It just feels like there's a massive shift happening," she said of the leading role. "Once again finding myself on the stage, as I did when I was a little girl, makes me go: 'Oh my God, this is what I want. This is what I want to keep doing.'"
