Despite reports to the contrary, Disney has not cut ties with “High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens, Access Hollywood has confirmed.
While OK! magazine reported the teen star had been dumped from the next “HSM” film in the wake of her nude photo scandal, a rep for Hudgens told Access that was not the case.
“Totally untrue. It is an old rumor,” the rep told Access. “OK! magazine never bothered to fact check with me but they did call Disney who said it wasn’t true, but yet OK! ran it anyway. Apparently OK! magazine was having a slow news day.”
In addition, a spokesperson for Disney told Access they are still in talks with the actress for the next chapter in the “HSM” franchise.
“We are still in negotiations with all of the ‘High School Musical’ stars,” the spokesperson said.
OK! magazine had quoted a source as saying “Disney finally decided that they don’t want her back. They feel that as long as Zac Efron is in the movie, all will be fine. He’s the real star — the household name — and, most importantly, he comes without baggage.”
The source also reportedly told OK! that one of the Disney’s “Cheetah Girls” — Adrienne Baillon, 23, or possibly 23-year-old Sabrina Bryan — would take Vanessa’s place.
When contacted by Access, OK! magazine said, “OK! as always sticks by its reporting and the entire story.”
Following the nude photos of Hudgens appearing online in early September, the actress issued a public apology.
“I want to apologize to my fans, whose support and trust means the world to me. I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends,” she said in a statement.
Shortly thereafter, a rep for Disney told the Associated Press they were still in negotiations with Hudgens for the next “HSM” film.
“Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment,” Disney Channel spokeswoman Patti McTeague told the AP. “We hope she’s learned a valuable lesson.”