Vanessa Hudgens hates bras: ‘They’re just not comfortable,’ I feel ‘restricted’
Vanessa Hudgens is like a “Live Laugh Love” sign came to life and decided to be an actress. She’s very positive and enthusiastic about everything, relentlessly. And that’s a good thing. Maybe. If I’m being honest, those kinds of people annoy the sh-t out of me, but I can take them in small doses. Which is what I’m doing here! Vanessa covers the latest issue of Glamour UK, to chat about her latest Netflix movies and her supporting role in Tick Tick Boom. She actually spoke at length with Glamour about optimism, feeling young and free and all of that. Some highlights:
Turning 33 years old: “I feel like I’ve lived many, many lives just because I’ve been in this industry for so long. I had big dreams and was so excited and bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. You know, I think it takes time to get comfortable with yourself, like truly comfortable. I know the pandemic – like having to sit at home with myself and really work on my shadow self; those things you don’t really want to face – has forced me to grow because it’s uncomfortable. Those are the moments that challenge you and really force you to make an opinion as to who you are and how you want to present yourself to the world. I feel like I’ve had that moment multiple times throughout my life and it’s been evolving and changing just like I am.”
The backlash to her “people are gonna die” pandemic comments: “Honestly, I don’t have time to allow [social media] to stress me out. That’s the space where I can share my life and be creative. It is just a place for me to keep my friends up to date with what I’m up to and where I am in the world because I do not stop. And at the end of the day, it’s just Instagram. It’s cute, it’s fun. Believe me, I take to Instagram all the time for inspiration and makeup looks and fashion, and I enjoy it, but I don’t really put that much thought behind it. It’s just Instagram.”
The power of positive thinking: “I have a really good outlook on life, so I try to not be defeated. Just growing up in the industry, you are going to be told ‘no way’ more than you are told ‘yes’. [I tell myself] the next thing that comes along will be bigger and better. I truly believe in divine timing and the power of manifestation, the power of being very direct about what it is you want and asking for it and having faith that it will come your way.”
She’s embracing her youthful spirit in her 30s: “The older I get, the more I realise it’s so important to keep that inner child alive and really celebrate your inner youth, and to not push that down, to really allow that sparkle.”
She’s anti-bra: “Free the nipple! Bras are uncomfortable. If you feel more comfortable and ready to take on the world in a bra, then by all means wear one. But for me personally, they’re just not comfortable. I don’t want to feel restricted. Women used to have to be more covered up. And I feel like it’s a lot more accepting of women to express themselves how they feel fit.”
On feminism: “Feminism to me means being able to do whatever the hell it is that you want to do and be supporte. We should have equal rights, we should have equal pay. It’s about supporting each other, lifting other women up so that we can achieve all the things that we want to do. There’s power in numbers, and we are more powerful when we’re together. I think if anything, it just attests to my tenacity and resilience, because women are the most resilient creatures on the planet. And if we tap into that, we’re unstoppable and we can truly do anything we set our mind to.”
She doesn’t care about royalty: “I don’t really keep up with the royals. I would never want to be a royal. The idea of it, the chicness of it, it’s cute, but like the reality… I’m just way too goofy. And I enjoy living my life to the fullest. The giving-back aspect of it, I think is really beautiful to be able to make such a significant change. And that’s something that I try to incorporate into my everyday life and my legacy, just working with organisations. But yeah, the day-to-day of it all… I mean, I guess I already am under scrutiny being someone who is in front of the camera, but the royals have it on a whole other level. I… This just, it’s not for me.
I don’t actually have a problem with anything she’s saying here, because that’s the beauty of a mass-market Live Laugh Love sign, most people are going to be like “eh, that’s cute.” Sure, I’m slightly annoyed by the whole inner-child thing, but it works for her. She survived the Disney machine and she’s found a successful niche in the industry. She’s actively aiming for harmless, and that’s fine. Not everyone has to be some deep, anxious, cynical a–hole. As for the bra thing… I go braless at home but my boobs are very big and I do feel uncomfortable if I go braless outside the house. Vanessa is different, so okay.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, cover courtesy of Glamour UK.
