Austin Butler defended calling ex Vanessa Hudgens a «friend» during his 2023 appearance in the Hollywood Reporter’s Actor Roundtable. The two dated from 2011 until 2020.
Austin Butler meant no disrespect by referring to ex Vanessa Hudgens, whom he dated for nearly a decade, as nothing more than an old “friend” during an interview last year.
While speaking with Esquire, the “Elvis” actor explained that he wasn’t trying to downplay her role in his life but rather shield her from any extra media attention.
“Oh, yeah, I learned a lesson with that one,” the 32-year-old said when asked about the label in the interview published Tuesday.
“I felt that I was respecting her privacy in a way and not wanting to bring up a ton of things that would cause her to have to talk,” the Oscar nominee continued.
“I have so much love and care for her. It was in no way trying to erase anything.”
Butler noted that the pair were together for a “long time” and told the outlet that he “didn’t want to give up anybody else’s privacy” because he values his own “so much.”
The clarification came just over a year after the “Dune” star came under fire for seemingly dissing the “High School Musical” alum, whom he started dating in 2011, during the Hollywood Reporter’s 2023 Actor Roundtable.
When asked if he had always dreamed of playing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Butler revealed that an unnamed “friend” convinced him to pursue the role.
