VANESSA HUDGENS - HUDGENS THANKS MUM FOR NAKED SUPPORT

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL star VANESSA HUDGENS has thanked her mum for her immense support after saucy naked photos of the star were leaked online. Cellphone shots of the 19-year-old actress - intended for the eyes of boyfriend Zac Efron - were posted on several websites in August last year (07), showing the star posing naked in a full-length mirror. Hudgens insists the ensuing period and press frenzy was difficult - but credits her mum's treatment of the situation with helping her through a tough time. She tells America's Seventeen magazine, "I was just open with her, and she was just so cute. She was like, 'Well, everyone can be naked if they want to.' "My parents are very supportive of me. And they know I'm a teenager, and yes, kids do stupid things sometimes." But Hudgens admits she still doesn't like to discuss the matter, adding, "It was very traumatic, and I am extremely upset it happened... It was something that was meant to be private, and even though it isn't anymore, I'd still like to keep it as private as I can."