“It Became an Obsession”, Zac Efron Reveals the Secrets Behind His Altered Appearance in New Movie

High School Musical fans are witnessing a surprising transformation in one of their favorite stars as he takes on a new role. Zac Efron’s evolving appearance has been a recent topic of discussion, but this dramatic change has captivated fans, sparking astonishment and curiosity. Nevertheless, the saying “never judge a book by its cover” rings true, as Efron recently shared the extensive changes he underwent to fully embrace his latest role.

Speculation about what happened to his face began in 2021.

Following a viral video in 2021, speculation regarding Zac Efron’s altered appearance surged, fueled by fans suggesting the actor had undergone plastic surgery. The rumors gained traction after his participation in Bill Nye’s “Earth Day Musical” on Facebook Watch, prompting Twitter users to scrutinize his face and question changes, particularly in his chin. Addressing these speculations in a September 2022 interview, Zac refuted the plastic surgery claims, attributing his transformed look to a jaw injury in 2013 rather than any surgical procedures. He emphasized his disregard for internet gossip and revealed that his mother had brought the rumors to his attention, but he chose not to pay them much heed.

Zac disclosed that the injury occurred when he slipped and struck his face on a granite fountain, resulting in a severe jaw break that necessitated wiring his mouth shut. This incident coincided with additional physical challenges, including tearing his ACL, dislocating his shoulder, breaking his wrist, and throwing out his back.

Despite engaging in physical therapy to recuperate from the injury, Zac admitted to pausing it for a period, which contributed to facial issues. He clarified that certain facial muscles had to compensate for weaker ones, resulting in noticeable changes in his appearance.

Online, the actor encountered a barrage of harsh criticism.

Discussions about the actor’s altered appearance have surfaced on social media platforms such as TikTok and Twitter. Users on TikTok have been actively sharing before-and-after comparisons, emphasizing what they interpret as a more squared jawline in recent times. This has led to various speculations in the comments section. The conversation gained momentum when a screenshot of Zac Efron went viral on Twitter, sparking a wave of discussions, memes, and opinions regarding his changed appearance.

Opinions varied widely, with many attributing the changes to what they perceived as unsuccessful botox treatments and unnecessary jaw fillers. However, amidst the critical comments, voices expressed empathy and understanding for Efron’s past struggles with body image and the natural aging process.

Twitter users called for empathy and a more profound understanding of potential underlying issues instead of hastily criticizing someone’s physical changes. One user expressed, “Y’all are way too quick to give your unnecessary opinions of disdain towards others’ appearances. Zac Efron could be battling something serious, and y’all are crying about fillers.” This highlighted the significance of compassion and understanding a person’s journey, emphasizing the need to refrain from making swift judgments about appearances.

Zac embraced a completely new role, unlike anything he had ever undertaken in his career.

Zac Efron has undergone a remarkable physical transformation for his role in the upcoming wrestling movie, The Iron Claw. Widely recognized for his previous roles, Efron has notably bulked up to portray the legendary professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich. Following the film’s release on December 22, Efron revealed his muscular physique, a departure from his typical appearances. The movie centers around the true story of the Von Erich brothers, influential figures in professional wrestling during the early 1980s.

Efron is known for transforming his appearance for various roles, but his dedication to embodying Kevin Von Erich in “Iron Claw” has generated significant interest; his noticeable change required substantial muscle gain and a wig to match the wrestler’s appearance.

During the Dallas premiere, Efron donned an ivory suit by Reiss and shared the challenges of portraying the renowned wrestler. He credited Kevin Von Erich for inspiring him to push his physical boundaries for the role, highlighting the immense effort he invested in authentically portraying the wrestling legend on screen. Efron expressed, “The physicality he brought to the ring every single day was unique. It changed wrestling. I knew that was going to be the hardest thing for me to master and get right. So, I put everything I had into it.”

He followed a strict diet regime.

Zac Efron’s makeover for Iron Claw stands as his most dramatic to date, surpassing his preparation for Baywatch in 2017. During that time, he transitioned from a vegan diet to intermittent fasting, citing that vegetables weren’t aligning well with his body.

Efron detailed his recent transformation, mentioning a strict diet that deviated from his usual eating habits. This new regimen involved morning cardio, breaking his fast at 11 a.m. with bone broth soup, vegetables, and lean proteins such as elk and chicken. His dinner consisted of another meat dish paired with sweet potatoes or quinoa, and he reintroduced organ meats like liver and onions to his diet.

Even though it was tough, Efron’s efforts paid off, and everyone talked about his ripped muscles. He got those toned abs that many people aim for when working out to get fit. He gained 10 pounds of lean muscle in just 12 weeks, showing how hard he worked for the role.

A co-star of Zac Efron playfully commented on his transformation, humorously expressing a hint of annoyance.“He’s a maniac,” he said. Zac is incredibly dedicated and well-versed in aspects like training and diet. He mentioned that the star’s physical transformation surpassed everyone’s expectations. “He’s so annoying. I’ve been training for months, putting in all this effort, and then I see Zac and think, ’Why do I even bother?’” he added.

This specific role became a true obsession for him.

During an interview, the actor contemplated the rigorous dedication demanded during preparation, characterizing it as an all-encompassing focus that nearly transformed into an obsession with perfection. “That necessity to be perfect... became an obsession.”

Recognizing the multifaceted athleticism inherent in wrestling, a fusion of acting, martial arts, and gymnastics, Efron delved into his fitness routine. He discussed integrating traditional bodybuilding and Olympic lifting techniques to attain the distinctive physique of professional wrestlers. Additionally, Efron disclosed that the physical transformation not only changed his appearance but also impacted his mindset for the role. He elaborated on how carrying the extra weight disrupted his sense of normalcy and resulted in intense muscle soreness days after workouts. “So that was the most extreme I had ever gone.”

Despite his dedication to the role, Efron acknowledged moments of withdrawal, highlighting that the preparation phase limited social interaction. He also acknowledged the necessity of balancing his perfectionist tendencies, underscoring the importance of having fun and learning to enjoy the process rather than fixating solely on perfection. “If being a perfectionist is going to be the thorn in my side from this point on, it’s like, life is way too short,” he said.

And most recently, Zac Efron shared why he completely changed his lifestyle and now calls another country his home.