Zac Efron's grown-up photoshoot for Interview Magazine may have made headlines earlier this month, but the teen idol told Access Hollywood at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday that going from "High School Musical" to posing with a nude model was "pretty crazy" even by his standards.
"It just kind of happened," he said. "She was so professional. It wasn't really up to me so I just kind of rolled with it."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 2009 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
But Zac said he was happy with the way things turned out.
"The photographer was very cool and I saw what he wanted to do," he said. "I had a great time. It was a refreshing kind of change."
And girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens, for one, liked seeing Zac's mature new look.
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"Damn," she told Access on her reaction to seeing the photos. "They're sexy."
But was she jealous of seeing Zac with another girl?
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Vanessa Hudgens: From 'High School' Sweetheart To Hollywood Hottie!
"They're pictures. It's hot," she said.
The "17 Again" actor is branching out in his career, as well — while Zac fans may love him in musicals, he said he's looking forward to going in a different direction after dropping out of the remake of "Footloose."
"It's not that I want to stay away from musicals," he said. "It's just that at this particular moment, I'm looking for a new challenge."
Still, as he left the Kids' Choice Awards, Zac added that he won't forget the fans who made him a star.
"This award show is for the kids and, and they're the reason I'm even around today," he said. "They're the ones that are with us step for step."
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Excitement Over Efron For '17 Again' (March 23, 2009)
PLAY IT NOW: Oscars Red Carpet 2009: Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Zac Efron - Vanessa Hudgens - Young Hollywood - Celebrities - Couples
