Zac Efron has been house searching in Australia, ready to permanently commit to the country—and his relationship with girlfriend Vanesa Valladares may be part of the reason the actor is making
the big move.
Efron was first linked to the 25-year-old model in July 2020, although she was not described as his girlfriend initially. For what it's worth, Efron had kept his life in Australia private up until he was photographed in Byron Bay in July. Peoplereported in January 2021 that the two have been "romantically linked" since June 2020.
In September 2020, they publicly confirmed their romance, holding hands in photos the Daily Mailran of them during a Byron Bay outing. The gesture came shortly after the couple was spotted enjoying a ski vacation together in Thredo, as obtained by the Herald Sun.
Ahead, here's what we know about Valladares, her "serious" relationship with Efron now, and the 33rd birthday party she planned for him.
She's a model and waitress.
As reported by Peopleand the Daily Mail, Efron met Valladares while she was waiting tables at Byron Bay's General Store café. Back in June, locals saw Efron hanging out at at café—a sign that the two knew each other for months before they were photographed in September holding hands.
The Daily Mailclaimed in September that Valladares has quit her job at the restaurant and is an "aspiring model." A few professional shots from her career appear on her Instagram. Valladares appears to have modeled for Australian labels Love St and Spell.
She is living with Efron.
Things between Efron and Valladares moved fast. Three months after meeting in June, the Daily Mail reported Valladares had moved in with Efron at his Belongil Beach home, which he was renting. Their first outing as a couple was back in July, when photos showed the pair arriving from a ski trip at Ballina airport. In September, they were seen grabbing brunch at a beachside restaurant in Lennox Head, Australia. And they shared their first bit of PDA as they held hands outside of The Farm restaurant.
"Zac met Ness earlier in the summer. They started hanging out in July and recently took a ski trip together," a source told Peopleof the new relationship in September. "You can tell that they are having fun. She spends a lot of time at this house."
Another source told Peoplein October that Valladares moved in with Efron. "Their relationship is very serious," that source said. "Vanessa lives with Zac in Byron Bay."
Efron's last low-key relationship was with his Neighbors co-star Halston Sage. Us Weekly reported that the pair was an item at the start of 2020 after rumors of their romance first emerged in 2014. A source said at the time that they "are in a serious relationship and in love. They spent the holidays together, with part of that time in Santa Barbara." But it appears that relationship didn't make the move with Efron to Australia. Before Sage, he's been linked to Olympian Sarah Bro, actress Alexandra Daddario, and, of course, his High School Musical love interest Vanessa Hudgens.
By January 2021, Efron and Valladares' relationship remained serious and happy—but not yet marriage-bound.
Peoplegot an update from a source about how things are between the two. "They are not engaged but seem very happy," the source said, adding that Efron really wants to "make a life for himself" in Australia. "He keeps looking at properties," the source said.
She has a public Instagram—but isn't following Efron.
Valladares, who has about 90.4k Instagram followers, hasn't gone 'gram official with Efron. In fact, the pair isn't even following each other on the platform nor liking each other's posts. Valladares hasn't posted on her Instagram since July 30, 2020.
Efron, meanwhile, recently shared an Instagram of himself living in a caravan as he shoots his upcoming thriller Gold. "Home sweet home. Thanks, @lotus_caravans ?#setlife #goldmovie," he wrote on February 2. It was a very rare look at his life in Australia.
Her IG feed has a beachy, naturalistic aesthetic.
Efron's love of nature was exhibited in his recent Netflix docuseries, Down to Earth with Zac Efron. In the series, he explores different parts of the world in search of sustainable and eco-friendly ways of living. Valladares appears to have a similar naturalistic vibe. She frequently posts photos of the ocean, captures sunlit selfies, and writes captions like: "The river in the sky is aligning for the kings and queens ?."
A source told Us Weeklyin September that "Vanessa loves to be active," adding, "She and Zac have that in common." The insider also said that Valladares' low-key lifestyle has been a positive influence on Efron. “Zac and Vanessa are really good for each other,” the source said. “She has calmed him down a lot, and he’s not partying too much.”
She loves to travel.
When Valladares isn't waiting tables or modeling, she seems to have a passion for traveling. On March 26, she wrote about a planned trip to Africa that was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Packed preparing to leave to Africa. My flight was scheduled to take off today, now wake up to a rapidly changing reality... Embrace change. I choose to surrender and continue to be love, observing, growing and expanding. I’m limiting my phone use, gaining knowledge, empowering myself, remaining present. ?? Let us lean into this chaotic creative place," she wrote alongside a photo of herself propped on a car.
In 2016, she made a getaway to Indonesia, as previewed on her Instagram.
She planned Efron's 33rd birthday party.
On October 18, Efron rang in his 33rd birthday, and Valladares reportedly planned the party. Per The Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, the couple was photographed outside of the celebration. Guests included radio host Kyle Sandilands and girlfriend Tegan Kynaston, professional tennis player Pat Rafter, and Chris Hemsworth's dad, Craig.
Sandilands confirmed, via Daily Mail, that Valladares was the one to extend an invite. "Vanessa invited me. You couldn't get a lovelier, sweeter girl. She knew everything, and she put everything together. She's a sweetheart," he said. Sandilands later added about Efron, "He's in love with this girl, Vanessa. They're a beautiful couple. They do everything together. They're just sweet."
A source reiterated this account to People, confirming that the couple lives together. "Zac and Vanessa are very happy," the source said. "They celebrated Zac's birthday with friends before the weekend."