Vanessa Hudgens has spoken out about a “traumatising” n*de picture leak perpetrated by “really f***ed up people.”

“It was a really traumatizing thing for me,” the actress told Cosmopolitan after her private images were leaked on the internet in 2007. “It’s really f—ed up that people feel like they are entitled enough to share something that personal with the world.”

“As an actor, you completely lose all grip of your own privacy and it’s really sad. It feels like that shouldn’t be the case, but unfortunately, if enough people are interested, they’re going to do everything they can to get to know as much about you as they can, which is flattering, I guess, but then people take it too far and end up divulging things that should be personal.”

Hudgens was blasted with the bulk of the criticism when the controversial images were initially revealed 13 years ago. The underage actress was instructed to publicly apologize for what a Disney official called a “lapse in judgment” at the time, ignoring the massive invasion of her privacy that resulted in the leak.

After the images were released, Hudgens issued a statement saying, “I want to apologize to my fans, whose support and trust mean the world to me. I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos. I am thankful for the support of my family and friends.”

Vanessa believes, “There’s a disconnect when you see your favourite actress on the screen, and you see them now on your TV in your homes, and you can watch them whenever you want”

“There’s almost – I don’t want to say lack of respect because that sounds negative – but it just makes you feel like you know them even though you don’t,” she said.

Hudgens, who rose to popularity in 2006 with her role in the original High School Musical film, went on to discuss the #MeToo movement as well as her own professional experience.

Vanessa Hudgens in “High School Musical.” Disney Channel

“I have been talked to in ways that are not appropriate. I have been in situations where I’ve been talked to in inappropriate ways, but right then, in that moment, I was the person to just say, ‘No. Why would you say that? You’re completely out of line,’” she says. “I’m the type of person in any situation, whether it’s an audition or in work, if I feel uncomfortable, I’m going to walk away or let that person know they’re making me feel uncomfortable. Then, if they don’t respect that, they can go f**k off. If someone doesn’t like that, literally they can f**k off. As long as you hold your ground, no one will bring you down.”

“I’ve always been a big advocate of being true to yourself,” the actress continues. “Not everyone is going to like that – well, good. That makes you an individual. That makes you unique. And if we’re all the same, what’s the point? It’s important to look out for each other, especially in this industry, and realize it’s tough. It’s hard enough, nobody needs to make it harder.”

The Spring Breakers star also discussed how she dealt with stardom at such a young age, saying that she avoided burnout as a child star by taking care of herself and being “a bit anti-social.”

“Looking back, it feels like another lifetime,” she remarked.

“I mean, I’m tired for sure. I take good care of myself. I know the things that matter the most – I do love my job, but my job isn’t everything. My family is – my partner and my friends are the things that keep me grounded.”