Zac Efron Explains How He Avoids Hollywood’s Pitfalls

Hollywood offers many pitfalls for the young, talented and beautiful. It’s a world to which many naive new faces often fall victim. However, as the ultra-observant Zac Efron explains on the eve of the release of his latest film, “Charlie St. Cloud,” it’s a world in which it’s easy to learn from the mistakes of others.

“Every time something does happen — and I notice when those things happen — people go through those things and experience that kind of stuff,” Zac recently told Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos. “I take note of it, a mental note — ‘Wow, that didn’t work’ — so, from that point on I sort of look out for that. I kind of adapt.”

And “adapt” is definitely what the former Disney star turned Hollywood heartthrob has done. As Zac has either watched his former peers head off to jail or be ridiculed for becoming too sexy, too quickly, he has chosen to focus on a path that he hopes will lead to longevity and respect within the industry.

“When I read ‘Charlie St. Cloud,’” Zac explained. “Rather than me saying this would be fun, selfishly, I said, ‘Wow, this is emotional and it is really going to be meaningful.”

The 22-year old star, whose career launched into the stratosphere via Disney’s “High School Musical,” is now trying to act in films that touch on deeper subject matters.

“[It’s] the first of it’s kind for this generation. I thought that, on an emotional level, everyone at some point has to go through loss,” Zac said. “It’s pretty uplifting when you realize that you can move on and live your life and that person will still be with you, deep down somewhere inside.”

“Charlie St. Cloud” is the first of many films to come from the star that he hopes will allow him to show more range on the big screen.

“I feel like I bring some originality to everything that I do… I would love to keep that sort of innovation and work with types of filmmakers that bring something new to everything,” Zac said.

One actor whose career Zac hopes to emulate is Leonardo DiCaprio.

“He’s super talented and grounded and focused and that’s everything I want to be in the future,” Zac admitted. He’s “experience[ed] the good times, the bad times, the scary times and the amazing times and [he’s] still escalating… It gives me some hope… it inspires me to keep going.”