Zac Efron has been a globetrotter since gaining fame, often jetting off for both business and pleasure. Despite this, he maintained his California roots, his birthplace, and his hometown. However, everything took an unexpected turn when he opted to spend more time overseas, leading him to rethink his lifestyle in search of genuine happiness.
He lived most of his life in the United States.
Originally from San Luis Obispo, in California, Zac Efron spent the majority of his life in the United States, having grown up close to the heart of Hollywood. Despite this, his parents were never involved in the entertainment business. Still, he took his first steps into that world early on in his life. His journey in acting and singing began during his time at Arroyo Grande High School in the early 2000s, with a drama teacher playing a pivotal role in connecting him to an agent.
After he achieved success with teen flicks like the High School Musical trilogy and 17 Again(2009), he shifted into more dramatic roles in films such as The Greatest Showman(2017) and, more recently, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile(2019). It was this ever-growing filmography that allowed him to amass a net worth of around $25 million and allowed him to purchase a mansion in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, in 2013. He lived there for seven years until he no longer felt like it was the right place for him.
So, what happened to Zac Efron to make him change his mind? Keep reading to find out.
His L.A. house had everything to offer, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.
The 36-year-old actor put his Los Feliz home up for sale in December 2020, and the listing made public the house’s astounding features. The property, which is nestled against the Hollywood Hills and located in a prestigious neighborhood filled with plenty of celebrity residents, offers breathtaking views, accentuated by walls of glass, terraces, and numerous outdoor spaces that offer panoramic vistas of the city below.
With five bedrooms and five bathrooms within its 5.455-square-foot layout, the main level includes a living area, dining room, chef’s kitchen adjoining a family room, and a master suite with a spa-like bathroom. But that’s not all!
Additionally, it has three bedrooms with bathrooms downstairs, along with a separate one-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse. It also features amenities such as a gym, media room, game room, and security cameras, and the outdoor space includes view decks suitable for outdoor dining and lounging.
So, with all its potential, it wasn’t shocking that it sold in only a few months, despite the hefty price tag. In May 2021, the house sold for $5.3 million. Albeit below the initial asking price of $5.9 million, it still marks a profitable venture for Efron, as he paid around $4 million when he first purchased the property.
He fell in love with a different country.
In 2020, Efron made a move that had a deep impact on him — he relocated to Byron Bay, Australia. Back then, he still owned the Los Feliz mansion, so many thought it was just a temporary home. The fact that he lived out of a van, before buying a property in the Australian beachside town also led many to believe nothing much could come of the move.
However, he shot the second season of his Netflix documentary series Down to Earththere, which allowed him to spend over a year with the Aussies. Eventually, he did return to the US to enjoy quality time with his family, but it wasn’t long before he was once again on Australian ground. This time, it was to shoot Ricky Stanicky, a movie in which he co-stars with John Cena and that has yet to have a set date for its debut.
But a special situation might have sealed the deal for his ever-growing bond with the country. Shortly after he moved to Australia, Efron found love. He met Vanessa Valladares, a waitress at the Byron Bay General Store & Cafe, in June 2020. They began dating and eventually spent Christmas and New Year’s together in Australia. Although the couple has since called it quits, the relationship might have been the final trigger of Efron’s decision to move permanently from the US, as he then put his L.A. home on the market.
Finally, a source close to the actor revealed in January 2021, that Efron already considered Australia «home.»
The actor doesn’t think Hollywood is a healthy place to live in.
The actor had previously expressed his intention to move out of Hollywood, though, and it was precisely in a scene from Down to Earth. In the fourth episode, he candidly shared his desire to move away from the Hollywood scene and the lifestyle associated with it, and emphasized that it didn’t contribute in any way to a «long, happy, mentally-sound life.»
Curiously, what happened to Zac Efron also happened to Chris Hemsworth, in which both actors decided to move to Australia so they could distance themselves from the hecticness of Hollywood. Although Hemsworth himself is Australian, his mindset was similar to that of Efron.
In 2016, Hemsworth, known for his role as Thor in several Marvel movies, relocated his family from Los Angeles to Byron Bay. The 40-year-old similarly expressed a wish to escape the suffocating nature of being constantly surrounded by the entertainment industry. Opting for a more tranquil lifestyle, as of 2023, he and his family reside in a $20 million mega-mansion in Byron Bay’s hinterland, which they view as a healthier environment for their children to grow up in.
Zac Efron isn’t the only celebrity who decided to move to a new home. Many others did as well, and they spared no expenses to buy the luxury house of their dreams. We listed a few of the most expensive celebrity homes here and showed what makes them extraordinary.
Preview photo credit Down to Earth / The Nacelle Company and co-producer, zacefron / Instagram
Shocking Moments at the Olympics: Athlete Scores Zero in Diving
There are usually moments of success and disappointment during the Olympics. This year is no exception, with competitors vying for gold hailing from all across the world. But some sportsmen are more unfortunate than others in their circumstances. In one such instance, an Olympic diver’s perfect score startled onlookers.
Olympic women’s 3m springboard diver Alison Gibson of Team USA produced a devastating performance in the preliminary round. Her feet collided with the springboard on her debut dive, resulting in an agonizing error that left the spectators in shock. Sadly, the impact damaged her form, and she placed last among the 28 participants. She was disappointed to learn that she received a score of 0.0 for the dive from the judges.
Later on, Alison talked about the discomfort she felt during the dive. She’s still determined to keep doing what she loves in spite of the setback. She wants everyone witnessing to understand the perseverance required to move forward even when things don’t go according to plan. Alison thinks that every experience can be used to grow and learn, and she wants the athletes of the future to know that they can persevere bravely through difficult times.
These kinds of situations serve as a reminder of the highs and lows of the Olympic Games. In addition to applauding the wins and celebrating the successes, we should recognize the tenacity and will displayed by sportspeople like Alison Gibson. Their experiences encourage us to persevere and never give up in the face of difficulties.
Now let’s examine a few more noteworthy Olympic moments:
Yusuf Dikec of Turkey Wins Silver Medal “Without Equipment”
Turkish athlete Yusuf Dikec approached his sport in a unique way. During his event, he was seen appearing quite at ease, with one hand in his pocket and no shooting gear on. His relaxed approach paid off, and he and his partner unexpectedly took home the silver medal.
With a 100-meter personal best, Noah Lyles
American sprinter Noah Lyles won the 100-meter event with amazing style. He won by a mere 0.005 seconds, setting a new personal best time of 9.784 seconds. Taking less than ten seconds for all eight competitors to reach the finish line made this race the fastest-ever competition.
A chaotic 5000-meter race
During the 5000m race, a number of competitors staggered and fell face down onto the track, causing mayhem. Hugo Hay, a French runner, and George Mills of Team GB were among them. After the event, Mills had some harsh words to say to Hay, demonstrating the players’ intensity and rivalry.
Unforgettable Moment with Snoop Dogg
When Snoop Dogg arrived at the Grand Prix Special dressage team at the Olympics wearing breeches, a dressage tailcoat, and a hard hat, he made an impression. His distinct appearance and mannerisms gave the occasion a dash of excitement and fun.
These are only a handful of the many remarkable moments from the Olympics this year. We see amazing tales of tenacity and devotion from the Games, from unexpected triumphs to unanticipated obstacles. With their zeal, the athletes motivate us and serve as a constant reminder that anything is achievable with willpower and perseverance.
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