“I will show nudity in a film when the time is right, right now, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it, but like I said, when the time’s right, if it’s an amazing movie that I’m really passionate about and that’s what it calls for, then we’ll see.” – Vanessa Hudgens

I wonder why this quote is a big deal to anyone of intelligence who has not signed up to the moral brigade.

It seems to me that that is one smart answer to an unnecessary question. An answer I would expect from an aspiring thespian. Whatever she does in her private life is her business but when it comes to her craft, she’s not prepared to show nudity for nudity’s sake but if it would enhance her art, she’ll consider it.

The question begs to be asked why this quote would be an issue in an industry fascinated with sex and nudity in all forms and that promotes such even when they’re unnecessary.

I can imagine the replies, ‘Have you been living under a rock? Do you not know about that nude picture?’ Oh yeah, but what about it?

We know the facts: Vanessa did take a nude picture of herself when she was 16 and virtually unknown; someone or a group of people leaked it on the internet when it looked like her career was on the rise; everyone saved it on their phones to aid their meditations in between moralising; she apologised to her fans that the picture became public, and moved on.

Still I ask, what about it? What’s the big deal? Should she never mention the word nudity again because of that one incident? Or she should tiptoe round the topic for the rest of her life and career?

Maybe it ticks people off that at age 18, she handled a personal crisis with a maturity and class that older people still lack and survived it with her head held high. Perhaps others find it annoying that she looked that hot at age 16 and is getting hotter and more beautiful with age. Still others feel she needs to flagellate herself for not being perfect, or pretending to be perfect.

Whatever, I am not going to make any excuses or defend the incident. It is what it is, it’s done and over, she is still who she is and she’s moved on with her life and career. It’s entirely up to the public and the media to either continue their daily meditations on the picture of a 16 year old or build a bridge over it and get on with their own lives and careers.

Having flaws and making mistakes is a trait common to all humanity including the moral brigade, but it is the handling of one’s own flaws and other people’s flaws that differentiates the hypocrites from those that live in reality of their own humanity.

I for one, am happy she did not shy away from answering the question. She’s too strong a woman and too much of a survivor to hinge her life and career on one unfortunate incident. She’s also too strong a character to allow her personality and outlook be shaped by a low point in her life or give other people the leeway to slot her into a mould. No, that is for those that live for public approval. She didn’t need it when she was down, she doesn’t need it now.

As an aspiring thespian, she would deal with nudity in film like any serious thespian who is in for the art and not for an image or fame, and that is that. The Hollywood hall of fame is lined up with thespians who have survived all manner of personal and public scandals but who did not let those deter them but went on to make a mark in their careers. Some of those legends are still alive today.

She’s in good company and will be judged by history not by those who thrive on sensationalism that is here today and replaced tomorrow by the next titillating headline.

For discussions, please visit the Team Hudgens forum