Zac Efron covers the latest issue of USA Weekend, probably ensuring USA Today more tween and teen readers this week than in its entire history.  The star of 17 Again talks about leaving the High School Musical franchise behind, his childhood, and his uncomfortable relationship with celebrity life.

On his childhood:

“My parents really kept us anchored…I played sports on weekends — baseball, basketball — and when I sucked at those, I started playing golf and ping-pong in the garage. After I lost interest, I started singing. I was always singing to the point where my parents would shout, ‘Shut up, Zac! Enough already!’…”I wasn’t a genius like some of my friends who slacked off and got A’s…But I was a hard worker. I always give 100%.”

On his new film:

“I saw it as a more complex part that could help me shift into adult material…”I’m at a transition point…My taste is changing. I’m growing up.”

On being a rather reluctant celebrity:

“I didn’t want to be famous…I get sick of seeing my own face around.  I used to get so frustrated. For a while, I felt like I was completely lost in celebrity-land. I didn’t know how to handle it. Now I know that I have to plot where I’m going, when I’m going there and where the back entrance is. It’s like I’m playing a giant game of tag.”

Read the entire interview here.  And don’t forget to check out the gallery of photos below!

Photo Source:  USA Weekend

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