High School Musical star Zac Efron has revealed he bought a house so he could skateboard indoors. The actor bought his first property earlier this year and admits he had it designed specifically so he can indulge in his favourite pastime without going out in public, reports contactmusic.com.

“It’s unique, very modern, very clean, very simple, with concrete floors so I can skateboard inside the house,” he said. [Source]

The 18-year-old, who has also been hailed as a new Cliff Richard, was crowned the X Factor winner on Sunday night with 61 per cent of the vote. In what was billed as the closest final in the history of the television talent show, McElderry beat call centre worker Olly Murs to the biggest prize in the music business.

In front of an estimated television audience of 20 million, the performing arts student from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, landed a £1 million recording deal and an all-but-guaranteed number one in the Christmas chart. And Cowell is already planning to fly the teenager to the States in the New Year to tie up a lucrative deal, which will reportedly make the singer £5 million.

Three major US TV networks and several Hollywood studios have reportedly already contacted Cowell about working with McElderry. They think he could be in a perfect position to take over from former teenage idol Efron, 22, who has made millions from the High School Musical films. [Source]

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were spotted shopping in Los Angeles on December 13th, 2009. Enjoy the pics! UPDATED!

By the way, creative director of the Elle magazine, Joe Zee, tweeted, “Brunch at Ammo. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens a few tables over and I think I’m more giddy than the next table of 4 kids, ages 5-8.”

Happy 21st birthday, Vanessa! May all your wishes come true!!!

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• December 13 – Out & About In Los Angeles (x54)

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were spotted leaving a gym in North Hollywood on December 12th, 2009. Enjoy the pics!

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• December 12 – Leaving Gym In North Hollywood (x7)

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were spotted arriving at the LAX airport in Los Angeles on December 10th, 2009. Enjoy the pics!

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• December 11 – At LAX Airport In Los Angeles (x35)

Actress Nikki Blonsky is busy prepping for ‘Hairspray 2′ and tells PopEater the sequel will live up to the success of the 2007 movie musical.

“Behind the genius of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, they are writing 17 brand new songs… We have all the right people who came up with the first one, so they can knock the second one out of the park.” Director Adam Shankman and writer John Waters will also be returning to work on the new film.

‘Hairspray 2: White Lipstick’ is slated for 2010 and will follow the success of 2007′s Broadway tuner that grossed $200 million when re-adapted for the screen.

Zac Efron will be back. “Where would Tracy be without Link? He is the only Link in my heart,” Blonsky says.

Although she doesn’t know where the couple will be in their relationship, she is pulling for no romantic drama. “I can only imagine they would still be together. Tracy and Link are the ‘Hairspray’ couple,” she adds. [Source]

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens hosted a party for the actress’s Sucker Punch castmates at Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House in Vancouver, B.C. The casually dressed duo picked out platters of food to serve family style and also mingled with all their guests during the four-hour dinner.

“They played musical chairs, going from table to table to speak with all their friends,” a source says.

The couple was also “very affectionate with each other” as they enjoyed their meal. Afterwards, the group piled into a stretch limo and continued the party at Hudgens‘ hotel. [Source]

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were spotted in Vancouver on 5 December 2009. Enjoy the pics! UPDATED!

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• December 5 – Out & About In Vancouver (x11)

Zac Efron doesn’t tell his parents about his daredevil antics – because they have a tendency to wrap the young actor up in cotton wool. The High School Musical star, 22, says he didn’t let his dad know he’d been bungee jumping because he wouldn’t have been too pleased.

“When I went bungee jumping recently I didn’t tell my dad on purpose,” says Zac. “When the production company found out I had done it mid-way through filming they were almost as upset as my dad. My dad was like ‘What were you thinking?’ So I didn’t tell him – but in hindsight that was not a good idea either. I should’ve been honest. But it was so much fun and I would love to go skydiving at some point now.” [Source]

Zac Efron attended “Me and Orson Welles” premiere in Austin on 30 November 2009. Enjoy the pics! UPDATED!

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• ‘Me And Orson Welles’ Austin Premiere 11/30/2009 (x60)