Vanessa Hudgens Reflects on Her Filipino Heritage: 'I Am Proud'

Vanessa Hudgens is getting candid about her heritage.

In a new interview with Allure, the 34-year-old actress discussed her trip to the Philippines earlier this year and explained why it was so meaningful to her.

Keep reading to see all the quotes from Vanessa’s interview…

On her experience getting her makeup done in Asia for the first time: “I looked in the mirror and I was like, ‘Ohhh!,’. They were about porcelain skin, which is definitely a choice — not necessarily my choice. I want to be a bronze beauty. The tanner, I am the happier I am, and the healthier I look and feel, so that isn’t my bag, really. That was the biggest beauty culture shock I’ve ever had.”

On people comparing her to her character Gabriella from HSM: “Obviously, I became famous for High School Musical. And my character is Gabriella Montez, so everyone automatically assumed that I was Latina, and most people still do. And when I tell them I’m Filipino, they’re like, ‘What?!’ You haven’t met my mother. I think that I’m quite ambiguous so people don’t really know. But I am doing everything that I can to let people know, because I am proud.”

On being grateful for being able to represent Filipinos on TV: “The most incredible thing is when I have these girls come up to me, and they’re like, ‘you were the first person that I saw that looks like me on TV.’ I want to cry. It’s just really beautiful to be able to be an identifying person that helps allow others to feel seen.”

On her experience growing up in America and feeling empowered to represent her heritage: “Yes, I had rice with every meal, but I didn’t necessarily feel like I was super separated from the other kids in school, just because my upbringing was so extremely American. It felt so empowering to know where you’re from, and be able to represent your heritage.”

On her take on what the “American Dream” is: “I feel like the American Dream is something that a lot of people have. So, when you finally do make it out here, you want to live that dream. It makes sense, but I’m now at this place where I’m like, No, let’s embrace it. Celebrate it, shout it from the top of the mountain.”

Check out more from Vanessa at Allure.com.

Vanessa recently reunited with some of her HSM castmates. Check out the photos here!