Actress and recent "The Masked Singer" winner Vanessa Hudgens opens up about her decision to keep her pregnancy private, explaining why it's important to her to separate her personal life from her professional accomplishments. Hudgens also shares her experiences performing on "The Masked Singer" and her approach to the non-competitive aspect of the show.
Vanessa Hudgens, the acclaimed actress and recent winner of "The Masked Singer," has shed light on her decision to maintain the privacy of her pregnancy. Hudgens, who is expecting her first child with MLB player Cole Tucker, emphasizes the significance of distinguishing her personal life from her artistic aspirations.
"My pregnancy is something I've kept really private, which has been a really nice change," Hudgens told Fox News Digital. "I feel like, as an actor, you share so much of yourself."
Hudgens's decision to prioritize privacy stems from her belief that her artistry should take precedence over her celebrity status. She believes that recognition based solely on talent is more fulfilling than recognition based on external factors.
"It is so much more fulfilling when you're acknowledged for purely your talent than celebrity," Hudgens explained. "Because I feel like celebrity is a big thing these days, especially with social media. But talent should come first because it's so much more fulfilling."
Taking home the Golden Mask trophy on "The Masked Singer" proved to be a pivotal moment in Hudgens's career, ranking highly among her professional achievements.
"Personally, it's really high up there because it had nothing to do with 'Vanessa Hudgens' the celebrity [and] what comes with a name," she said. "It had everything to do with what I personally bring to the table on the inside with my soul and my talent. So being awarded for literally what's on the inside, it's the most beautiful thing."
While Hudgens has opted for privacy regarding her pregnancy, she expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to perform on "The Masked Singer" anonymously.
"It's really rare in all of my years of being in Hollywood do I have the opportunity to go into a job anonymous," she said. "I am an absolute goof and I crack myself up, and you give me the freedom to do so without people knowing who I am and I am just going to live my best life. Let alone do something that I really, really love and have enjoyed doing for decades now, just being on a stage and performing, and so being able to take home the win, it just, it really touched my heart."
Despite the costume's complexities, Hudgens found performing as the Goldfish to be an enjoyable experience.
"The costume itself was really impressive," she said. "I was genuinely blown away by the artistry that was brought to the table behind the scenes by the costume department. My costume alone was about… six layers to put it all together, and then the mask itself is like a piece of art. It was really, really, incredible to see it go from sketch to actuality."
Hudgens's competitive spirit on "The Masked Singer" extended beyond winning to delivering a memorable performance for her fans.
"I honestly went into it not thinking it to be a competition," Hudgens said. "I was like, my fans have wanted more music… any kind of vocals for me, I'm going to kind of do this for them. I'm also the hardest critic on myself, I'm going to be the toughest critic on myself out of everyone, so I'm just going to try to make myself proud, make them proud, do my best and see what comes from that."
Hudgens's approach to "The Masked Singer" reflects her commitment to her artistry and her desire to connect with her fans. The show provided a platform for her to showcase her talent and bring joy to her audience, regardless of the outcome.
