Zac Efron will never let fame go to his head - because he stays close to his childhood pals, according to his mom.

The High School Musical star became an overnight heart-throb after starring in the Disney franchise films and is dating co-star Vanessa Hudgens. But he hasn't been affected by the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown.

His mother Starla Baskett says, "Zac was raised very grounded. He was busy here in town doing plays and all that. He's had the same friends all his life, and he didn't really get into the Hollywood scene. Thank heaven for that. He's still Zac. That's from growing up here."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)