(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Vanessa Hudgens has opened up about her love life after splitting from long-term love Zac Efron.

The 22-year-old High School Musical actress dated Zac for three years but they ended their relationship last December.

Vanessa says that she likes being on her own, although admits to admiring members of the opposite sex from afar.

"It is fun to go look at cute boys. But at the same time, I like being single," she told E! Online. "I feel like I have all this time for myself to be able to do these roles."

Vanessa even has her own pearls of wisdom for how to cope post break-up.

"I think it's really important to love yourself and truly just be happy with yourself and just kind of let the rest of it fall into place," she mused.

Vanessa, 22, stars in upcoming gritty drama, Gimme Shelter, where she transforms from her usual girl next door role to play a homeless pregnant teen.

She even cut off her long brown locks herself for the role, which she says she misses "a lot", and is currently sporting a short pixie hair cut.

"It was shocking, but at the same time so exciting," Vanessa said of her appearance in the film. "Now it gives me the opportunity to be able to step out of what people see me as and allows them to get out of their heads and be able to just experience the film." (C) Cover Media