Vanessa Hudgens Hits The Gym, Spends Time With Family

Despite being one of the biggest young adult stars around these days, Vanessa Hudgens loves to spend time with her family.

?I used to be very shy,? the actress, 22, says. ?Hiding behind a character allowed me a certain freedom that I didn?t have.�It may have been easier in the past to do that, to put on a face and hide behind it. Now I?m growing into a confident young woman, and I?m proud to show that.?

As for making the transition from her Disney image, the actress speaks from experience. ?I think it?s about surrounding yourself with the right people,? she says. ?A lot of people may get lost in the lights and glamour of it all. It should be about the work first and everything else later.?

PHOTOS: Check out Vanessa and her new flame!

?I had my family to keep me grounded. I?m so close to my mom (an office worker) and dad (a firefighter). Their world doesn?t revolve around Hollywood,? and that?s clear when she was spotted having lunch with her mom and sister yesterday in Studio City.

Kasey Chambers Kelly Monaco Asia Argento Paulina Rubio Cindy Crawford