Zac Efron, the heartthrob from High School Musical, made headlines once again as he appeared on The Today Show wearing dark sunglasses, sparking concerns among fans. The 36-year-old actor, who hails from San Luis Obispo, California, joined his co-stars from The Iron Claw, including Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons, to discuss their latest project on NBC’s morning news program.
However, before diving into the details of his new film, Efron addressed the elephant in the room – his choice to wear sunglasses indoors. Speaking to host Craig Melvin, he confessed, ‘I feel weird being in shades! I just have a bit of an eye infection. But I really wanted to be here. It’s such a good movie, and I want to come see you guys and tell everyone about it.’
Despite the sunglasses concealing any visible signs of his health condition, fans couldn’t help but express concern for the actor. Efron, known for his boyish charm and piercing blue eyes, was uncharacteristically shielded behind the dark lenses during the live broadcast.
This recent appearance comes a year after Efron made headlines for a health scare and rumors of plastic surgery. In 2022, the actor disclosed that he ‘almost died’ following a traumatic accident at home, which shattered his jaw and altered his facial appearance. The incident clarified the speculations surrounding Efron’s noticeably different look, which had become a hot topic on social media.
Addressing the plastic surgery rumors, Efron set the record straight in an interview with Men’s Health Magazine. The actor revealed that his altered appearance was the result of a harrowing accident at home. While running and wearing socks, he slipped and crashed into a granite fountain, causing severe damage to his jaw.
Efron detailed the aftermath of the accident, explaining how he lost consciousness and woke up with ‘his chin bone hanging off his face.’ The masseter muscles inside his face and jaw compensated for the injury, leading to their significant growth and the subsequent transformation in his facial features.
‘The masseters just grew. They just got really, really big,’ Efron clarified, shedding light on the reason behind his different jawline that had captivated social media users. Despite the attention and online discussions about his appearance, the actor admitted that he was unaware of his viral status until his mother called to inquire about the plastic surgery speculations.
‘If I valued what other people thought of me to the extent that they may think I do,’ Efron shared with the magazine, ‘I definitely wouldn’t be able to do this work.’ The actor’s resilience and focus on his craft have been evident as he continues to take on diverse roles, including his recent portrayal of professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich in The Iron Claw.
During discussions about the sports-drama film, where Efron dons a wig and wrestling attire, he confessed feeling initially ‘ridiculous’ in the character’s wardrobe. However, he emphasized how the collective effort of the team brought authenticity to the portrayal of the Von Erich brothers’ wrestling legacy and added a unique dimension to the movie.
As fans express their concerns over Efron’s recent sunglasses-clad appearance on The Today Show, it remains to be seen how the actor will address the ongoing speculations. With his new film generating buzz and the actor’s personal journey capturing headlines, Zac Efron continues to navigate the spotlight with resilience and authenticity.
