For a while, Vanessa Hudgens seemed to be the Golden Girl for Disney. Female lead of the mega-successful High School Musical franchise, girlfriend to heartthrob Zac Efron—it seemed Hudgens could do no wrong. Until she did.

Nude photos of the star surfaced, a scandal broke, and break-up rumors abounded. Now, Hudgens is being candid about the revealing shots for the first time.

The young star bared it all (figuratively speaking) to Seventeen magazine, saying the pics were taken for someone she was dating at one time. She called the experience “traumatic,” thanked her fans for their continued support, and expressed desire that others might learn from her mistakes. Hudgens also glowingly reported on boyfriend and co-star Zac Efron, though gossip suggests the pair have a somewhat on-again, off-again affair.