(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Vanessa Hudgens has revealed it was difficult maintaining a long-distance relationship with Zac Efron.

The former Disney star has admitted that her highly-publicised romance with the 23-year-old hunk ended because their conflicting work schedules made their romance impossible. The 22-year-old split from Zac in December last year after almost four years together.

"Long-distance relationships are hard no matter what," she told Shape magazine. "When you don't have face-to-face time, it's just different. Having an iPhone helped, but it wasn't the same."

Vanessa - who has remained friends with her former High School Musical co-star says the relationship worked because they were both down to earth. She didnt have to pretend to be someone she wasnt, because the pair were so comfortable together.

"The relationship kept me grounded and because I was with someone who knew me so well, I didn't need to try to be someone that I'm not," she explained.

Vanessa has no regrets about spending so much time with Zac. She has revealed she has only fond memories of the relationship as it was comforting to have each other as they were carving out a career in Hollywood.

"We grew up together," she says. "It was nice to have someone share all those experiences with. It was a good thing."

The couples real-life romance blossomed on the set of the Disney film series, High School Musical. The two were paired together during the audition process and got the part because of their chemistry. Their characters, Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, were sweethearts in the movies. (C) Cover Media