Vanessa Hudgens Cancels on Jay Leno

By: Shannon Gossage

Hudgens canceled an appearance on Thursday’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno with no reason given. It has been rumored that she is still embarrassed by the scandal after a nude photo of the 18-year old hit the Internet. Hudgens, who stars in High School Musical and its sequel, apologized for the incident and said she is "embarrassed over the situation and regrets having ever taken those photos." Last week the photo started circulating the Internet and Hudgens issued a statement via her rep saying the picture "was taken privately. It is a personal matter and it is unfortunate that this has become public."

It has been rumored that Hudgens took the photo a few years ago and emailed it to Drake Bell who stars in Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh. The photos were reportedly taken before she became famous. Bell’s rep Jill Fritzo said, "Drake says he never received those photos." Hudgens played Bell’s girlfriend in an episode of the show in 2006. It has not been confirmed if she really sent him the pictures or if that was just a nasty rumor.

It seems as if most people have been pretty forgiving. Hudgens is in talks to star in a third installment of the popular HSMmovie series. A rep for Disney said in a statement, "Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgement. We hope she’s learned a valuable lesson." She also remains the face for Red by Marc Ecko. She is reportedly starring in the fall and holiday 2007 and spring 2008 campaign for the "contemporary young woman’s apparel and footwear collection." Ecko, the founder and chief creative officer of Marc Ecko Enterprises said, "More power to her. She made a mistake and has apologized for it. I’m just glad no one’s leaked the pictures of me in all of my naked glory." Wonder if Hudgens’ co-star and real life beau, Zac Efron, feels the same way…