Zac Efron Thinks His Baywatch Body Was ‘Unrealistic’

Zac Efron and The Rock's abs in Baywatch 2017 movie

It’s no secret Zac Efron got intensely ripped for Baywatch. He had to film opposite the insanely fit Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson after all, and that’s no small feat that just anyone could accomplish. These days, however, Efron would not recommend anyone getting into the shape he got into for Baywatch. He revealed it’s “too big,” noting,

That’s too big. For guys, that’s unrealistic. I’m telling you, I got very big and buff for that movie. But I don’t want people to think that’s the best way to be. Be your size… I don’t want to glamorize this.

While on Ellen this week, Zac Efron was confronted with a Madame Tussaud’s version of his Baywatch character, Matt Brody. Although the statue seemed slightly taller than Efron in real life (particularly given it seemed taller even given the fact he has taller hair now); however, he seemed impressed by the level of detail to the wax sculpture, which got his abs and his arm veins right.

While looking at the wax statue, Zac Efron both admired the craftmanship, yet made it clear being a size and shape that makes you comfortable should be the goal and not getting bulky to the point where you are totally unhappy and unable to enjoy your life.

He also showed off a little skin, and honestly, he still looks pretty ripped.

Zac Efron's Abs ripped in 2019

This isn’t the first time Zac Efron has been blunt about the way he trained for the movie version of Baywatch. He previously called his gym routine not “a healthy or normal way” to live, elaborating,

It's a finite period of time, but I would not consider that a healthy or normal way to live everyday life. My mood was terrible. In retrospect I can look back now and say that. People weren't telling me I was mean or anything, but I could feel that lack of carbohydrate.

Looking great is not always the same thing as feeling great, and while we can admire Zac Efron’s 2017 abs, it’s definitely worth noting that he seems a lot happier with where he is as a person now, trendy haircut and all.

Zac Efron also told Ellen DeGeneres that an early wax sculpture of him from way back in the High School Musical days also did not make him particularly happy, so assumedly there’s a balance he found somewhere between his cutesy locks as a young man and his Baywatch look. You can check out more from the interview in the video below.

Although I’m assuming that balance won’t be found in his next project Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, as he’s set to be emulating serial killer Ted Bundy in that movie. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile hits Netflix this Friday.

While you ponder Zac Efron’s abs, be sure to check out what else is coming to the streaming service in May.

Jessica Rawden
Managing Editor

Jessica Rawden is Managing Editor at CinemaBlend. She’s been kicking out news stories since 2007 and joined the full-time staff in 2014. She oversees news content, hiring and training for the site, and her areas of expertise include theme parks, rom-coms, Hallmark (particularly Christmas movie season), reality TV, celebrity interviews and primetime. She loves a good animated movie. Jessica has a Masters in Library Science degree from Indiana University, and used to be found behind a reference desk most definitely not shushing people. She now uses those skills in researching and tracking down information in very different ways.