74 Crucial Moments From Your Decade-Long Crush on Zac Efron

We've officially had more than a decade to crush on the glorious, the beautiful, Zac Efron. From his swoon-worthy High School Musical moments all the way to his epic shirtlessness at the MTV Movie Awards, there have been plenty of reasons to fall for him. Try as you might to get rid of your Zac Efron crush, he just keeps bringing you back. In honor of our whole decade of fandom, we're detailing what it's been like to love him for all these years. Keep scrolling to start the journey.

01

Zac Efron got his first big role in Summerland, and you were like, "Who is that? Who is that beautiful creature?"

02

He popped up in High School Musical, and he winked, and he sang, and you were irrevocably in love from that moment.

03

Then, the second one came out, and it only got worse. Because he only got hotter.

04

He belted it out in "Bet On It," and you felt things. So many things.

05

He rocked your world with that hip thrust, and your innocence was gone forever.

06

And he flexed his arms, and your heart skipped not one but many beats.

07

He was frustrated, because his head wasn't in the game. And you were frustrated. (Sexually, of course.)

08

When that Rolling Stone cover came out, you NEVER recovered.

09

He suited up for the HSM 3 premiere, and you realized he was hotter than you ever knew.

10

Next came Hairspray, and he was all coiffed up, and you were beside yourself.

11

There was a brief moment where you wished you were his hand, which was something you never thought you'd wish.

12

And he said this, not meaning it literally, but you volunteered as tribute anyway.

13

And he just kept getting more and more beautiful. Even in candid moments.

14

Then he was in 17 Again, and even though he was supposed to be 17, he looked like a man.

15

And he showed off his abs and you practically couldn't breathe.

In fact, every time he has one of those shirtless moments, your heart just stops.

16

And he had sensationally swoopy hair. It looked better than Justin Bieber's.

17

And that smile! That smile warmed your heart without fail.

18

He did more movies and kept getting better and better looking all the time.

19

Like Charlie St. Cloud, which you probably wouldn't have seen if it wasn't starring Zac.

20

But you had to go. For his exceptional hair and his piercing eyes.

It's OK if you printed out all of Zac Efron's movie stills and put them on your wall. It's totally OK.

21

And that smile.

22

He said things that made so much sense. You knew he was your soul mate.

23

Before long, you realized he was just as incredible in real life, too. He could even pull off a beanie and not look like a fool.

24

In your secret heart of secret hearts, though, you still preferred him all cleaned up and in a suit.

25

No matter how he dressed or how he looked, you knew he was at the peak of his beauty.

26

You became obsessed with all things Zac. You hung on every smirk.

27

Like, everything he did was too much. Even a simple head scratch.

28

He started appearing in more magazine spreads, which you had zero problems with.

29

He got down and dirty, and he still looked effervescent.

30

When he got all dressed up, he looked even better.

31

And he lost his shirt and you lost your mind.

32

You ardently wished you could feel those biceps. Just once.

33

Most of all, you just knew. You knew your love would never fade.

34

Because everyone else paled in comparison.

35

No matter what he did, you were on board. Even when he looked like he just rolled out of bed.

36

And especially when he wore a suit.

37

You were like, "Forget Aaron Samuels. Zac's hair looks so much sexier pushed back."

38

And then . . . Zac was Instagramming. And you saw pictures you'd never seen before.

Every one of Zac's Instagram pictures pretty much gives you new life.

39

Even Elmo couldn't help himself. Because that's how charming Zac is.

40

And you kinda wished you had your own helmet, for all the times you fainted up to this point.

41

And you were fine when he had his own throne. You were already worshipping him anyway.

42

Because, um, look at him.

43

Now, it's time to talk about that time Zac was just in his underwear.

44

We know, it's hard to talk about. Because it changed a lot for you.

45

You were finding more reasons to love Zac than ever before. Like, he was kissing puppies!

46

His chest had never looked better!

47

And don't even get us started on his back muscles.

48

Before long, shirtless set pictures were emerging and your heart was racing.

These became some of the many shirtless Zac Efron pictures that have come into our lives.

49

He was showing up at more premieres, and you knew his eyes were searching for you.

50

And you hoped he never shimmied again after this because your frail heart would not be able to handle it.

51

And then he was naked and you weren't breathing because you could see his side butt.

52

Whenever he was flexing and you were dying a little bit inside.

53

He did the booty dance and you were want for nothing else in this world.

54

People spread rumors about the struggles he was having, but you wouldn't listen. Zac would persevere.

You only listened to Zac Efron's words, and no one else's.

55

You even overlooked his relationship with Michelle Rodriguez, because you know it was just part of that weird time.

56

And then, something amazing happened.

57

You never thought you would be thankful for Rita Ora's existence, and yet . . .

58

She gave you this.

59

Zac saluted you, and you saluted him right back.

60

Because, dear lord in heaven, have mercy on our souls, look at that body.

61

He blew kisses, and you knew they were just for you.

62

You decided that this was it. No day could possibly be better.

63

He later appeared on Bear Grylls, and he was still winking, and you were still swooning.

Let's be real, there were so many magical moments during the show.

64

And his biceps came out to say hello and ignited old feelings inside you.

65

And then he whipped off his shirt. And you had to excuse yourself.

66

And now, you know for sure. It's you and Zac forever.

67

Because he pulls off scruff with ease.

68

And he even looks hot as a girl. You're like, "Still totally into that. No question."

69

Because you never get tired of that smirk.

70

You never get tired of any part of him, in fact.

71

You never get tired of seeing him dance.

72

And you definitely NEVER get tired of his shirtless body.

73
74

So say yes to Zac Efron. And say yes to that chest. And yes to life.

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