"... I assure you I showered this morning. Minutes before I got here. And I do it every day. Sometimes twice ..."

Zac Efron has already graduated to a feature film career with roles in 'Hairspray' and next year's 'Me and Orson Welles,' but he's heading back to class with 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year.'

The good news is that 'HSM' has grown up as well, with the third installment headed to a movie theater near you (opens Oct. 24). Moviefone dropped by the set in St. Lake City, Utah, and talked to Zac about whether he showers daily, his "extremely physical" dance with Corbin Bleu and why he usually lets Vanessa Hudgens take the lead.

Zac Efron Interview

    Zac Efron has already graduated to a feature film career with roles in 'Hairspray' and next year's 'Me and Orson Welles,' but he's heading back to class with 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year.'

    The good news is that 'HSM' has grown up as well, with the third installment headed to a movie theater near you (opens Oct. 24). Moviefone dropped by the set in St. Lake City, Utah, and talked to Zac about whether he showers daily, his "extremely physical" dance with Corbin Bleu and why he usually lets Vanessa Hudgens take the lead. --Liane Bonin

    Ferdaus Shamim, WireImage

    1. Since this is probably the last one for you "seniors," what is the feel like on the 'High School Musical 3' set?

    Yesterday, we shot the final scene of the movie. And afterwards, I was surprised at how emotional even I got. It was crazy thinking how we grew up together, all of us, in a lot of different ways. And this really feels like the final chapter. I think a few of the girls got pretty emotional.



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    2. But not you or Corbin Bleu?

    No [laughs]. We tried to be tough.



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    3. It seems like the dancing routines are more rigorous this time around.

    I showed up to rehearsals a few weeks late because I was working on a different project, and it was the worst mistake of my life, because I was kind of just thrown into a number of dances that were extremely difficult. I was a little bit intimidated, but after a few weeks of rehearsals, we got it down. It was tough. There were a lot of hot tubs.



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    4. What was intimidating about the song-and-dance numbers?

    'Boys Are Back' is a new number with just me and Corbin, which feels great for this movie because we have never done anything like it before. It was extremely physical. I had to move in ways I could never imagine. Then, I have a waltz with Vanessa. I can't imagine when people did that for fun, because it's so hard. It's hard for me to dance on my own, and then in a waltz you have to kind of guide the girl. It's funny, but I feel Vanessa leading me a lot more than I lead her.



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    Steve C. Wilson, AP

    5. How is Troy's reunion with Gabriella, anyway?

    Man, I dunno. That's a tough question. I'm not sure. I don't want to ruin anything.



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    6. How are the paparazzi in Utah?

    This is the closest I've had to a vacation since filming [the first one]. The paparazzi have been nonexistent. If we want to go out and get dinner we usually aren't bothered. It's great. It's really cool. I'm really excited by that.



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    7. So you've been living it up, then?

    This time is different. We're not minors anymore so we can work longer hours [laughs]. We haven't had much time off to do anything. I know that's disappointing for you, because that's where all the good stuff comes from.



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    8. Have you read any crazy rumors about what is going down on set?

    I just got a funny one from my dad this morning. I assure you I showered this morning. Minutes before I got here. And I do it every day. Sometimes twice. So, that's kind of funny. But my dad was kind of like razzing me for it. So, I can't help but laugh.



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    9. Did filming 'High School Musical 3' feel like a real graduation in a sense?

    Yeah, it did, overwhelmingly so. There is no describing how many good times we've had filming these movies. They've literally been a dream come true. So, the idea this could very well be the last time makes you kind of emotional. Here comes adulthood! You just wonder if it ever is going to be as fun.



    Related Links
    Get 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' showtimes, trailers, photos and more
    See Zac Efron Photos

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