Austin Butler only refers to his ex Vanessa Hudgens as a “girlfriend” even though they have been together for 10 years

Austin Butler has come under fire for referring to his almost 10-year-old ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens, as a girlfriend in a recent interview.

The 31-year-old Elvis star shared a story about his former longtime love during The Hollywood Reporter’s Actors Roundtable and explained how his “boyfriend” encouraged him to take on the role of Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic.

Speaking to fellow actors Colin Farrell, Brendan Fraser, Jeremy Pope, Ke Huy Quan and Adam Sandler, the Golden Globe winner recalled how the role came about.

Austin Butler has come under fire for referring to his almost 10-year-old ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens, as a girlfriend in a recent interview. Together in the picture 2019

‘A month before I heard that Baz [Luhrmann] was shooting the movie, I was looking at the Christmas lights and there was an Elvis Christmas carol on the radio and I was with a friend of mine,” he said.

“I was singing along and my friend looked at me and said, ‘You have to play Elvis. I said, “Oh, that’s such a long shot.”‘

“A few weeks later I was playing the piano,” he continued.

The 31-year-old Elvis star shared a story about his former longtime love during The Hollywood Reporter’s Actors Roundtable and explained how his “boyfriend” encouraged him to take on the role of Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic

“I never really sang for any of my friends or anything. The same friend was there and I played the piano.

She said: “I’m serious. You have to figure out how to get the rights to a script.” Then my agent called and said, “So Baz Luhrmann is doing an Elvis movie.”

While Butler didn’t specifically name Hudgens, 34, when telling the story, the actress shared a very similar story in 2019 when the couple were still together.

“Last December we were driving along and we heard Christmas music and then an Elvis Presley Christmas carol came on,” she recalled during an episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan.

‘A month before I heard that Baz [Luhrmann] was shooting the movie, I was looking at the Christmas lights and there was an Elvis Christmas carol on the radio and I was with a friend of mine,” he recalls

While Butler didn’t specifically name Hudgens, 34, in his story, the actress shared a very similar story in 2019 when the couple were still together

‘He had just dyed his hair dark. He’s naturally blonde and I looked at him and he sang along and I said, “Babe, you gotta play Elvis.”

“Then in January he sat at the piano,” she continued.

“And he’s playing and he’s singing and I’m like, ‘I don’t know how, but you have to figure out how to play Elvis. I don’t know how we get rights or what we do, but you have to play him.”‘

Fans of High School Musical star Hudgens weren’t impressed with Butler after he didn’t mention his ex in his story.

Fans of the High School Musical star weren’t impressed with Butler after he didn’t mention his ex in his story

Many took to Twitter and labeled him “disgusting” and “disrespectful.”

“He calls Vanessa Hudgens a ‘friend’ PLEASEEEE,” one tweeted while sharing a clip from the interview, while another wrote in replies, “He’s so obnoxious I’m sorry.”

“Imagine spending an entire decade with someone just to refer to them as a ‘friend’ in interviews Iaawd I would shed real tears,” added one fan.

“Vanessa has to curse him,” tweeted another.

“This is just…absolutely devilish.,,,,hope she draws a missing girl,” added one.

Many took to Twitter and labeled him “disgusting” and “disrespectful.”

In early 2020, it was revealed that Butler and his longtime partner Hudgens had decided to go their separate ways.

The couple reportedly split in late 2019 but became official in January the following year, a source told UsWeekly at the time.

“Vanessa and Austin are officially split, and Vanessa has opened up about her breakup to those close to her,” the insider claimed.

In early 2020, it was revealed that Butler and his longtime partner Hudgens had decided to go their separate ways. Pictured together at the UNICEF Summer Gala in August 2019

The pair reportedly split in late 2019, but made it official in January the following year when they were pictured together at the 2018 premiere of Dog Days

They began dating in September 2011 and went public with their romance in July 2012 at the premiere of their film Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.

In December 2017, rumors circulated that the couple had become engaged when Hudgens flashed a diamond ring on her marital finger, but she later denied the claims.

Butler has since moved on and is dating Kaia Gerber after they sparked a romance in December 2021 when they were spotted attending a yoga class together.

For her part, Hudgens is now dating MLB star Cole Tucker. The pair first sparked romance rumors when they were spotted holding hands in November 2020.

Prior to her relationship with Butler, Hudgens dated her former High School Musical co-star Zac Efron between 2005 and 2010.

Butler and Hudgens began dating in September 2011 and went public with their romance in July 2012 at the premiere of their film Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (pictured).