Well, *that* happened

[ehs_wildcats]

LA Times has perhaps the most non-sensationalized version of this story, so I'll lead with that:
Actor Zac Efron got into an altercation with at least one homeless person early Sunday in downtown Los Angeles after the vehicle he and a friend were driving became "stranded," police officials confirmed

Comments

[ehs_wildcats]

p.s. i keep coming back to his moment of fear about losing it all and it kinda breaks my heart a little

[countessm3]

he can't make a break for himself...

As one who believes in Free Will, I think every action has a reaction, every choice we make has consequences.

As one who believes in PreDestination/Fate, etc. I think God's on Zac like white on rice, and this is The Holy Smack upside the head with the words, "Quit foolin around, will ya, and get your arse back on track!"

God never gives up on us - that is, He is always waiting at home with open arms for the prodigal son to return. But sometimes he quits actively searching us out/intervening and leaves us to go our own way, and that way is death.

God's not letting Zac get away with it - and that's the sign of divine love and grace.

[lauren901]

so your saying and what tmz is reporting that zac is struggling to stay sober? because ive read half of this and it sounds like zac is struggling yet he goes to meetings and etc?

[ehs_wildcats]

trying to stay sober is always going to be a struggle. that's the thing. i mean the initial period is the worst by far, but he could be years down the road and have been clean for a long time and then slip, for example philip seymour hoffman.

[musewriter]

Cady your way with words is stunning. Well said. My legitimate question is this (and I'm so behind on reading the articles) but for someone who supposedly got hit in the face, he sure looked fine at the ESPN shoot. There's a lot that doesn't add up.

I only hope if he is facing relapse that he can find the strength to get help again. There is no shame in that and I hope he realizes that.

The people who wish him ill will are just sick.

[ehs_wildcats]

yeah there are a number of things that don't quite make sense or match up, though i imagine tmz is the exaggerated version of things. their sources seem especially dubious given how they so badly messed up the location, much to zac's detriment as now skid row is on the tip of everyone's tongue tbh. even the times don't match up. and ofc the cop in the la times says only there were indications of a fight not that they saw the fight. so who knows if it was really that much of a brawl or rather some pushing around. and all of that doesn't even account for the 'bodyguard' statement

[musewriter]

That's the thing that make sense. Even if any of this is half true, if the cops were there why did they let them go? If there was "evidence of an altercation" or suspicious activity you don't just let the involved parties go...

[kleth]

The story was on Good Morning America today - not as sensational as TMZ, and with (ugh) lots of intro clips from HSM and the quick closer, "he has also done some more mature roles."

The cop business is the one ray of hope in this story. They would of course survey the participants for signs of intoxication. The fact that neither Zac nor his companion were detained means that they didn't appear to be hindered from driving.

[jeezbee]

Sad to hear about Zac's troubles. I hope that whatever demons he's fighting he will find the insight and willpower to overcome them. Likely we will never know what really happened and that's ok - it's not our business. As bad as this looks and tbh is, I guess I'm just happy it didn't end up even worse; no arrests, photos, etc.

As said, it's really a pity that this happened right now because it will likely create a major career setback. I suspect it is extremely frustrating for Zac if he isn't getting new work and now it might be even longer for someone to take a risk on him. It's all a vicious circle and I really hope he can break it.

I wish he would focus the time he's not working on something productive. He needs to find other ways to define himself. But if he wants to keep making movies, why not try to use the time and invest in learning more about it. It might help him pick better projects than TAM too. And I hope he actually tries writing a script and not only talks about it. If he can write himself a good screenplay,

[ryanefron]

If anything, I hope this experience will be enough to scare him away from falling back into addiction. Even though it sounds unlikely that drugs WERNT involved, I pray that they weren't. Its seemed like he's been doing a lot better, and keeping his head above water.
Whatever ends up happening, I don't think it will sabotage his career. If people like Shia Labeouf can still land roles, so can Zac.

But thanks for clearing all of that mess up with the articles, its much appreciated.

[ehs_wildcats]

the problem is that studios need insurance coverage for him in case something happens to him while filming but the more problems, the less likely anyone will insure him. plus producers only gamble on someone unpredictable if they are a huge draw and he isn't right now. but it does baffle me that people who are secret (or even not-so-secret) drug users can still get insured and get jobs, while someone who has actually admitted they have a problem and is trying to get help can't. at the same time, in a sad way, once you try to be clean you're almost less stable than a functional addict.