Vanessa Hudgens wants to have it all.
The 24-year-old brunette beauty stuns on the October cover of Marie Claire magazine, in which she opens about her future hopes and dreams, her early struggles in the Hollywood biz and living her life in the public eye.
"Money was a big thing. My parents drove me up to L.A., which cost a lot because of gas, and took out loans so that we could move from location to location to be close to L.A.," the erstwhile Disney star says of the initial obstacles in her career before she made it big as a High School Musical star. "The family definitely struggled. They were very supportive of me. They gave up a lot so that I could get to where I am."
The actress is undoubtedly grateful for her success, which has also provided the young beauty with a strong sense of self as well as the confidence to continue advancing her career in her post-Disney days
"I am so comfortable with myself—honing in on what I love and what makes me powerful," she explains. "Things I've been doing lately, I'm super-proud of. So I don't really care if someone doesn't like it, because I love it."
While the Spring Breakers star has clearly made an effort to challenge herself with more difficult roles, Hudgens is fully aware that she's still a role model for many, opening about her infamous Coachella incident where she was accused of drug use after a particularly damning photograph.
"I couldn't do anything but laugh. It's amazing how people like to create something out of absolutely nothing," she says. "I am human like everyone else. I am aware that there are people who look up to me. When mistakes are made, they aren't intentional, and I constantly push myself to be a better person."
Fair enough. And the former High School Musical star also opens up about finding happiness in the cutthroat Hollywood world.
"You have a choice whether you want to be happy or not. I choose to be happy. And it's been working out pretty well," she says, adding. "A sense of knowing I'm part of something bigger than myself has allowed me to enjoy life more. And not worry about the little things. Like paparazzi."
Hudgens' Spring Breakers costar Selena Gomez also shares her thoughts on her pal's down-to-earth demeanor, insisting Hudgens hasn't let her life in Hollywood go to her head.
"She's not jaded at all," Gomez insists. "The person you see and talk to is the same person I talk to."
As for Hudgens' dreams for the future?
"A vintage Mustang, kids, and an Oscar," the Frozen Ground star confesses.
Good luck, girl! You're off to a great start.