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Why Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler Split After Almost 9 Years Together

Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler are "going to see what happens" following their recent breakup, E! News has learned. Get the exclusive relationship details!

By Jess Cohen Jan 15, 2020 9:52 PMTags

While Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler appear to be breaking free from their relationship right now, E! News has learned that their split might not last forever.

The world was shocked to hear the news on Tuesday that the High School Musical star and the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor had called it quits after almost nine years together. The celebs, who first started dating in 2011, appeared to be going strong over the summer. However, in recent months, Hudgens, 31, and Butler, 28, have been spending time apart.

Hudgens has been overseas filming her new movie, The Princess Switch 2, over the past few months. Meanwhile, Butler appears to be in production on his new film, Baz Luhrmann's upcoming Elvis Presley biopic.

"They're just shooting on two different continents and it's a matter of distance," a source tells E! News of the couple's split. "There is no bad blood at all, and they have a lot of respect for each other."

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Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler's Sweetest Quotes

Though Hudgens and Butler "are split for now" they're "going to see what happens," a second source tells E! News.

"They have such a history and deep connection they could find their way back to one another," the insider adds. 

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It was announced over the summer that Butler had been cast as Elvis in the movie, with production set to begin in Australia in early 2020. After the casting news emerged, Hudgens took to social media to congratulate her man.

"I AMMMM OVERRRR THE F--KING MOOOOOOOOONNNNN," Hudgens wrote on Instagram in July. "I CANT WAIT SO PROUD OF MY HONEYYYYY!!!"

Days later, Butler praised Hudgens while at the premiere of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

"It's hard for me to even put into words what that girl means to me," Butler told E! News' Justin Sylvester. "I am so inspired by her every day and I just love her to my core."

Marion Curtis/StarPix for Focus Features/Shutterstock

It was just weeks ago that Hudgens opened up about her relationship with Butler in an interview with Cosmopolitan UK.

"It's eight years this year – FaceTime, good communication, respect and trust [are what keep us going]," the actress shared with the outlet. "The longest we've been apart was four months. It sucks! You start hating hearing yourself say 'I miss you.' But if it's your person, you make it work."

E! News has reached out to Hudgens and Butler's reps for comment, but we've yet to receive a response.