Why Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler Broke Up After 8 Years Together

Gettyimages | Kevin Winter

Vanessa Hudgens, the High School Musical star, and her long-time boyfriend, Austin Butler, have reportedly called it quits after spending eight years together in a relationship. It is certainly an unprecedented move, as it was rumored recently that the two were possibly engaged.

While fans have been clamoring to find the reason that the two would split up after such a long and prosperous relationship together, a source speaking with E! News was able to get to the bottom of matter and figure out if there's any chance the two could try again.

Gettyimages | Kevin Winter

The source revealed to E! News that the breakup was related to having to maintain a long-distance relationship and that there was no 'bad blood' between the two. Us Weekly also confirmed the split stating, "Vanessa and Austin are officially broken up, and Vanessa has been telling those close to her about their breakup."

Hudgens has been overseas for the filming of her new movie, The Princess Switch 2, for Netflix, while Butler has been gearing up for his role in a movie chronicling the life of Elvis Pressley. The source also shared that the two are 'split for now' and they're 'going to see what happens' down the road.

The insider personally felt as though Hudgens and Butler would eventually get back together. "They have such a history and deep connection they could find their way back to one another," they explained to E! News.

Gettyimages | Dia Dipasupil

And while there was not much else known about the impromptu breakup, Hudgens recently sat down with Cosmopolitan U.K. for their February 2020 cover, expressing the difficulty of having a long-distance relationship.

"It's eight years this year — FaceTime, good communication, respect and trust [are what keep us going]," she said. "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."

News of the breakup was revealed earlier this week, but the actual timeline for when it happened remains a mystery.

Gettyimages | Theo Wargo

It's worth noting that the breakup could have occurred as early as last October, as fans on social media have noticed that both Hudgens and Butler have not featured their significant other in pictures since Halloween. Regardless of the timing, though, people are shocked because of how the two emulated what it is to be the perfect couple and have relationship goals.

"Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler had set such high couple goals WHO TF AM I SUPPOSED TO LOOK UPTO NOW? #VanessaHudgens #AustinButler," one fan on Twitter wrote.

"Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler’s cute ass goofy relationship was the kind of one that we all wanted #vanessahudgens #austinbutler," another commented.

Gettyimages | Bruce Glikas

While it's probably a long shot, other people on social media have made it known that Zac Efron, Hudgen's former costar on High School Musical, is also currently single, and they'd like to see the two get together, forming the hashtag #zanessa.

"Zac Efron has entered the chat. #VanessaHudgens #austinbutler," one Twitter user comedically shared. Another said, "Vanessa Hudgens is single now and Zac Efron is single so like I miss Zanessa. #VanessaHudgens #ZacEfron."

It's more likely that Hudgens and Butler will rekindle their romance once they are back on the same continent, but we'll have to wait and see once their respective projects have reached their completion and they can once again spend time together.