Zac Efron and the curse of Disney

Former Disney heartthrob Zac Efron secretly checked into rehab for treatment for alleged cocaine addiction, according to reports in the US.

To his mainly female fans, the 25-year-old star of High School Musical appeared to have successfully navigated the sometimes perilous transformation from teenage star to Hollywood leading man.

But according to celebrity website TMZ, the clean-cut actor may not have escaped the ‘curse of Disney’ after all.

Efron, who starred in The Lucky One and 17 Again, was alleged to have sought treatment in rehab for a cocaine problem five months ago after reportedly spiralling “out of control” during the filming of his new film, Neighbours.

He is said to have been a “no show” on the set of the movie, in which he stars as the head of a fraternity house at an American university, for several days.

“It was common knowledge he was struggling with cocaine,” a source connected to the film told the site. The actor was also said to have dabbled in ‘Molly’, a pure form of Ecstasy popular in clubs.

“We’re told early this year Zac and some friends went on a coke rager in a room at the SkyLofts at the MGM Grand in Vegas... and caused around $50,000 [Dh183,000] in damage. No word on who took care of the bill,” added TMZ.

Another source confirmed that Efron completed a stint in rehab, but added that the actor is “doing great”.

The friend added: “He’s taking care of himself and it shows.” Another friend said: “He’s healthy, happy and not drinking. He’s taking time to focus on working.”

While Efron hasn’t commented on the rehab reports, he told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival recently: “I’m good, real good.”

Up until now, Efron had avoided the type of controversy that has plagued other former Disney stars including Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus and even his High School Musical co-star Vanessa Hudgens.

Lohan, who starred in The Parent Trap, was jailed for cocaine use and driving under the influence, while one-time Mickey Mouse Club singer Britney Spears infamously shaved her head and was committed to a psychiatric ward.

Hudgens, who played Efron’s girlfriend in High School Musical and dated the actor in real life, apologised to her fans in 2007 after a nude photo of her appeared online.

Cyrus, who starred in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, has been causing outrage with sexually provocative performances.

Efron will next appear on the big screen in Parkland, about the days surrounding President Kennedy’s death in 1963. He plays the doctor who battled to save JFK.