Fans React To Zac Efron's Dad Bod Transformation

Zac Efron has been gracing our screens ever since he appeared on an episode of Firefly back in 2002. After getting a few more gigs under his belt, the actor became everyone's crush when he made his debut as Troy Bolton in High School Musical on Disney Channel in 2006. Over the years, Efron has become a household name in Hollywood and has been recognized as a skilled actor, dancer, and singer. However, in July 2020, Efron decided to do something different. 

On July 10, 2020, Down to Earth with Zac Efron dropped on Netflix. In the documentary series, Efron travels around the world with health and wellness expert Darin Olien to find ways to live a healthy, sustainable life. "Food, water, and energy are all the main staples for modern life," Efron says in the trailer. "We're going to meet some top, eco innovators to see how change is an inside job. And we're going to be eating — really, really well. We need to start re-thinking how we consume everything — from our food to our power. Change has to start somewhere." From Iceland to the Amazon rainforest, Efron discovered something new and interesting throughout his journey, which took place over eight episodes. 

Aside from watching the gorgeous hunk venture around the globe, fans were intrigued when they noticed he got rid of his six-pack abs and instead sported a fuller figure, a.k.a a dad bod. Keep reading to see fans' surprising reactions.

It's easy to see why Zac Efron makes everyone swoon. Not only is he good-looking, but he sings, acts, dances, and cares about the environment. Need we say more? In July 2020, Netflix released Efron's show, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, where he travels around the world with a health and wellness expert. Throughout his journey, he visited Iceland, Costa Rica, and Peru — to name a few places — ate delicious food, and toured magnificent landmarks. But one thing fans couldn't help but notice? Efron looked a bit different.

Instead of showing off his impressive abs during some scenes, social media users pointed out that Efron looked a little huskier and more rugged with his scruffy beard and long hair. So much so, people couldn't help but point out that his High School Musical days are behind him and instead called him "daddy" — a.k.a a handsome older man. 

"i was never a fan of zac efron cause he always looked like a baby but now he's older and thicker and i'm all for it. zac is officially daddy status," one person wrote. Another added, "Thinking about Zac Efron's 'dad bod' and how I may or may not have yelled 'daddy' at some point during the series." Naturally, some fans couldn't help but get excited over Efron's epic transformation. "I'd like Zac Efron's parents' phone number so I can just leave a three minute voicemail of me applauding," one user tweeted. 

After Zac Efron's Netflix show, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, was released in July 2020, viewers immediately became obsessed with Efron's new look: long hair, a beard, and less abs. Soon enough, the Hollywood star was being called "daddy" on the internet. However, Twitter users wanted to clear up one common misconception: Just because Efron is being called a daddy does not mean he necessarily has a dad bod — a.k.a "a male physique that is relatively slim but not lean or toned."

One person wrote, "Zac Efron's dad bod? More like Zac Efron's daddy bod imho." Queer Eye's Karamo Brown joined in on the heated debate, writing, "A 'Dad Bod' what the f**k! Gurl, bye." Another person couldn't believe that Efron was getting called out in the first place. "If people are saying Zac Efron has a 'dad bod' looking like this ... there's no hope for the rest of us," they wrote. 

If people are saying Zac Efron has a “dad bod” looking like this... there’s no hope for the rest of us. pic.twitter.com/tMgOE8pA0z

— Ben Hallam (@BenHallam_8) July 15, 2020

All in all, it doesn't seem like Efron is upset over any of the comments about his physique. In fact, on July 12, 2020, Efron seemed to be grateful to everyone who has tuned into the series. "Love you guys. #downtoearth #netflix," he captioned a photo of himself from the show on Instagram.

Good news, Zac Efron fans! If you're into the actor's new physique — you know, less six-pack abs and more of a fuller figure — then you're in luck. After Efron flaunted his body on his Netflix show, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, in July 2020, fans were quick to point out that he went from 17 Again to looking like an older, attractive man in a short period of time.

In 2017, Baywatch was released, in which Efron was in tip-top shape — he showed off his incredibly toned abs in the flick — and the High School Musical alum was probably as fit as his co-star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. However, Efron seems to be happy with how he looks now. "That was actually a really important time to do Baywatch because I realized that, like, when I was done with that movie, I don't ever want to be in that good of shape again. Really ... It was so hard," Efron told Sean Evans on an episode of First We Feast in April 2020.

"You're working with almost no wiggle room, right? You've got things like water under your skin that you're worrying about, like, making your six-pack into a four-pack. S**t like that that's just not ... it's just stupid," he added. 

Regardless of what Efron looks like, we're sure he will continue to make people's hearts soar and fly for years to come.