Social media influencer Bretman Rock has never been one to mince words, but his latest revelations about fellow Filipino-American celebrity Vanessa Hudgens have stirred up a fresh wave of conversation about celebrity culture, identity, and the sometimes awkward dynamics that play out behind the scenes. On January 7, 2026, Bretman appeared on the "Sweet or Savory Podcast," hosted by Filipino-American couple AJ Rafael and Alyssa Navarro, where he was prompted to share his most disappointing celebrity encounter. Without much hesitation, Bretman dropped a name that surprised many: Vanessa Hudgens.
The story, as recounted by Bretman and corroborated by multiple outlets including GMA Integrated News and LionhearTV, traces back to the pre-pandemic days of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, specifically around 2017 or 2018. Both Bretman and Vanessa were invited guests of the vegan gummy vitamin brand SugarBear (or Sugar Bear Hair, as some sources specify). The incident unfolded when Bretman arrived at the Sugar Bear house to pick up his festival tickets and spotted the brand’s CEO—someone he described as a friend—chatting with Vanessa.
“I was trying to get his attention and waving, not at her, and she looks at me and tries to hide,” Bretman explained on the podcast, as reported by Philnews.ph and GMA Integrated News. The moment, seemingly trivial to outsiders, left a lasting impression on Bretman. He emphasized, “First of all, I’m not saying ‘hi’ to you. I was always Team Sharpay. Let’s just get that out of the way. I’m not a fan.” The reference to "Team Sharpay" is a clear nod to the rivalry between Vanessa’s character Gabriella Montez and Ashley Tisdale’s Sharpay Evans in the beloved Disney franchise High School Musical—a rivalry that, for Bretman, appears to have spilled over into real life.
Bretman’s irritation didn’t stop at the awkward greeting. He recounted how Vanessa’s companion, or as some reports say, her assistant, physically positioned themselves to block his view, which he interpreted as an unnecessary move given that both parties were invited for the same reason. “There’s no reason for you to be hiding or to have your assistant hide you because the only ones here are the ones invited,” he declared, according to LionhearTV.
But the conversation took on an even sharper edge when Bretman addressed issues of cultural identity and authenticity. “You’re not above me, I’m not under you. I’m Filipino, btch. Like, you can’t even like your own people?” he said, a statement that quickly made the rounds on social media and was quoted verbatim by both Philnews.ph and GMA Integrated News. For Bretman, the slight at Coachella was not just about personal snubbing—it was about a perceived lack of solidarity and pride in their shared heritage. He made it clear that he never sought Vanessa’s approval or admiration, stating, “Girl, you’re not above me, I’m not under you. I’m Filipino b**h and you can’t even like your own people?”
Adding another layer to the drama, Bretman pointedly critiqued Vanessa’s reputation as the so-called "Coachella Queen," questioning why she received such acclaim. He also made a controversial comment about Vanessa’s ethnicity, saying, “Second of all, bh you’re not even Mexican… and third of all, bh I am not a fan.” This particular remark, referencing the confusion or assumptions about Vanessa’s background, underscored Bretman’s frustration with what he perceives as disingenuous public personas in Hollywood.
The feud didn’t end with Coachella. Earlier in 2026, Bretman continued to throw shade at Vanessa during his travels in the Philippines. He publicly mocked her for mispronouncing "Palawan," a well-known province in the country, during her tenure as a tourism ambassador for the Philippines—a role Vanessa took on in 2023, as reported by GMA Integrated News. Bretman’s critique was sharp: for someone holding the title of Global Tourism Ambassador, he felt Vanessa should at least be able to pronounce the places she represents. The jabs didn’t stop there; at the U.S. premiere of the film A Very Good Girl, Bretman made a show of pretending not to recognize Vanessa, further fueling the public spectacle.
Vanessa Hudgens, for her part, has long spoken about her pride in her Filipino roots. When she was named the Philippines’ tourism ambassador in 2023, she stated that she was “proud of her Filipino roots,” according to Philnews.ph. However, Bretman has publicly doubted the sincerity of these sentiments, telling LionhearTV that he does not believe Vanessa is truly proud of her heritage or her people.
While both celebrities are prominent Filipino-Americans in Hollywood, their approaches to cultural representation have diverged. Bretman, who frequently visits the Philippines and shares content highlighting Filipino culture, has been lauded by netizens for his authentic promotion of his heritage. Vanessa’s role as a tourism ambassador, on the other hand, has been met with both praise and skepticism, particularly in light of Bretman’s criticisms.
The public nature of Bretman’s comments has sparked debate among fans and observers. Some have sided with Bretman, appreciating his candor and willingness to call out perceived inauthenticity. Others feel the feud is unnecessary, arguing that both stars contribute to Filipino representation in their own ways. The conversation has also highlighted broader questions about what it means to authentically represent one’s culture in the spotlight, and who gets to decide the standards for pride and belonging.
Despite the controversy, neither Bretman nor Vanessa has shown signs of backing down. Bretman’s statements—"I just don’t give a f. I still don’t give a f."—suggest that he’s unlikely to soften his stance anytime soon. Vanessa, meanwhile, continues her work in entertainment and as a cultural ambassador, largely maintaining her public composure in the face of criticism.
In the end, the spat between Bretman Rock and Vanessa Hudgens is about more than a single awkward encounter at Coachella. It’s a window into the pressures and expectations placed on celebrities who straddle multiple cultures, and a reminder that even in the glitzy world of Hollywood, questions of identity, authenticity, and respect can be just as contentious as anywhere else.
