Vanessa Hudgens

I really love this. I usually don't like the pinned-up fake bobs (she had long hair earlier in this day, from what I can tell from the paparazzi pics), but even that suits her. Maybe she should do it for real. I don't know -- this whole look, much like Selena's, is very sophisticated but not stuffy. I wonder if they're using the same stylist. Or the same Get A Grip Friend.

Vanessa Hudgens

This is pretty good, too. It's hanging a touch wonkily at the moment, but I think it might just be the way she's standing? Overall it still feels like a step in the right direction.

Vanessa Hudgens

The back is pretty, too -- although it must be said that from this angle, the updo is swerving precariously close to the cliff known as Gym Class Sweatball.

Austin Butler and Vanessa Hudgens

And, since Austin here was either adjacent to or participatory in so much of Hudgens' victorious Fug Madness run, it feels right to use a photo of both of them and just note, again, that booty shorts and skull caps may have their time and place -- maybe -- but THANK GOD these two decided the red carpet in Venice was not one of them. I was beginning to wonder if they were boycotting showers. Phew.

So Much Better Played, Vanessa Hudgens

This is such a huge step forward from her ENTIRE Fug Madness run, not to mention the recurring lace tightaloons of doom, that I am tempted to stand up and applaud and then break into a victory dance. But eating a cookie is easier, so I'm doing that instead. It's the right decision; I have no rhythm. [Photos: Getty]