'I feel weird being in shades': Zac Efron wears sunglasses to hide eye infection during 'Today' interview

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Zac Efron sported an unexpected accessory that stole the spotlight on the 'Today' show on Wednesday, December 20, while he was accompanied by his 'Iron Claw' co-stars.

While in the discussion about the upcoming film with his castmates and anchor Craig Melvin, the 'High School Musical' alum said, "Zac Efron is a legitimate bonafide Hollywood superstar but that is not the reason he is in shades right now."

Zac Effron says he feels 'weird being in shades'

The 36-year-old apologized to Melvin for his choice of shades saying, "No, I’m sorry man. I feel weird being in shades."

"I just have a bit of an eye infection," he explained, adding "But I really wanted to be here. It’s such a good movie and I want to come see you guys and tell everyone about it."

Inside Zac Efron's transformation speculations in recent years

In 2022, Efron opened up about the change in his looks following a health issue.

Speculation on social media about his jaw's transformation, dubbed "jaw-gate" by Men's Health led him to disclose a part of his medical history.

He acknowledged the transformation in his appearance in recent years and shared that the change took place after he fell over at his residence in November 2013 and broke his jaw, leading to changes in his jaw and facial muscles, according to People.

Speaking to Men's Health, Efron said he sought help from a physical therapist but briefly halted the process in 2021 during the filming of the Netflix series 'Down to Earth' in Australia.

This pause caused his jaw muscles to undergo further changes. "The masseters just grew. They just got really, really big," he said.

Zac Effron 'fell into a pretty bad depression'

In preparation for his role to portray one of the Von Erich wrestling brothers in 'The Iron Claw', Efron intentionally underwent physical changes.

He further disclosed that he "fell into a pretty bad depression, for a long time" during the rigorous training for the film which is set to release in theaters on December 22.

He previously revealed to Men's Health about the difference in approach to bulk up in 'The Iron Claw' than he did in Baywatch released in 2017.

"That 'Baywatch' look, I don't know if that's really attainable," Efron said in 2022.

"There's just too little water in the skin. Like, it's fake; it looks CGI'd. And that required Lasix, powerful diuretics, to achieve. So I don't need to do that," he added.

"I much prefer to have an extra, you know, two to three percent body fat," he continued.