I get it that he’s trying to guard his privacy, trying to control what he can control, trying to convey an image of responsibility and respect that sets him apart from so many of his trainwreck contemporaries. But that, in combination with the vanity and the self consciousness … sometimes it’s too much.

Zac Efron is currently promoting Me & Orson Welles. It’s a dramatic turn, a departure from the high school song and dance that made him famous, his plea to Hollywood that he can be so much more, that he is indeed the heir to his idol Leonardo DiCaprio.

But was Leo ever afraid of a little sh-tbomb?

In a new interview with The Sunday Times Leo Jr discusses his ascent, accidently dropping The Swears when describing his quick rise, then quickly feeling the Disney grip around his balls:

“It was a sh-tload of luck, to be honest.” Here, as he does a few times as we talk, he catches himself, worried about the swearword, worried about how he will come across. “A lot of luck,” he corrects himself. He doesn’t want to upset his millions of fans; most of all, he doesn’t want to appear arrogant or ungrateful for his success, despite the annoyances of the paparazzi.

Hooker son, you need to man up.

I’m all for wanting to present positive, but not when self consciousness wipes out the authentic. That’s what makes him LipGloss, see?

Zac goes on to gush some more about Leo:

“I’m rewatching Leo’s transition, from my perspective. He is the best barometer for me. It’s amazing to see actors who have been able to sustain this for so long and keep positive, still focused on the work, still trying to make their best film.”

His publicist will have to step in soon, I think. Stop talking about LD in every interview. It’s getting a little sad now. (As soon as I hear “LD” I think of Vivica Fox and Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm. The episode when he tries to break up with her by acting more assy than usual her at the therapist’s office still brings the random giggles).

Sorry, I digress.

Zac’s affections however are not limited to Leonardo DiCaprio.

It turns out there’s a Twi-Hard in him too.

Apparently, as noted by the Times journalist, LipGloss decided to fangirl all over Robert DeNiro in the men’s room after the interview:

This little anecdote makes my life:

After Efron and I have said goodbye, I wander out to my car, but double back to use the loo. To my surprise, Efron is in there, gesticulating towards an older man who looks incongruous in a tweed shooting cap, thick glasses and a long brown raincoat. The older man seems taken aback by the attention. “I just love your work,” I hear Efron gushing. The older man, who looks vaguely familiar, mumbles a thank-you, raising an eyebrow to me as he leaves. He seems to have no idea he’s just been accosted by one of the most famous young stars in the world.

“Oh God,” Efron says after the man walks out. “I can’t believe I just did that. He must think I’m so ridiculous. Did you see who that was? Oh my God.”

Please.

THIS would have been a good time to pull out the cellphone, non?

Read the full interview here.

Photos from wenn.com