Vanessa Hudgens continues to merge spirituality with style in her documentary Dead Hot: Season of the Witch, which debuted on Tubi in April 2023 and remains one of her most personal creative explorations to date.
Known for her bohemian-meets-glam aesthetic, the actress approaches even her mystical pursuits with the same sense of visual storytelling that defines her fashion choices.
Often hailed as a modern triple threat, Hudgens has built a career on seamlessly blending artistry, individuality, and self-expression. In Dead Hot, she channels that same creative energy—embracing her belief that she can see and communicate with ghosts—while using fashion and symbolism to reflect a darker, more introspective chapter of her evolving style journey.
“Dead Hot” is a passion project for Vanessa Hudgens and GG Magree, who are fascinated by the spirit world
Vanessa Hudgens Promotes Dead Hot in Jonathan Simkhai
For her Today show appearance, Vanessa looked bewitching in an all-black Jonathan Simkhai ensemble, composed of a ribbed crop-turtleneck top and a wrap mini skirt that showcased her toned legs.
She layered on quiet luxury with a black leather blazer draped over her shoulders and a matching Givenchy shoulder bag accented with gleaming gold hardware.
Vanessa Hudgens steps out in New York wearing a sleek all-black Jonathan Simkhai turtleneck and mini skirt topped with a leather blazer, perfectly balancing downtown edge and star-power polish in New York City on April 11, 2023 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Polished Glamour: Vanessa Hudgens’ Slicked-Back Bun and Block-Heel Platforms
Hung Vanngo did Vanessa’s neutral makeup, while Danielle Priano styled her tresses in a slicked-back bun to showcase her gold earrings.
Jason Bolden, whose clients include Gabrielle Union, Cynthia Erivo, Sabrina Carpenter, and more, added multiple rings to Vanessa’s look. She also wore her oval-cut diamond solitaire engagement ring from her fiancé, Cole Tucker, estimated at around $250,000.
The Bandslam star boosted her 5’1” height by slipping her feet into black patent Sam Edelman sandals with peep toes, platforms, delicate ankle straps, and high block heels.
She completes the monochrome look with glossy black Sam Edelman platform heels featuring towering block heels and delicate ankle straps for a bold, modern finish (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Sam Edelman at a Glance: Celebrity Shoe Favorites and Timeless Designs
Known for blending comfort with runway-ready polish, Sam Edelman has long been a go-to label for celebrities and style editors alike. From Selena Gomez’s studded ankle boots to Lucy Liu’s red-carpet heels, these live Your Next Shoes features capture the brand’s enduring appeal and fashion versatility.
👠 Explore Sam Edelman Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 🔍 Sam Edelman Shoes: Why Celebrities Can’t Get Enough of These Chic Styles — a deep-dive on the brand’s celebrity appeal and design legacy.
- 📊 The 5 Most Popular Sam Edelman Shoes for Women of All Time — a timeless shopping and style reference guide.
- 🎬 Lucy Liu Wins Lifetime Achievement Award in Sam Edelman Heels — a standout red-carpet moment pairing Hollywood glamour with accessible luxury.
- ☔ Stylish & Sturdy: Sam Edelman Laguna Boots Are the Waterproof Heroes You Need — functional fashion elevated by signature detailing.
- ✨ Love Studded Heels? Selena Gomez’s Sam Edelman Renzo Ankle Boots — an enduring celebrity shoe moment that showcases the brand’s edgy sophistication.
Embracing Empowerment Through Witchcraft
While promoting her documentary on Today, the High School Musical alum opened up about her fascination with spirituality and her desire to redefine witchcraft as a symbol of empowerment and connection.
“I want to take away the stigma of witchcraft being something evil. It’s beautiful, it’s empowering. It’s about sisterhood and lifting other women up,” she told hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.
The Journey 2 star recalled that her “first conscious awakening” happened while filming in Scotland, where a makeup artist with a family history of witchcraft introduced her to its deeper meaning and traditions.
Vanessa Hudgens keeps her look sleek and modern with her hair styled in a slicked-back bun, gold stud earrings, and a structured black leather blazer layered over a ribbed turtleneck (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Vanessa Hudgens Doubles Down on Chic in a Plaid Jonathan Simkhai Dress
Austin Butler’s ex later appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show in another Jonathan Simkhai creation —a plaid shirt dress that once again showcased her toned legs.
The casual ‘fit featured a deconstructed silhouette with a collar, long sleeves, and a sleeve-like waist tie. She paired the look with the same Sam Edelman heels she wore earlier and swapped her stud earrings for gold hoops.
Beauty-wise, Vanessa wore soft smoky eyeshadow with nude lipstick. She then parted her tresses to one side and styled them in waves down her back.
Vanessa Hudgens exudes effortless daytime polish on The Drew Barrymore Show in a deconstructed plaid Jonathan Simkhai shirt dress paired with her glossy black Sam Edelman platform heels (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Platform Heels That Elevate Height and Style
From red-carpet statements to street-style standouts, platform heels continue to reign as the ultimate height-boosting accessory. These live Your Next Shoes features showcase how celebrities and stylists use towering soles to elongate the frame without sacrificing comfort or confidence.
👠 Explore Platform Heel Style Moments on Your Next Shoes:
- 📏 Shop the Hottest Platform Heels Inspired by the Early 2000s — a deep dive into the nostalgic comeback of height-defining shoes.
- 👠 How Much Height Do High Heels Actually Add? — an expert explainer on the real inches gained from stilettos, wedges, and platforms alike.
- ✨ Step Up Comfortably: Mastering the Art of Wearing Platform Shoes — a practical guide to balancing comfort and glamour in elevated footwear.
- 💃 Sofia Vergara’s Platform Heel Moments That Deserve a Standing Ovation — timeless examples of how platforms add stature and drama to any look.
- 🎬 Chloë Grace Moretz Revives Vintage Gucci Glamour in Towering Red Platform Heels — a red-carpet highlight celebrating bold proportions and retro flair.
Reflecting on Early Spiritual Experiences
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Vanessa Hudgens recalled being aware of her spiritual sensitivity from a young age, describing it as something she didn’t fully understand until adulthood.
Over time, she’s learned to approach those experiences with curiosity rather than fear—channeling that openness into her personal growth and creative work.
Vanessa Hudgens shows off the back of her plaid Jonathan Simkhai shirt dress while strutting in black patent Sam Edelman platform heels featuring sky-high block heels that add a dramatic lift to her look (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Inside Vanessa Hudgens’ “Dead Hot: Season of the Witch”
Dead Hot: Season of the Witch is an unscripted documentary following Vanessa Hudgens and her best friend GG Magree on a journey to Salem, Massachusetts, where they explore the history and symbolism of witchcraft and female empowerment.
The project highlights their curiosity about spiritual practices and self-discovery, blending lifestyle storytelling with emotional authenticity. In an interview with Variety, Julie Pizzi, president of Bunim-Murray Productions, described it as “entertainment first, but also a deeply personal and empowering narrative.”
Vanessa Hudgens is taking on a new project called “Dead Hot,” an unscripted film that follows her and her best friend GG Magree on a spiritual journey in Salem, Massachusetts
Explore More Vanessa Hudgens Shoe & Fashion Moments
From red-carpet premieres to off-duty street style, Vanessa Hudgens continues to prove that her fashion sense is as dynamic as her career. Whether she’s experimenting with platform heels, embracing bohemian flair, or refining her modern-witch aesthetic, these Your Next Shoes features capture her most memorable style evolutions.
👠 Explore Vanessa Hudgens’ Shoe & Style Highlights:
- 📏 Vanessa Hudgens’ Height vs. Heels: How She Elevates Her 5ft 1 Frame With Statement Footwear — a breakdown of how Vanessa uses designer heels to enhance both height and presence.
- 👗 Vanessa Hudgens’ Shoe Collection: 5 Stunning Looks You’ll Want to Copy — a street-style showcase of her platform mules, slides, and sandals.
- ✨ Vanessa Hudgens Stuns at Paris Fashion Week in Miu Miu, Giambattista Valli, and Valentino Heels — a look at her runway-week ensembles featuring bold designer platforms.
- 🎬 Vanessa Hudgens Promotes Powerless in Stuart Weitzman Legend Pumps — a red-carpet moment where her footwear choice anchors a daring, modern silhouette.
- 💡 Vanessa Hudgens Stuns in Alice + Olivia Gown and Saint Laurent “Jane” Sandals at Her Broadway Gigi Debut — an elegant milestone that spotlights her timeless shoe taste.