Vanessa Hudgens has revealed she lived in a homeless shelter for two weeks to prepare for a movie role.

The High School Musical star plays a homeless teen in Gimme Shelter and decided the move would help her get into character, reports Usmagazine.com.

Vanessa, 23, revealed on US programme The Rachael Ray Show: "I actually went and stayed in the shelter for two weeks before I started filming.

"I lived there with all the girls, with all the kids, so I think that's really interesting because you find so much more about yourself."

The actress - who is dating actor Austin Butler - shares the screen with Rosario Dawson and Brendan Fraser in the drama, which is due to be released this year.

She can next be seen in adventure flick Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.