But times have changed and the High School Musical star was won over by Leo's talent.
The 22-year-old told British Metro newspaper: "I used to hate Leonardo because even before Titanic he was on the cover of every teen magazine around and I couldn't help but be innately jealous of him.
"I thought: 'Why are these girls fawning over a kid they’re never going to see in real life? Why is he so special?' Now I'm getting all the attention."
The Charlie St Cloud star added: "Then I saw Titanic and his next few films, and he turned into my favourite actor.
"His talent, his choices and the way he handles himself made me a fan, he won me over, also Johnny Depp, because they're chameleons and they are always different."