Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams is confident Vanessa Hudgens' career will survive her nude photo scandal, insisting it is just one of life's "hard knocks".

The High School Musical star, 18, issued a public apology to fans after saucy mirror-image shots, intended only for the eyes of boyfriend and Hsm co-star Zac Efron, emerged online earlier this month.

But 44-year-old Williams - who was forced to give up her Miss America crown in 1984 after racy images of the star appeared in men's magazine Penthouse - believes the teen actress will bounce back from the situation.

She tells People.com, "She's got talent and she's professional, and those are the things that'll help her survive in life."

"You know, welcome to the lesson of hard knocks. She got her first big one right now."

"I met her and she's a very sweet talented girl and I've seen High School Musical 2 a zillion times because of my kids ... and she'll be fine."