Vanessa Hudgens is a true-blooded entertainer performing Betty Rizzo’s role in Fox’s Grease Live hours after her father, Greg passed away after suffering from stage four cancer. “Thank you to everyone who watched and supported me last night”, she wrote.
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“I am devastated. Just thinking of my girl and praying for her strength today”, tweeted her “HSM” costar Ashley Tisdale.
After finding out the news of her father, the actress was under no obligation to perform in Grease: Live, in fact, there was a substitute prepped to fill-in.
NEW YORK (AP) – Fox’s live production of “Grease” fought rain, wind and personal tragedy to emerge a victor, with its audience of 12.2 million people eclipsing viewership for the last two musicals presented on NBC. Vanessa’s rendition of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” was poignant, powerful, and emotional. Along with John Travolta’s Danny and Olivia Newton John’s Sandy, Stockard Channing’s Rizzo is the version of the character most widely known thanks to the 1978 film version of Grease.
The High School Musical star appeared somber as she visited Forest Lawn Mortuary in Burbank with her younger sister Stella. Her performance speaks for itself.
Grease: Live! star Keke Palmer dished to ET about the havoc – and heartbreak – that took place behind the scenes of Sunday’s epic television event.
Fox then honored the memory of Hudgens’ father by rolling a memorial at the end of the credits.
The telecast, starring Aaron Tveit, Julianne Hough, Vanessa Hudgens and more, scored a 4.3 rating among the coveted 18-49 demographic, securing Fox as the top network of the night.
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Holy moly, they really brought it home with “You’re The One That I Want” and “We Go Together” playing back to back with some seriously impressive choreography!
