Vanessa Hudgens Announces Father’s Death Right Before Live Performance of ‘Grease’
Right before taking the stage as Rizzo in Fox’s highly anticipated live performance of Grease, Vanessa Hudgens took to Twitter to announce that her father, Gregory Hudgens, had passed away. Gregory Hudgens had been battling stage 4 cancer since summer 2015.
I am so sad to say that last night my daddy, Greg passed away from stage 4 cancer. Thank you to everyone who kept him in your prayers.
— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) January 31, 2016
Tonight, I do the show in his honor.
— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) January 31, 2016
Condolences and support poured in across social media from fans and the cast.
Love2 @VanessaHudgens. I know what losing a parent 2 cancer is.The fact ur performing 2night is a testament 2 ur strength. Shine on lovely 1
— Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) January 31, 2016
omg I'm lit gonna cry I love her so much you've been working SO HARD ILY RHE SHOW MUST GO ON @VanessaHudgens https://t.co/DHjcOdum1b
— the ravens are NOT going to the superbowl (@ndiandiandiandi) January 31, 2016
Full cast & crew morning meeting at @GoGrease. Not a dry eye in the room….I'm not talking rain. #livinginthemoment #GreaseLive
— David Korins (@DavidKorins) January 31, 2016
Overall, there was still a celebratory air leading up to the performance. The Broadway community had been gearing up for it with tweets from the Hamilton cast members Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonathan Groff.
Tell me about it, stud. @GoGrease. #tbird #pinkgroffsauce pic.twitter.com/dTwXjxNkup
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 30, 2016
Hudgens has kept positive with a number of backstage peeks and upbeat pics on her Instagram.
[Ed. note: Her Grease performance of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” below.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKsXNyb44Jw