Fox’s long-awaited live performance of Grease airs tonight, but millions of Americans might be tuning in for an unexpected reason: to see how cast member Vanessa Hudgens pulls through just hours after the death of her father.
Hudgens announced Sunday afternoon that her father, Greg Hudgens, who had spent the last several months battling cancer, had passed away. Tonight, Hudgens takes the stage as Rizzo in the much-anticipated production.
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
Hudgens had announced in August that her father had been recently diagnosed with the final stage of the disease. She made the announcement while accepting an award from the Industry Dance Awards for her “triple-threat talent.” Dedicating the award to both her father and boyfriend Austin Butler’s late mother, Hudgens stated:
This award, it means a lot to me but I dedicate it to my boyfriend’s mom, Lori, my dad, and to all the families out there who are struggling with this, because it really takes a strong person and a strong family to be able to help those out who are going through this.
Tonight, Hudgens’ sizable fanbase will see her own strength in action. An hour after tweeting the announcement of her father’s death, Hudgens enthusiastically promoted the show:
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!!!!!! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS! Tune in 7/6c on FOX #GreaseLive @gogrease pic.twitter.com/Dw5L41nXr2
— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) January 31, 2016
In response, supporters flooded Twitter with condolences.
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
The Fox production of Grease is a newly adapted hybrid of the original stage musical and the famed film adaptation. It stars Hudgens in the iconic role of Rizzo, the leader of the Pink Ladies girl gang. Musical theater star Aaron Tveit and Julianne Hough co-star as Danny and Sandy, with a turn from Carly Rae Jepsen as Frankie.
The rest of the Grease cast was reportedly pretty emotional heading into tonight’s performance:
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
Still, overall the outlook was positive:
Let's go get 'em, Riz. #GreaseLive pic.twitter.com/DAyKKKfaV4
— Grease (@GoGrease) January 31, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBLj6lhTCvp/
Final dress rehearsal: ✅. Final walk though: ✅ Next up: Showtime. #grease #gogrease #greaselive pic.twitter.com/qOQXKylRbq
— David Korins (@DavidKorins) January 31, 2016
The Broadway community and fans of musical theater have spent the week gearing up for tonight’s performance. Tributes have come from Hamilton cast members and BFFs 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
And fellow Fox actors have also gotten in on the celebration, like Gotham‘s Catwoman, Camren Bicondova:
The Fox production of Grease airs tonight at 7pm ET/6pm CT.
Photo via Vanessa Hudgens/Instagram