Vanessa Hudgens Dedicates Grease

However, being the absolute professional that she is, she confirmed that she will still be going ahead with the live production of “Grease”, which is set to broadcast on FOX this evening.

What a triumph. After three years of watching NBC do summer stock on national television, Fox swooped in and stole the live musical format right out from underneath them. Live TV musicals are a unusual new addition to modern pop culture.

Hudgens was cast as Rizzo in “Grease: Live”, which airs 7 p.m. ET Sunday on Fox.

Despite the tragic events earlier in the day, Hudgens delivered a stellar performance as Rizzo, managing to perfectly capture the feisty character. “So sorry for her loss & inspired that she will perform tonight’s @GoGrease in her fathers honor”, Kesse Tyler Ferguson added.

It’s no secret Julianne Hough can dance.

One of the most iconic numbers from the movie did not disappoint.

Aww, how sweet! It couldn’t have been easy for Vanessa to bounce back from such a sad time so quickly, but it sounds like Austin played a key part in keeping her spirits up. They did change a few of the more R-rated lyrics from the original (“pussy wagon” becomes “dragon wagon”, because… sure), but it definitely earns its spot as a moment to rewatch.

Jessie J and Boyz II Men also sang during the production, while two actors from the 1978 film, Didi Conn and Barry Pearl, appeared in small roles. All of that credit goes to director Mark Plait. Does Grease share a cinematic universe with High School Musical? But the actress was the most impressive especially when she tackled the emotional number “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” the whole audience reading layers into the lyric starting with “but to cry in front of you…”

Grease is the word, and the word is – OK.

Fourth wall breaks bookended the TV musical, which was a bold choice. It must have paid off, because she nailed it. Fans weighed in online, feeling rather – ahem – hopelessly devoted to Hough.

Between her childhood self dancing around the living room and the Grease: Live cast’s endless rehearsals, Hough likely got plenty of practice in.