Why Vanessa Hudgens Decided to Do ‘Grease Live!’ After Her Father’s Death

The star announced that her father Greg Hudgens passed away just hours before she performed in front of millions of viewers. On social media, her friends and fanswere effusive with their praise for the actress’ performance. She has been perfecting her craft since she was little, and that’s thanks to her parents, who supported and encouraged her all through everything.

At the end of the show, the ending credits paid tribute to Hudgens’ late father. Producer Marc Platt was “fiercely proud” of Hudgens for her professionalism and incredible performance despite the fact that he beloved father died the night before the show.

“WOW @VanessaHudgens singing “Worst Things” had me in tears”.

“Last year, my boyfriend, Austin [Butler], lost his mum, Lori, to cancer, and my dad has just been recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer”, she said during an acceptance speech at the Industry Dance Awards.

Sunday evening’s airing of the music special featured big names including, Julianne Hough (Sandy), Aaron Tveit (Danny), Vanessa Hudgens (Rizzo), and Keke Palmer (Marty). She knew that she had to do it. She knew that she had to put that in a box for a few hours and use it to fuel her performance. I’m sure her daddy is so proud. And they came to the show and watched in a trailer live on the Warners lot. I think it was for all of them a very cathartic experience given the brutality of the circumstances. For me, it’s so much about what the material is and if I think I can bring something to it that continues to develop this great format of live musicals on television.

“Tonight, I do the show in his honor”, she continued.

“It’s a line that I should be able to deliver because it’s so me”, Hough told Entertainment Weekly Radio during an interview, adding that she continuously flubbed Sandy’s meta comment.