One strong woman. Vanessa Hudgens‘ performance as Rizzo in Grease: Live on Sunday, January 31, was amazing — but doing it just one day after her father, Greg, had passed away took it to a whole other level, and Twitter exploded with messages of support from celebs and fans as the Fox show drew to a close.
The 27-year-old actress took to Twitter just before her performance to share the heartbreaking news that her father had lost his battle with cancer less than 24 hours previously.
“I am so sad to say that last night my daddy, Greg passed away from stage 4 cancer,” she tweeted. “Thank you to everyone who kept him in your prayers. Tonight, I do the show in his honor,” she wrote.
And as the much-anticipated remake of the hit ’70s film was broadcast live, fans (many of them celebrity pals) were overwhelmed by the Spring Breakers actress’ amazing strength as she delivered the performance of a lifetime.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less @VanessaHudgens is killing it! So proud of my girl #GreaseLive,” her pal Ashley Tisdale wrote via Twitter.
“Imagine if you had a day like @VanessaHudgens & performed like that. Wow.What a strong woman.My new hero#GreaseLive,” added her costar Mario Lopez. Check out some of the other celeb tweets to Hudgens, including one from boyfriend Austin Butler, below.
Imagine you had Vanessa Hudgens’ day, and doing that.
What a superhero.
In total awe.— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) February 1, 2016
Just heard about @VanessaHudgens terrible loss-god bless her for showing such strength tonight.v-you gave an incredible performance:)
— maria menounos (@mariamenounos) February 1, 2016
WOW @VanessaHudgens singing ‘Worst Things’ had me in tears. Just brilliant #GreaseLive
— Austin Butler (@austinbutler) February 1, 2016
Vanessa Hudgens father died 24 hours ago. Tonight she is giving the performance of a lifetime. God bless her!!! #GreaseLive
— Michael Buckley (@buckhollywood) February 1, 2016
MAJOR props to @VanessaHudgens for performing on the same day after her dad passed away. What strength. Prayers for her? #GreaseLive
— Janelle Arthur (@JanelleOArthur) February 1, 2016
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