Just one day before Vanessa Hudgens was set to take the stage as Betty Rizzo in Grease: Live her father passed away. Her father, Greg Hudgens, had been suffering from stage four cancer. So, people watching the live musical yesterday were willing to go easy on Hudgens if she missed a step or misplaced a line.
It was undoubtedly an overwhelming night for the actress who during the evening proved again and again what a superstar she is. Not once did she break character, and she subsequently delivered one of the strongest and most nuanced performances, even outshining leading lady Julianne Hough. Much like Stockard Channing in the 1978 film.
When the moment came for her to sing Grease’s most poignant song “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” the audience could feel that they were in for an emotional ride – reading layers into every line she sang. It was an impressive and powerful moment, where Hudgens put on a brave face while singing “but to cry in front of you, that’s the worst thing I could do”.
“Imagine you had Vanessa Hudgens’ day, and doing that,” Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted after Hudgens completely blew everyone away. “What a superhero. In total awe”. Hudgens deserves nothing but praise and admiration for her endless talent and devotion, and I’m sure her father would have been proud. Watch the emotional performance below:
#Peace.Love.VanessaHudgens
