Grease: Live Pays Tribute to Vanessa Hudgens' Dad as Actress Delivers Show-Stopping Performance

Musical performer announced the news of her parent’s passing just hours before showtime

By Mike Vulpo Feb 01, 2016 4:30 AMTags
Vanessa Hudgens, Grease: Live, FOX

Tonight's production of Grease: Live was dedicated to a very special man.

While viewers couldn't stop singing and dancing along to all the hits during Fox's rendition of the unforgettable musical, they also couldn't help but praise the tribute to Vanessa Hudgens' father who died just one day before the show aired.

After the actors and actresses took a bow in front of the iconic Ferris wheel, the credits began to roll with a special message for Gregory Hudgens.

"In loving memory of Greg Hudgens. June 22, 1950 – January 30, 2016," the tribute read as behind-the-scenes clips aired.

On Sunday morning, Vanessa delivered the upsetting news to her fans that her dad had passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Fox

"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," she wrote on Twitter. "Tonight, I do the show in his honor."

And that she did.

Whether performing "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" or "There Are Worst Things I Could Do," the High School Musical alumna exceeded expectations as the sassy and feisty Rizzo.

"There's My Girl @VanessaHudgens!!! #GreaseLive," BFF Ashley Tisdale wrote on Twitter after the show.

Vanessa's boyfriend Austin Butler added, "You don't want to miss #GreaseLive! So proud of @VanessaHudgens and everyone involved. It's incredible!"