By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
Vanessa Hudgens gave a brave performance as Rizzo Sunday night in the live performance of Grease on Fox.
The young Filipino American performer went before a national television audience just hours after announcing on Twitter the passing of her father who died of stage 4 cancer.
Being able to keep your composure during a three hour program under such trying circumstances was truly amazing.
Her solo performance of There are Worse Things I Could Do took on extra meaning under the backdrop of her personal tragedy.
The line To cry in front of you. That’s the worst thing I could do tugged at my heart as I watched her emotional rendition.
The camera faded to black and to a commercial break as she ran off camera. One had to wonder whether her jog off stage was scripted, or done out of necessity to hide the tears that were welling up in her eyes.
Fans expressed their admiration.
@VanessaHudgens You absolutely killed it, your dad would be so so proud. ❤️ Stay strong girl ?? #GreaseLive https://t.co/JYclEM9iGy
— Jesslyn Leow (@Jesslynlcw) February 1, 2016
My heart goes out to @VanessaHudgens you are in my prayers. What an amazing tribute you gave your father last night on #GreaseLive
— Adam Anders (@AdamAnders) February 1, 2016
Seeing @VanessaHudgens performing #GreaseLive the day her father passed away gave me chills…that would have taken incredible courage!
— Julian De Vizio (@JulianDeVizio) February 1, 2016
This morning Vanessa tweeted an uplifting photo looking towards heaven.
Your Weekly Horoscope: Stability & Surprises https://t.co/D7Z41Ay6gB pic.twitter.com/DO2CXjhZYt
— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) February 1, 2016
The show ended with an on screen dedication to her father.
You can read about Vanessa Hudgens close relationship with her father in the Washington Post
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