So who watched Grease: Live this past Sunday (January 31)?? I did! I, however, did miss the first 15 minutes but was all caught up once I started watching.
For this post, I am not going to write about the whole performance overall (which I thought was great) but I'm going to focus on one actress's performance: Vanessa Hudgens. I may come back and write about the whole production.
Now, if you don't know who Vanessa Hudgens is: she played the role of Rizzo in the Grease: Live production and prior to this role, she was well-known as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical franchise. She was also in Spring Breakers, Gimme Shelter, Beastly, and more (not listed: Gigi on the Broadway show 'Gigi').
Now, back in 2015 when Grease: Live was announced, there were many discussions on who can play each characters of the beloved movie (it was a play first) so when it was announced that Vanessa would take on the Rizzo role, there were many critiques as many didn't believe she had "it" for the role. Honestly, I knew she would. But then again I support the High School Musical is everything they do so I believed in her.
I was happy that she had a role in this. She's always loved musicals and High School Musical was always called the modern day "Grease" but to me, HSM had a better story (don't hurt me, Grease lovers!) - but honestly why would you change yourself to make the person like you? Don't you want to person to love you for who you are?
ANYWAYS, I still like Grease and everything. Back to Vanessa. I knew she would prove her critics wrong because that's just who she is. Critics make people want to push harder to prove them wrong which she did.
Before I talk about her performance. I have to mention that she was incredible for the timing of everything and rough weekend she had.
Saturday (January 30) night, her Dad Greg Hudgens passed away of Stage 4 cancer. She made the announcement on her Twitter account the following day and also announced that she was still going along with the performance and will do it in her Dad's honor.
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.— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) January 31, 2016
Tonight, I do the show in his honor.— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) January 31, 2016
This made everyone keep their eyes on Vanessa and amazed at how she was able to go on with the show after dealing with the tough loss of her Dad. But it was said that she talked to her family, the producer talked to her and the family, and they all agreed that she would do it for her Dad.
Many have said she stole the show. She showed emotion in her character. More emotion that some thought couldn't possibly be possible. There were those who thought maybe the loss would take her away from the performance but once again she proved them wrong.
Rizzo, the character she played, is the "mean girl" of Grease (the Sharpay in High School Musical for those HSM lovers). Vanessa isn't known to be the "mean girl" so there were thoughts that she couldn't put it off because she has that "good girl" face/image and tone of voice.
But, the moment she came on our televisions - she went right in the "mean girl" act and took the role to heart. She was a believable Rizzo. She had the emotions for the character.
"Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee" was great but I think what made everyone amazed at just how good Vanessa is (acting and singing) was when she sang "There Are Worse Things I Could Do." We saw the raw emotion from her previous night of loss.
Credit: FOX, Grease: Live, Vanessa Hudgens,
and anyone who is connected to production.
Also to YouTube user: Dustin Ginsberg
Many have said that she has definitely matured with her singing since her High School Musical days. I thought she had a great voice then but wow, she definitely nailed this role and song.
Celebrities, critics, friends, and fans all agreed that she was amazing in the role, the song, and being able to go on with the show after the loss of her Dad. She was just a strong superstar.
There were many tweets and articles in support of her and her family.
To me, after watching Grease: Live and taking the Vanessa Hudgens fan inside of me out for a moment, I believe that this role and the way people have reacted, she should receive an Emmy nomination as well be getting more movie/theater roles. This may have been the Big Break that she's needed.
Look out world, Vanessa Hudgens is coming.
She stole the show and many are in agreement with that statement. It's also not only because of her Dad's death but it's also because of how she handled it like a pro (after she had the conversations with her family and producer).
Another great thing that Grease: Live did for Vanessa was when the executive producer, Marc Platt asked the family if they could add a special something at the end of the production:
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| Dedication at end of production for Vanessa Hudgens' Dad, Greg Hudgens who passed away the night before. Credit: FOX, Grease: Live, Marc Platt, and more. |
I hope you had a chance to watch the Grease: Live production and if you did, feel free to leave a comment below on what you thought about the overall production and Vanessa Hudgens.
To Vanessa and family -
My (and the readers) deepest sympathies
go out to you and your family.
He will be missed and I'm sure he's
looking over each one of you.
Rest in Peace Greg Hudgens
Until Next Time
CGoerlich <3
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