“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,” the heartbroken star explained on Twitter.
Ever the professional, Vanessa still honoured her work commitment to star in Fox’s Grease: Live and dedicated her performance as Betty Rizzo to her later father.
“Tonight, I do the show in his honor,” the 27-year-old added ahead of the show.
In a touching display of professionalism and poise, Vanessa delivered a flawless performance on Sunday evening.
At the conclusion of the show, Greg was honoured in the credits.
Meanwhile it didn’t take long for the star’s fans and colleagues alike to send their condolences.
“I am devastated. Just thinking of my girl and praying for her strength today,” Ashley Tisdale penned.
“Thoughts & prayers go to @VanessaHudgens. So sorry for her loss & inspired that she will perform tonight’s @GoGrease in her fathers honor,” Kesse Tyler Ferguson added.
Last year the former Disney beauty opened up on her dad’s illness.
“Last year, my boyfriend, Austin [Butler], lost his mum, Lori, to cancer, and my dad has just been recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,” she said during an acceptance speech at the Industry Dance Awards.
Just hours after her tragic loss, Vanessa delivered a flawless performed as Rizzo in Grease.
“Let me tell you, I hate cancer. I hate cancer with every cell of my being,” she said before dedicating her Breakthrough Performer award to her loved ones and all cancer suffers.
“This award, it means a lot to me but I dedicate it to my boyfriend’s mum, Lori, my dad, and to all the families out there who are struggling with this, because it really takes a strong person and a strong family to be able to help those out who are going through this.”
Her father, who was a firefighter, leaves behind Vanessa’s younger sister Stella and wife Gina.
Vanessa with her beloved father Greg, who was a firefighter.
