Stars send messages of love to Vanessa Hudgens after news of dad’s death before ‘Grease: Live!’ show

Vanessa Hudgens’ celebrity friends and colleagues have sent messages of support to the actress after she revealed her father passed away just hours before she was due to star in “Grease: Live!”

On Sunday night in the US, the 27-year-old former High School Musical” star played the tough Betty Rizzo in the live broadcast of “Grease: Live!” on Fox channel. And by all accounts, she had delivered a rousing performance, giving the character a spunk that she embodied.

Hudgens appeared to be in top form during the show. No one would have suspected she was devastated inside. Hours before she was due to perform, she tweeted that her father passed away from stage four cancer. She would, however, still play her part, choosing to dedicate her performance to her beloved dad.

She revealed her dad’s illness in August last year while accepting an award at the 2015 Industry Dance Awards.

The horrible news has prompted her “High School Musical” co-stars and other celebrities to send her messages of support, at the same time commending her for her brave choice to honour her professional commitment.

Monique Coleman, who played Gabriella Montez’s (Hudgens) best friend Taylor McKessie in HSM, as well as Ashley Tisdale, who played Sharpay Evans in the Disney TV movie, tweeted their love to Hudgens. Their co-star Olesya Rulin, who was Kesi Nielsen in the show, also praised Hudgens.

Other celebrities also sent their condolences to the actress, including “Modern Family” stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sarah Hyland, as well as fellow ex-Disney princess Demi Lovato.

“Grease: Live!” also stars Julianne Hough as Sandy and Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuko. The cast includes Carlos Penavega, Carly Rae Jepsen, Keke Palmer, Mario Lopez, Ana Gasteyer, Kether Donohue, Jordan Fisher, Barry Pearl and Didi Comb. Jessie J and Boyz II Men and Joe Jonas also appeared.