Vanessa Hudgens father dies
Vanessa Hudgens, shown at the Fox winter Television Critics Association all-star party in Pasadena, California, Jan. 15, 2016, revealed her father died from stage 4 cancer and that she’s dedicating her performance in “Grease: Live” to him. Getty Images

Vanessa Hudgens sadly announced her father, Greg, died Saturday after battling stage 4 cancer. The 27-year-old actress broke the news on Twitter Sunday, telling fans she was still going to perform in Fox’s “Grease: Live” Sunday night and that she would dedicate the performance to her dad.

“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,” Hudgens wrote.

Hudgens revealed in August that her dad had been diagnosed with cancer while being honored at the 2015 Industry Dance Awards show in Los Angeles. According to Entertainment Tonight, the “High School Musical” star told the crowd that her boyfriend, actor Austin Butler, had lost his mother to cancer and also said her father had the disease.

“My dad has just been recently diagnosed with stage four cancer,” she said at the time. “Let me tell you, I hate cancer. I hate cancer with every cell of my being.”

Hudgens, who got a little emotional during her speech, said she was dedicating the award to her father and her boyfriend’s mom. “It takes a strong person and a strong family to be able to help those out who are going through this,” she said.

Shortly before revealing her dad was sick with cancer, Hudgens posted a photograph of father and herself on Instagram, telling fans she needed them to pray for him. Last week, she asked for prayers again, telling fans her father wasn’t “doing too well.” She tweeted: “Please say a prayer for him! It would mean a lot.”

Hudgens will play Rizzo in the musical “Grease: Live.” The three-hour production will air on Fox Sunday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. EST.

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