TGIF Feature: Vanessa Hudgens returns in another TV live musical - 'Ren: Live't

SCREEN CAPTURE: YOUTUBE

Vanessa Hudgens' next production in in 'Rent: Live'

AFTER THE RAVE reviews that she richly deserved for her performance in Grease Live, Vanessa Hudgens will return to television to star in Rent: Live

The 29-year old Filipina American will play the role of Maureen Johnson in Rent:Live, a bisexual performance artist. The character is a major part that involves a lot singing and fans will likely be most excited to see Hudgens belt out Maureen's biggest song, "Take Me or Leave Me."

Interestingly, this is not the first time Hudgens starred in Rent. Back in 2010, she starred in the Hollywood Bowl's staging of the musical playing Mimi Márquez, the erotic dancer who is addicted to drugs and is HIV-positive. In the live TV produciton, the pop singer Tinashe will play Mimi.

The rest of the Rent: Live cast includes Hamilton breakout Jordan Fisher as Mark Cohen, The X Factor contestant Brennin Hunt as Roger Davis, recent Jesus Christ Superstar show-stealer Brandon Victor Dixon as Tom Collins, RuPaul's Drag Race star Valentina as Angel Dumott Schunard, former Disney Channel star Kiersey Clemons as Joanne Jefferson, and R&B singer Mario as Benjamin Coffin III.

Hudgens' breakout role was starring in the Disney Channel hit musical movie franchise  High School Musical, which, of course, involved a lot of singing and dancing.

She shone in 2016's Grease Live as tough girl Rizzo. She dedicated her performance in the live telecast to her father, who died a day before the broadcast. 

The Salinas-born California actress starred in NBC's short-lived Powerless, in which she made sure that her character was identified as a Filipina American. Alas, the sit-com was not picked up for a second season.

Most recently, Hudgens was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. In her first season on the show, she helped select the first Filipina American winner in 2018, Hannahlei Cabanilla.

For the Fox production, Hudgens will tackle the charming yet narcissistic lesbian performance artist Maureen. “Vocally, emotionally, it's a tough part,” says Hudgens,

When Rent first appeared on Broadway, it was a revelation: a contemporary musical tackling today's issues with a cast of actors of color.

It's message that is just as relevant today: The way to overcome a time of adversity is to unify, to address it together. That's a lesson that we need to learn today. 

'Rent: Live' airs on the Fox network, Sunday, Jan. 27. Check local listings for time.

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