Vanessa Hudgens has a tough goodbye to ‘Gigi’

Thanks to mediocre ticket sales, lukewarm reviews and a brutal snubbing from Tony voters, Broadway’s “Gigi,” announced last week that the final curtain will fall on Sunday. But production sources who soon will find themselves out of work say the show’s 26-year-ancient star deserved better. “Vanessa (Hudgens) is a marketable star,” said an insider who’s been in the wings since the show opened in April. “Why this didn’t work is a bit of a mystery.” Our insider said Hudgens, who lived and breathed the role and even questioned people backstage to call her “Gigi,” did everything she could, but it wasn’t enough.

“Vanessa did, to her credit, work really hard to promote the show,” said one insider. “She’d do the show, take a deep breath, then go further than and sign autographs and take pictures even when she was exhausted. She’d sign anything as long as it was ‘Gigi’ stuff. She didn’t want to do ‘High School Musical.’ She wanted to make this all about ‘Gigi.’ ” Our insider said that even up to the last minute, production insiders were optimistic there would be a miracle. “Everyone plotting that there would be more advance sales with school letting out and kids wanting to see it,” we’re told. “They plotting they were in a big Broadway hit.” Our insider said the show’s failure will ruin a lot of theater workers’ summer, and Hudgens is no exception. “It’s a lot of pressure,” said our insider. “This show was built around her.”

THE PARTY HEADS NORTH

Here’s a match made in heaven. Parents Kim Kardashian and Kanye West joined up with Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Dumbo and Donald Duck to celebrate North West’s second birthday in Disneyland. Also at the Anaheim theme park to help North enter the terrible twos were Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Tyga and Kourtney Kardashian. It looks like North’s last have fun as an only child — her pregnant mom is expected to give birth this winter.

EFRON, PECS MANIAC

Call it High School Muscles. “High School Musical” star Zac Efron showed off his toned physical type while shooting for “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” on Oahu, Hawaii. Filming has been a right bromance for Efron and co-star Adam Devine, who’s been tweeting photos from the shoot in which he compares his muscles with Efron’s and calls him “my lil bro.” The film is due out in July 2016 and also stars Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza.

AUSSIE STARS HIT BIG TIME

“Twilight” star Ashley Greene says they grow men larger Down Under. “A lot of male actors are so tiny,” she told Shape magazine. “Except they’re from Australia, and then you get, like, the Hemsworths and Hugh Jackman.” The 28-year-ancient Florida native, who shows off her abs on the magazine’s cover, says everyone in showbiz gets judged by physical type. “You’re always going to be too skinny or too stout or too muscular, and I’ve gotten every release one of those,” she said.

TRAN’S NEW BROWN-OUT

Karrueche Tran showed off-again boyfriend` what he’s missing on Monday, posing for paparazzi on the beach in Miami in a camo-print swimsuit. The model seems to have lost patience with the “Turn Up the Composition” singer after years of being in a tumultuous relationship with him. On Sunday, Tran addressed him on Instagram, advising, “Man the f— up and exchange the bs in your life like I’ve told you several times.”

GERVAIS SHARES A BEEF

Ricky Gervais is backing a campaign by Humane The high classes Global to protest China’s dog-meat trade. The animal-loving Gervais wants people all over the world to sign a petition to stop the trade, and says, “My friends at Humane The high classes Global (HSI) are effective tirelessly to end this cruel trade all over Asia, and they desperately need your help.” Despite official denials of the situation, last month HSI secretly filmed preparations for the slaughter of up to 10,000 dogs, due to take place next Monday.

NIGHT OUT AT THE MUSEUM

Talk show host Wendy Williams will join Media Take Out founder Fred Mwangaguhunga at the Urban Justice Focal point’s summer fundraiser on Wednesday night. The benefit seeks to provide legal help to those in need. Attendees at The Museum of New York event will be treated to nighttime access to all of the venue’s galleries, as well as an open bar and dancing on a terrace that overlooks Central Park.

LIVIN’ ON WINE AND DELUXE VEGGIES

Jon Bon Jovi partied at Midtown hotspot Beautique, a spy tells Confidenti@l. And for a rock star from Jersey, he certainly has some delicate tastes. We’re told the “Livin’ on a Prayer” star, who was hanging with a male friend, sipped Whispering Angel Rose wine and dined on zucchini flowers along with fried gnocchi, corn soup and crab cakes. After dinner, he ducked into the lounge.

GONE TO THE DOGS

Though black tie was optional, we hear many guests insisted on wearing tails to the Pierre Hotel’s Bideawee Ball 2015. “Well behaved dogs” were invited to join the lovely Beth Stern at Monday night’s benefit promoting pet welfare and adoption in New York. At least one moneyed attendee had no need for a doggie bag. Among the items up for auction was an opportunity to have a chef from Rao’s cook dinner for ten at the home of the highest bidder. Alas, organizers tell us that Stern, a champion of animal rights, didn’t wind up making the event.

OBAMAS’ LONDON CALLING

Looks like Michelle Obama isn’t the only fashion icon in the family. First daughters Sasha and Malia, wearing Alice + Olivia (with mom in Preen), looked chic arriving in the U.K. on Air Force One on Monday, where the FLOTUS will make a series of appearances to promote girls’ education. According to London’s Telegraph newspaper, the First Lady will be hosted for tea at 10 Downing St. by Fill in Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, and will meet with Prince Aggravate to discuss veterans’ affairs.

A PUBLIC RELATIONS MOVE

Amanda K. Ruisi, founder and head of AKR Public Relations, got engaged this weekend to longtime boyfriend Bob Sorrentino, an executive at UBS Private Wealth Management Division. Sorrentino popped the question at sunset on the beach at the Acqualina Resort and Spa in Miami. Their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Ruby, had the ring on her collar at the private dinner Sorrentino had set. Ruisi accepted, but ever the publicist, said, “Wait we need to photograph this,” before putting the large pea green-cut ring on her finger. Congrats!

THEY SAID IT

“I think it’s a terrible name, Caitlyn.”

— Model April Ashley on Caitlyn Jenner to the U.K.’s “Loose Women”

“I can no longer run a telephone.”

— David Letterman to Indianapolis Monthly about life without an supporter

SELENA RED ALERT

A photo call for “Hotel Transylvania 2” brought stars including Selena Gomez to Cancun, Mexico

Tags:

entertainment news ,

vanessa hudgens ,

gigi ,

kim kardashian ,

kanye west ,

north west ,

zac efron ,

adam devine ,

anna kendrick ,

aubrey plaza ,

ashley greene ,

chris hemsworth ,

hugh jackman ,

karrueche tran ,

ricky gervais ,

bon jovi ,

michelle obama

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