about Chloe's album and anorexia, with Olivia
In her brief 21 years, Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi has endured more heartache than most people experience in a lifetime.
As a child she watched helplessly while her mother fought breast cancer, followed a year later by her parents’ divorce. Switching between a variety of schools, Chloe had occasional bouts of depression that eventually led to an eating disorder. Her slow recovery process received a major blow when her mother’s long-time boyfriend Patrick McDermott mysteriously disappeared off a boat 18 months ago, never to be seen again.
Putting all her woes behind her, today Chloe has emerged strong and poised, excited to finally debut her album Lonely Nights In Paradise. Six years in the making, its release was delayed as mother and daughter bravely dealt with one personal battle after another.
Having survived so many sorrows together, it’s no surprise that at an age when most children are ready to leave the nest - Chloe is enjoying being at home, especially because she can get up and go straight to work in her home studio. If there’s a silver lining to Chloe’s troubles then it’s that her difficulties have helped create a soulful, heartfelt album.
The family’s recent struggles have also forged an even closer bond between her mum and her father, Matt Lattanzi. In a show of support for his daughter and his ex-wife, Matt even popped by during Woman’s Day’s exclusive photo shoot and interview at Olivia’s luxurious Malibu home, his love for both women clearly evident.
Weary of speculation regarding her anorexia, Chloe has made the courageous decision to finally discuss her problems during a soul-bearing interview in which Olivia, 58, also reveals her personal hopes and fears for her daughter.
Chloe how is your album going?
CL: Great. I’ve been working on it six years. Since I was 15! It’s called Lonely Nights In Paradise
There’ve been rumours that your album’s release was delayed due to your private battle with an eating disorder?
CL: Yes, it slowed down the process but it also gave me a lot to draw from. It’s a very personal record. I have gone through an eating disorder. I don’t hide that. It’s nothing that I’m ashamed of. I think everything happens for a reason. The album was delayed for a number of reasons and I’m glad it was, mostly because things needed to be perfected.
How long did you suffer?
CL: Probably about two years.
Given your mother is so healthy and clear-headed, did it take her long to see the signs?
CL: I think that it’s hard for a parent to notice what their child is going through. Maybe sometimes parents don’t want to notice what’s going on. As a parent, you want to think everything’s OK.
Olivia, Did you notice her weight loss?
ONJ: Did I notice?! Yes. I was obviously very concerned and worried.
Chloe, How did your mum react when you told her about your anorexia?
CL: There wasn’t really a moment when I told her I had a problem. I was more in denial about it. I think she was the one that had to come to terms with it because everyone was in denial. When you go through things like that it’s a long process of accepting what’s going on.
What steps did you guys take to get help?
ONJ: Chloe went to day treatment for a time and worked with a specialist therapist who dealt with eating disorders, and she had a nutritionist.
Chloe, you’re still very slim today. Do you feel you’ve now triumphed over your eating disorder?
CL: I’m taking very good care of myself now but I’m not going to be like ‘Oh, I eat pizza every day!’ And I’m honest about that. It hurts my heart when I think how many girls are going through that [eating disorders], and I’m lucky that I got through it because it’s a fatal thing if you don’t pull through it.
What do you eat now?
CL: I’m vegetarian and don’t even eat fish. I eat dairy, fruit, nuts and granola and healthy stuff. I have high cholesterol, which is hereditary from my dad’s side. So far I haven’t had to take drugs to correct it… so far I’m using natural remedies.
Olivia, what advice would you give to mothers in your situation?
ONJ: That the parents need look at why their child has developed such a detrimental disease. And look at the issues causing the disorder. Listen to your child. Be supportive. Eating disorders are usually nothing to do with food. Parents need to be with their child to see them through it. All the therapists in the world can’t help if the parents aren’t present, loving and proactive.
Chloe, did the disappearance of Patrick also delay your record?
CL: That was a part of it, too. We were planning on releasing a test song, not the official single, at that time but I didn’t want to release anything at all while that was going on. Out of respect.
Were you and Patrick close?
CL: Yeah, we were close. It’s still really hard for me to talk about.
Have you always been close to your mum or have you had periods when you’ve argued?
CL: Oh God! Is the Pope Catholic?! I think that’s every mother and daughter. No, we were not always close, and we did fight, but we have always had a deep love for each other. It’s never been a dysfunctional relationship. We’ve always fought hard and loved hard - like every normal mother and daughter.
What do you most admire about your mother?
CL: She’s genuine and real and she doesn’t think that because she’s a celebrity it makes her special or that it makes her any better than anyone else. And she doesn’t pull any diva crap. She treats everyone with equal respect, as you should.
Olivia, which of Chloe’s personal qualities are you most proud of?
ONJ: I love her honesty. I love her purity. She’s a very loving girl. She’s very true in her strength of character. She’s gone through a lot and she’s got such strength. She’s got a great sense of humour. She’s very funny and very intelligent. And, then, obviously her talent.
"It's always just been the pair of us ... SO we've got each other"/h2>
Chloe, Have you considered leaving home now you're 21?
CL: I don't want to leave Mum yet. I love her. I don't have brothers and sisters so it's always just been the pair of us. So we've got each other.
ONJ: That's so sweet! I'm sure she'll want to move out one of these days but right now she is very independent and responsible living in her guest house on the property.
Olivia, do you think Chloe is ready for the responsibilities of the real world?
ONJ: Chloe's pretty good. She can take care of herself. She likes to make her own food and do her own shopping. She's great.
How did you feel when Chloe turned 21 last month?
ONJ: It was exciting. When I was 21 I was living in London. I was living with my boyfriend and I was making a movie (cosmic scifi musical Toomorrow) with producer Harry Saltzman, and he gave me a 21st party, and he gave me this key - like a key-ring that I wore around my neck and I passed it on to Chloe. I've been waiting all these years to give it to her.
Chloe, do you ever try to set your mum up on dates?
CL: I don't know anyone to set her up with. She keeps getting hit on but I wouldn't know where to begin. My mun has a lot of men after her. She's a gorgeous woman.
Back to your music, do you write your songs alone?
CL: Yes, I write the lyrics of all my songs and I co-write the music with my producer Jarrad Rogers. Early on I wrote on my own and also with this guy called Cisco Adler [Mischa Barton's recent ex boyfriend] in a band called Whitestarr. It was a really fun time in my life. I made a track with him. He's known me since I was 15 when we wrote music together. He's quite a bit older than me but I met him when I was hanging out with a much older crowd, and he had a big influence on me as a writer. We worked together for about a year and then we went off in different musical directions.
Was this a romance? Did you date Cisco?
CL: No, he was just a mate.
Is there anyone special in your life at the moment?
CL: No. I don't have time for boys at the moment. Hopefully I'll meet the right person, but right now I'm focused on other things.
Have you ever found love?
CL: No. I've dated but I haven't met the right person. Just the wrong ones! The closest to love that I've ever known was one high-school boyfriend and we're still very close today. I can still say I love him. It's very deep but it's not romantic any more. We're best mates now and we'll always stay in touch. He's a musician too. His name is Aaron. We dated for about six months and he took me to the prom, but then I went off to Australia so it was over from then. But we're still very close.
Are the reports you've had cosmetic surgery true?
CL: I didn't even know that was written about me. I haven't had any cosmetic surgery. I'm flattered if people think that and I'll take it as a compliment. Actually, I did read a story claiming I'd had botox. But when I looked at the photo with the story, I realised it was because I'd plucked my eyebrows so far back, my forehead looked bigger. It was a bad look! I shouldn't have done it. Also, my teeth looked whiter and a different shape after my braces had been removed. And I'd also grown up, and my hair was blonde and I did look completely different. But, no, I've never had cosmetic surgery.
"All I did was love Chloe and be with her as much as I could"
Which of your Hollywood peers do you most identify with?
CL: There's no-one I identify with because we all have very different life stories. I do empathise with Nicole Richie because she's had to go through the same anorexia accusations as me, and I know what it feels like to come to a point in your life where you're OK. I empathise with her.
Did you ever take medication for your depression and anxieties?
CL: Never. That's why my journey has taken me longer, because I never wanted to take pills. I wanted to get through my stuff and know what was going on. I'm creative because of my anxieties. I no longer suffer from depression. I dealt with that. For a while there I had no enthusiasm and didn't want to eat or get out of bed. Anxiety and depression are all tied in.
What triggered your depression?
CL: A bunch of different things. We all have bad things in our life. I haven't had a normal everyday life and had a lot to cope with at a young age.
Olivia, what's the secret to motherhood?
ONJ: Gosh. I don't think I have any secrets at all. We all mess up some way with our kids, and I'm sure I did.
Looking back, though, you clearly did something right?
ONJ: All I did was love Chloe and be with her as much as I could. I'm not sure if I taught her anything specifically. I think they learn from just being with you. Chloe's very much her own person, so I can't take credit for her. She is who she is. I taught her some good values, and to work hard and to have a good work ethic, which I think she has. She probably got her perfectionism from me - whether that's good or bad! - but I think it holds you in good stead if you're in this industry because you always want to care about what you do. She loves people and she has good manners.
Have you tried to protect her?
ONJ: I think as a mother you always do that; you try to protect your kids from certain things. But I realised that, like my mother realised with me, you have to experience everything yourself in order to grow. You can't protect them from life for ever. And she's 21 now. She's totally an adult in our society, the way it's looked at. But you always want to protect your children, don't you? As much as you can.
By Gill Pringle in LA. Pictures: Michelle Day.