Olivia and Chloe, How their bond has helped them
By Gill Pringle
Chloe Lattanzi, the only daughter of Grease star Olivia Newton-John and her ex-husband Matt Lattanzi, is the first to admit she lives a privileged lifestyle. The budding singer-songwriter lives with her mum in a Malibu mansion, where she has her own recording studio and pool house. But she is also aware that life has its pitfalls. Already, at 21, she has endured more tragedy than many people face in a lifetime. She lost her best friend to a rare childhood cancer, her mother had to overcome breast cancer, and her parents divorced when she was nine though she has maintained a close bond with both.
Chloe’s childhood years were marked by bouts of depression and anxiety as she struggled to fit in to the schools she was sent to in Australia and America. And in her teens she suffered from anorexia. Finally, at the age of 19 and on the road to recovery, came another blow when Olivia’s partner of nine years, lighting engineer and cameraman Patrick McDermott, went missing after a fishing trip in California. He has never been found.
Chloe has emerged from her experiences as a strong, intelligent, poised and down-to-earth young woman, and has drawn on them in her debut album, Lonely Nights in Paradise, which has been in the making for six years. Chloe hopes that by talking to Hello! about her eating disorder, she can help others in a similar situation. Olivia, 58, also talks about her close relationship with her daughter.
Chloe, do you mind that your struggle with anorexia has become public knowledge?
“Not at all. I have a song on my record, Delicious, which is all about the pain I went through. I want to help other girls and I think anorexia is an epidemic right now.”
Do you feel that you’ve triumphed over your eating disorder?
“I’m very slim, but that doesn’t mean I’m still suffering from anorexia. Because of what I’ve gone through, people are always going to have doubts. I accept that now, but I don’t really care any more. Everyone will try to pigeonhole you, whether you’re fat or skinny. “I’m taking very good care of myself, but I m not going to be like, Oh, I eat pizza every day! I’m honest about that. It hurts when I think of how many girls are going through eating disorders. I’m lucky that I got through it, because it can be fatal.”
Do you know what triggered the problem?
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when something like that starts. There are so many different factors. It was around that adolescent age when you’re searching for your identity. I think that’s when everything starts when kids experiment with drugs or whatever. I didn’t do that, but I did go through a hard time.
How did you win the battle
“I have a great team of people around me who love me very much. And I’m a strong girl, so I leaned on my own inner strength. I’m a fighter. I always have been. It’s actually something I’m glad I went through. I have a lot more compassion for, and empathy with, other people now.
Was your mum aware of your problems?
“She was the one who had to come to terms with it first because I was in denial. When you go through things like that, it’s a long process of accepting what’s going on.” Olivia, what was it like to see your daughter suffering?
I don’t really want to go into that I’ll let her talk about that, it’s her area to discuss. She’s come through it and I’m very proud of her.”
Chloe, did you have therapy?
“Yes, I’ve visited therapists. We’ve also been to one as a family. I’ve also had a lot of time to write to look within and do therapy on myself.”
Did you ever take medication for your anxiety and depression?
Never. I didn’t want to take pills. That’s why my journey has taken me longer. I haven’t had a normal life. I’ve had to cope with a lot at a young age. But I wanted to work through it, and know what was going on.”
Olivia, your daughter is remarkably mature and level-headed. You clearly did something right. What’s the secret to motherhood?
Gosh. I don’t think I have any secrets at all. All I did was love her and be with her as much as I could, Chloe’s very much her own person, so I can’t take credit for her. I taught her some good values, to work hard and to have a good work ethic. She probably got her perfectionism from me whether that’s good or bad but I think it holds you in good stead in this industry because you always want to care about what you do.”
Which of Chloe*s personal qualities are you most proud of?
“I love her honesty and purity, and she’s a very loving girl. She’s got such strength in her and I’m very proud of her. She’s also very funny and intelligent. She’s an amazing mimic, she can be with you for only ten minutes and do a perfect imitation!
Did you have any reservations about Chloe following you into showbusiness?
“She’s grown up in the business so she’s known all along what she was getting into. When she was very little and told me that she wanted to sing, I said, We’ll let’s wait a couple of years, and if you’re really serious about it, we’ll get an agent.’ So she started developing her music and I could see her talent. When I heard her voice, I was blown away by it. She’s got the voice of a mature woman, she doesn’t sound like a young girl. Five years ago, there were people who promised to make Chloe a pop star, but she didn’t want that. She wants to be known for her music and her songs, and not just for being a star.”
Chloe, how have your parents helped you prepare for being in the spotlight?
I have great parents who are really grounded and real. My mom is such a good example of a person who is so grateful for all the opportunities she’s had. Likewise, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been offered, and that I get to make music that I love. I get so frustrated when I see all these girls who are so up themselves -I don’t understand that, because it’s a better feeling to be gracious.”
How did your parents influence your love of music?
Mom sang to me every single day to make sure my pitch was correct. I didn’t get a bedtime story I got a bedtime song! And my dad played me interesting music such as Pink Floyd and The Moody Blues.”
Do you write your songs alone?
“I’m a solo artist. But there was a time when I wrote with Cisco Adler [Mischa Barton’s on/off boyfriend). I’ve known him since I was 15 and he’s had a big influence on me as a writer. We worked together for about a year, and then we both went off in different musical directions.”
Did the disappearance of Patrick, your mum’s boyfriend, affect your music”?
“At the time we were planning on releasing a test song, not the official single, but out of respect I didn’t want to release anything at all while that was going on.”
Were you and Patrick close?
“Yeah, we were close. It’s still really hard for me to talk about it.”
Have you always been this close to your mum, or have you had periods when you’ve argued?
“Is the Pope Catholic? Of course we’ve had fights, but we’ve also always had a deep love for each other. We don’t fight now, we talk everything out, yelling doesn’t get to understand where the other person is coming from.”
What do you most admire about your mother?
“She’s remained genuine and real and she doesn’t think that being a celebrity makes her special or any better than anyone else. She treats everyone with equal respect and she’s a down-to-earth, beautiful person. She’s never betrayed anyone in her whole life.”
How long have you lived in this house.”
“Less than two years. We’re always moving - we’ve lived just across the road before. Mom likes to re-decorate and restart. I’m a mover too. I like change. I can’ t stay in one place for too long. I think the way you grow is by getting out of your comfort zone especially in Malibu where people live in a bubble. If I didn’t have the opportunity to travel the way I’ve done, my reality should be very different. It’s not normal to live in a huge house like this: it’s not normal to spend $300 on a pair of jeans. When you’re growing up in a town like this you can take it for granted. I wouldn’t want to raise my child here not in a million years.
Have you considered leaving home?
“I don’t want to leave just yet. I don’t have brothers and sisters, so it’s always been the pair of us. I’ll move out eventually, but I think mom is happy with me being here. I’m like, I’m not going to leave you alone!