Olivia found her great happiness
She quietly disappeared from London and resurfaced in Hollywood as a superstar. Olivia Newton-John made a big splash in America with hits like “I Honestly Love You.” Bravo correspondent Frances Schoenberger visited Olivia.
She has an English passport, grew up in Australia, has a German mother, her grandfather is the German physicist and Nobel laureate Max Born, and in America she is now a superstar: Olivia Newton-John.
Her great career began when she packed her bags in London a year ago and moved to Los Angeles. The grind: “In England, I was always second,” says the ambitious Olivia, as pictured. “Twice. I took part in the Eurovision Song Contest and ended up just behind the winners.”
Records were always moderate successes, but unfortunately never number one. Even though Olivia Newton-John lives 40 kilometers from Hollywood in a villa by the sea, that has changed: “I honestly love you,” “Have you never been mellow” and “Please Mister Please” were three super hits all over the world.
Since then, the 27-year-old, blonde, green-eyed and 50 kilo heavy Olivia has been America’s new darling. Every half a year she has won 15 music awards and received seven gold records. I am not so popular in Europe, but perhaps my success in America will help that.
Olivia Newton-John hopes that will change. Suddenly being at the top hasn’t turned the head of the enthusiastic driver of a yellow VW convertible. Far away from the hustle and bustle, Olivia lives a secluded life in her villa. She rides, plays tennis, or romps around with her two dogs, Zargon and Jackson.
But Olivia keeps her private life to a minimum. On average, she’s on stage 20 days a month, from Las Vegas to New York. Always with her: Lee Kramer, Olivia’s boyfriend and manager. The Englishman, who runs a successful shoe import-export company in London.
He gave up his job for Olivia’s sake so he could go to America with her. Honestly, Lee says, “I was a little mouse”, “Olivia, she exerted a gentle compulsion on me, and I followed her like a little mouse”. “Big mouse”, Olivia returns in love.
No doubt, the charming singer knows exactly what she wants: What she doesn’t want is to get married. “We have no reason to get married, and my career keeps me in the shadows too much,” says Olivia. “Only children would be a reason, but that can wait until later. Now I’m concentrating on my career”.
By Frances Schoentherger
Photos: Olivia’s boyfriend and manager is the Englishman Lee Kramer. They met in the South of France.
In Hollywood with BRAVO’s Frances (!) and Olivia
Blonde, beautiful and popular: Olivia Newton-John has the affectionate nickname “Darling” in the USA.