Olivia wants a party or she won't play
HOLLYWOOD-Universal Studios, which has already invested over $20 million in its chancy “Xanadu,” will have to spend a bundle more on the fantasy musical if it expects Olivia Newton-John to help hype it.
The singer has informed Universal brass she will do no publicity for the film unless it is unveiled in New York next month with a lavish premiere and party. An attitude which, as you might imagine, has Universal executives seething.
Those executives have not forgotten the studio already spent thousands of dollars for a “Xanadu” announcement party at the Beverly Hills’ Bistro last year, and $150,000 on an opulent sound stage bash when the movie wrapped. And as far as they’re concerned, enough’s enough.
One would assume the box office crisis with which Hollywood is currently coping would be enough to motivate performers do their all to help sell their products. But Olivia apparently doesn’t see it that way. And won’t - unless she has a party.
By Marilyn Beck