Olivia has success again

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Olivia has success again

Translation from Dutch:

Olivia Newton-John’s career is a string of incredible successes. She can pave the floors of her Beverly Hills mansion with gold and platinum records. Her role in the film “Grease” made her a star in even the smallest town in the world with a cinema. She will soon reap new successes with the film “Xanadu.”

When Robert Stigwood was looking for a suitable co-star for John Travolta for the film adaptation of the musical “Grease,” he chose that innocent-looking blonde English singer who, to everyone’s surprise, had effortlessly conquered America with a number of country-themed songs.

The choice was not entirely coincidental. Stigwood worked closely with composer John Farrar, Olivia’s producer. Farrar wrote the worldwide hits “You’re The One That I Want” and “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” among others, for “Grease.”

Gossip

At the time of the recordings, Travolta was still a rising star.

Olivia says about that period: “The recordings for ‘Grease’ took place before ‘Saturday Night Fever’ was released. John was known only for a small role in the film “Carrie” and his television series. He was extremely happy with his role in both films. Except for Robert Stigwood, no one at that time had the slightest inkling of what was about to happen.”

“John was friendly and courteous. We quickly got along well. We accepted the gossip about an affair as a given. It never went further than friendship.”

Atmosphere

Skeptics in America have been calling you a singing milkshake (flavor: strawberry) for years, but the role of Sandy in “Grease” didn’t changed much.

Olivia: “You have to learn to live with criticism. I’m no Janis Joplin. That role of Sandy was simply too good to pass up. Besides, I thought it was a very good film in its genre. My career has received new impetus. Acting was new to me. Still is, actually.”

“That camera eye sometimes gets on my nerves. You miss the audience’s reaction. The advantage of the films I’ve appeared in is that many scenes are grandly staged. With a group of enthusiastic people, you can create a great atmosphere.”

Amsterdam

The success of “Grease” had a considerable impact. A few months after the premiere in the Netherlands, she performed in front of a sold-out Jaap Edenhal. Six months earlier, she probably wouldn’t have even filled the coffee room.

Olivia: “That performance in Amsterdam will stay with me for a long time. The audience sang along to ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ word for word. I hadn’t even experienced that in America. That meant something to me.”

“‘Grease’ made me quite popular in many countries where I couldn’t get a foothold. Probably in the Netherlands too.”

She clearly found the press conference afterward less successful.

Olivia: “Well, apart from a few overly intimate questions, it wasn’t too bad. I understood that people wanted to know all kinds of things about Travolta and me. And about my affair with Bruce Welch (Shadows).”

Private

Is a less happy private life the price you pay for fame and fortune?

Olivia: “There were a few happy years between the breakup with Bruce Welch and the breakup with my last boyfriend, Lee Kramer. The situations aren’t comparable, by the way.”

“When I left Bruce, I was still a complete nobody; the breakup with Lee was more the result of too much success. After the world tour, I packed my bags and went to live in New York for a while. A kind of cooling-off period. Now we’re talking again. He’s still handling some things for me.”

Is it true that she ever complained about the fact that “regular” guys don’t appeal to her?

Olivia: “Yes, as soon as you’ve made a name for yourself, there’s a huge distance between star and audience. I think that’s a shame. It makes the world you live in so small. Outside of the business, there are so many nice people I’d like to meet.”

Andy

Lately, the newspapers have been full of are full of stories about Andy Gibb, who was supposedly head over heels in love with her. Olivia: "Well, if there's no news, they make news. I can't imagine Andy said something like that. He probably said we're good friends. And the press made a great story out of that. Now that I'm getting a bit of attention again with 'Xanadu', my whole baptismal certificate is being re-examined. I'm learning to live with it. It's not always meant badly. People aren't necessarily targeting me. All stars get taken from time to time."

Xanadu

Can 'Xanadu' be compared to 'Grease'? Olivia: "I think 'Xanadu' is even grander and suitable for an even wider audience. Not least thanks to the presence of Gene Kelly, the most famous dancer after Fred Astaire." Learned anything from the old master? Olivia: .."A tremendous amount. That man has so much experience. And he still does it with great pleasure. Not a faded star who just has to do it again. He has the heart of a young man. Very charming."

Travolta

You met Travolta again recently. Did you talk about your films, which will compete with each other in the fall? Olivia: "I don't know if that's true. From what I understand, 'Urban Cowboy' is not exactly a musical, comparable to 'Xanadu.' I'm glad that this film of John's is a success; he's a fine man and an excellent actor. I suspect he moved on to overly serious roles a bit too quickly. Although I understand that. He was terrified that he would have to star in films like 'Grease' for the rest of his life." And you? Olivia: .."For me, it's different. I'm a vocalist first and foremost: acting is a fun side project. But I wouldn't turn down a good role without dance and music."

Text: Sylvie Simmons/Lodewijk Rijff Photos: Gamma

Television: Tuesday, August 19, Netherlands 1