Hollywood Kids
Olivia Newton-John made the '80s rock with hit songs like "Xanadu" and "Physical." Now she's back on a roll with a new album and the re-release of Grease.
HOLLYWOOD KIDS: Describe yourself at age 12.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: Personally, my parents had recently divorced and I was a bit insecure. Professionally, I was already very musical, busy singing and doing shows.
Q: What was your first experience performing in front of an audience?
My sister’s husband owned a coffee lounge and I would sing harmony onstage with a guitarist.
Q: What was the first pro gig you were paid for?
Does singing at weddings count?
Q: No. Weren’t you a TV host?
Yes, I was Lovely Livvy on a kid’s show. I replaced Lovely Ann, who left the show to get married.
Q: You cut your first single, “It’s Not For You” in ‘71. What comes to mind?
I didn’t like it at the time, although it was a huge hit.
Q: But at least the cash started rolling in. What was your first splurge?
A Mini Minor, which was an English car that looked like a Matchbox toy. Then I bought a BMW hatch- back.
Q: You exercised your acting chops in the outer space movie musical Toomorrow, which was a bomb. What have you got to say about that?
I was abducted! [Laughs] It was pretty disastrous. After that movie I was nervous about being in a film again because I didn’t want to make another mistake.
Q: But you later went on to star in the superhit Grease.
Before I agreed to take the part I requested a screen test with John Travolta to make sure I wanted to do it.
Q: How did the part come your way?
I met producer Allan Carr during a dinner party at Helen Reddy’s house and he asked me to play Sandy.
Q: What was John Travolta like?
He’s a sweetheart with a great sense of humor. I’ll never forget how John helped me on the set. When I was filming a scene he would walk in front of the camera and say, “Hold on, hold on,” cutting off my scene. Then he whispered in my ear, “I know you can do better than that.”
Q: You call that help?
Well, he wanted to blow the scene for me so I could do it again. The director was shooting Grease very quickly and would sometimes just use the first take, not giving the cast a chance to do it a couple of times.
Q: Who is your closest friend from the cast of Grease?
Didi Conn, who played Frenchy, and Stockard Channing, who played Rizzo. Recently Stockard and her husband came with me to Catalina Island on my boat. I think she got a bit seasick.
Q: Why do you think Grease 2 was a flop?
The music wasn’t up to scratch, but I thought Michelle Pfeiffer was great.
Q: Any comments on 1996’s It’s My Party, which you made with Eric Roberts?
It was wonderful to work again with Randal Kleiser, who directed Grease, and wrote and directed this film. It was a labor of love.
Q: What’s the one thing that’s always in your refrigerator?
Soy milk.
Q: What’s the wildest rumor you’ve heard about yourself?
That I was having Burt Reynolds’s baby. [Laughs] I had never even met him when the rumor started.
Q: Didn’t you recently sing in Nashville at a fund-raiser?
Yes, it was Operation Smile, which was held at the Grand Ole Opry. I love the people there and performing “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease with Vince Gill was the highlight for me.
Q: Now that you’re busy promoting the re-release of Grease are you tempted to get back in the biz?
I’m talking to people about developing a TV show, which I can’t yet discuss. I’ve just recorded a new album, though, with all new songs. And I’ll be touring with Cliff Richard in Australia this spring.
Q: Last question: I heard you’re a huge animal lover. How many do you have?
Four dogs, two cats, several birds and fish, and two horses that have retired to Palm Springs.