Olivia Newton-John, by Jennifer Kay
She was born in England and raised in Australia, but she’s America’s sweetheart. Whether we know her from her honey-voiced country tunes, her starring role in the blockbuster hit, “Grease” or her pop career in the ’80s, Olivia Newton-John is a superstar in every sense of the word.
She charmed the country world with her 1973 debut album, Let Me Be There, whose title track was a Top-10 hit and earned her a Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance. Other hits for Newton-John in the 70s included the unforgettable No. 1 smash “I Honestly Love You,” “Please Mister Please” and “Have You Never Been Mellow.”
In the late ’70s, Olivia changed her tune to a more overtly pop flavor. Her role as Sandy in “Grease” put her in the national spotlight and made her a film star, not to mention both a sex symbol and role model for 1970s youth. The early 1980s saw Olivia continuing with her pop career, and she earned more No. 1 hits with songs like “Physical” and “Magic.”
In the early 1990s, tragedy struck when she was faced with breast cancer. After retreating briefly from the spotlight to focus on her recovery, she showed fans yet a different facet of herself-her highly spiritual album, Gaia, coincided with her thoughts and feelings while undergoing the lengthy treatment for her disease.
Now, in 1998, she’s come full circle with an unexpected return to country. Her new album, Back With A Heart, is Newton-John at her best, and after more than two decades away from country, you can hardly tell she’s ever left.
Olivia speaks to MCN in a phone interview from her Malibu home, where she lives with her 12-year-old daughter, Chloe (she and ex-husband Matt Lattanzi divorced in 1995).
Her dulcet voice, tinged with a hybrid Australian/British accent, often explodes into self-effacing, gleeful laughs as she speaks, often with depth and unconventionality, about her career and life.
I always thought you lived in Australia.
Everybody thinks that. I do have a house there and I go back all the time, so I feel like I live in both places, but my main residence is in California.
Why did you decide to release another country album after all these years?
About a year and a half ago, I had a problem with my throat. I began thinking about why I was having this sore throat and believing that sometimes your body gives you signals. And I thought to myself, “What would happen if I couldn’t use my voice?”
And I thought, “You know, I take my voice for granted. Maybe this is some kind of signal to me that I should be singing again.” That’s really how it started. I had a gift and I wasn’t using it, and when I thought about recording again, I really thought I wanted to go back to country music. Which is my roots it’s how it all began. And because we heard that “Grease” was going to be re-released, it seemed like the perfect launching for an album. I kind of feel like the way country is right now is where my music fits in - it’s country with a pop flavor.
Why did you re-record your hit, “I Honestly Love You?”
I did a television show for Lifetime Television and they asked me if I would sing for them - it was at the last minute and I sang it without an orchestra, only a piano. And I loved the feel of it and the response from the audience. I thought if I ever record another album, I’d love to re-record that song. The magic was that (pop singer and song-writer) Baby-face agreed to sing some vocals on it.
What’s been the highlight of your career?
I’ve had a lot of major events. I think “Grease” was one of the major ones because it was such an enormous hit in both film and record. It covered every area. Still does. “Physical” was enormous - I hate boasting about these things, but it was 10 weeks at No. 1, and it was amazing. I’ve had many highlights. I’ve been a very lucky person.
Will you ever do another movie?
Like “Grease?” Not at my age now, no. (Laughs). But any other movie, sure. I get sent scripts all the time, but I haven’t found anything I want to do yet. I think singing is my favorite, but I enjoy acting. It’s a challenge, it’s different.
You’ve beat breast cancer. Do any of the songs on the album reflect what’s been going on in your personal life?
I think when you write or when you’re selecting songs, - where you are in your life reflects that. You can’t help but write some of your experiences. The album is a reflection of where I am and I think the title track means exactly what it says - I’m back with a heart, and I’m happy.
It must have been hard dealing with such a frightening experience.
It made me grow. I learned a lot about myself and my values and I gained a lot from experiencing something that frightening because it puts everything else into perspective. I’m six years along (cancer-free), and I ran into a woman and her mother in the elevator after I got my checkup yesterday. She said, “I just want you to know that you’ve been an inspiration to me. I’ve just finished my treatment and it’s really wonderful to know that you’re five years down the road.”
That’s really why I talk about it. Because when I was starting my treatment, I remember being in a ladies’ room and a woman came up to me and said, “I’ve been reading about you in the papers and I just want you to know that it’s been 20 years for me.” And that was an amazing moment.
My advice for other women going through it is to talk to another patient who’s gone through it. That’s really helpful. Find some kind of spiritual base that’s really comforting and try to adjunct your medical treatment with some kind of herbal or homeopathy or vitamin therapy to keep your body strong.
What do you do to keep yourself healthy?
Western medicine is very important to me, but I believe in balancing Eastern and Western medicine, to keep you balanced. I’m a Libra, and we have to bal-ance everything out. I love yoga and I should be doing it. I’m a bit out of practice, though. Trying to keep the spine supple is very important.
You’ve been devoting most of your time lately to charity work.
I’m concerned for the planet. I’m not a scientist with all this amazing information, but I do what I can. I’m the spokesperson for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, which was started by my best friends, who lost their daughter to cancer. Our focus is turning tragedy into something really positive. The organization is trying to improve the standards of pesticides in our environment. Right now, the government measures the safe amount of pesticides by a fully grown, 160-pound male. Children eat and drink eight times the amount of food and water per body weight than we do. Their systems aren’t formed yet and they’re not protected. One of our major goals is to make the government improve the standards.
What motivates you in life?
My mother gave me a very good sense of independence, to rely on myself. I’m never bored and life is incredible, even though it’s difficult at times. My daughter is an incredible motivation. She’s the joy of my life. When you ask me what’s the best thing that’s ever happened, my answer is my daughter. My career comes second. She’s my biggest treasure.
Is there anything people might be surprised to know about you?
Lots, but I’m not going to tell you! People always think that movie stars and recording stars don’t do human things. I’m a very normal person, like this morning I got up and fed the cats and cleaned the cat box. Maybe that’s surprising, maybe not!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m very interested in wildlife. I like anything to do with animals. This weekend I’m going to a horse riding or horse whispering seminar with two girlfriends. I’ve always loved to ride. My favorite horse had to be put down last week because he was something like 40 years old.
Do you have a lot of problems going out in public and being recognized?
It’s been happening since I was 15. It’s a part of my life and I would say 99 percent of the time, people are respectful and very kind. But I get special treatment, which is why I’m really spoiled! (Laughs) If I’m having an ugly day I’ll stay at home or put on glasses and a baseball hat. But generally people are very cool.
What’s next for you?
I’ll have to see what happens. I do know that in 2000 I’ll be part of the Olympic Games in Germany. And I’m talking about writing a book.
How does it feel to be turning 50 this month?
When I was in my twenties, 50 sounded like, “Oh my God, will I ever be there?” It sounds corny, but if you’re happy on the inside, it shines through. I have a friend who’s 84. She’s so beautiful and my mother’s beautiful because they shine. When I was turning 40, it was more of a shocking point for me. Now I’m just delighted to be turning 50. Life is an incredible gift and I feel lucky when I get up every day.