Olivia sizzles
With a wild new film role, Olivia shows she's still got what it takes
Olivia Newton-John’s hopelessly wholesome image is about to be shattered with a hot new film role. “It’s totally at odds with my image, and I had such a blast doing it. I play complete trailer trash!” laughs Olivia.
The still-stunning 51-year-old plays Bitsy Mae Harling in the new movie Sordid Lives, written and directed by playwright Del Shores. Bonnie Bedelia, Beau Bridges and Delta Burke also star in the film, “I bleached my hair, put fake tattoos on my arms and chest and had a great time”, adds Olivia, whose new spiky hairdo reveals part of Bitsy’s character.
“It’s set in Texas, so it’s all cowboy boots and short skirts-real class!”
“I got to sing some hymns and play guitar, which is something I’ve never done before on screen. I’ve always been really shy about being seen with a guitar, simply because I’m not that good. But for this part it worked. It’s a wacky, way-out comedy with lots of truth and sadness.”
Olivia recently received the Woman of the 21st Century award, for her devotion to charity work, from the Women’s Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Gradually getting everything in order in the new Malibu house she shares with daughter Chloe, she is still on a high after the success of The Main Event tour in Australia, which she headlined with John Farnham and Anthony Warlow.
She then “borrowed” John’s band for an eight-week tour of the US, and was amazed by the response from fans.
“I didn’t know what to expect because it’s been so long since I’ve been on the road I had no idea I would receive such a warm welcome.”
“It was so overwhelming.” adds Olivia, who is once again a featured artist-on the Spirit of Christmas CD, she sings The First Noel. Human Nature, Marcia Hines and Kate Ceberano are others who have donated their talent to the project, with profits going to The Salvation Army.
“The Salvation Army is wonderful in the way it cares for people who need help, and Christmas is the time we really should think about reaching out to people,” Olivia says.
She laughs as she tells of getting the kind of housewarming present every Californian dreads an earthquake on October 16 measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale. Luckily its epicentre was in a remote area.
“Things aren’t quite up on the walls yet, and I was watching these two pieces of mirror propped up against the wall and thinking, Oh gosh, please don’t break!”
Olivia’s heart may have skipped a beat but it seems her career hasn’t.
The Spirit of Christmas CD is available from Myer Grace Bros stores.