Sunday Show 2018 / An Olivia Newton-John Special on Spotlight by Alex Cullen

This is a wonderful interview by Alex Cullen for Channel 7 news in Australia. It takes place at Olivia's ranch in Santa Barbara. There's great footage of Olivia walking around her ranch and meeting with all her animals. Olivia gets a great kick out of just hearing the noise her ponies make whilst eating.

There are contributions from John and Pat Farrar, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Barry Gibb, Didi Conn, Delta Goodrem, husband John Easterling and niece Totti Goldsmith. Pat shows a great photo of her and Olivia from the 60s with hair pieces and false eyelashes.

There's a moving moment where her niece Totti Goldsmith discusses the disappearance of Patrick. She talks about how crazy that time was with suddenly the whole world having theories Shocking!. Totti says that she only hope he did drown as she'd hate to think he disappeared.

Olivia's friends speak about how they've coped with Olivia's cancer diagnosis. Pat Farrar says I haven't handled it very well..pretty upset about it at times. Even the interviewer says It upsets me that you are living with cancer. Olivia, not one to dwell in self-pity, points out that she is one in millions doing so. She explains that she keeps positive by not thinking about herself all the time. She is very aware of what a very privileged person she is and that she has nothing to complain about. Truly inspirational!

The original interview ends with Olivia's theme music Don't Stop Believin' to her and John watching the sunset.

Ed - After Olivia's death on August 8 2022, Channel Seven re-showed this special entitled An Olivia Newton-John Special on Spotlight. It included an extra section about where Olivia would like her ashes scattered - partly with her family in Byron Bay and in other places she loves. This edition also ended with a musical tribute of I Honestly Love You performed by Australian female artists.

Quote of the show: Singing is my happy place. To me that is my soul.