Written By Valerie Miller
Being a journalist has its perks. You may get the chance to interview a legend. If you’re lucky, the person you interview will also be a joy. Olivia Newton-John was all of that and more. I interviewed her in spring 2014, after she launched “Summer Nights,” her residency show in Las Vegas.
Olivia Newton-John was an actress and singer that I was familiar with from a young age. My mom watched “Grease”, 1978, and told me about her love for that movie. (My brother would gift me the 30th anniversary DVD and I became a huge fan ).
After three decades of fighting breast cancer, the Australian-born singer died on August 8th at age 73. Olivia Newton-John wasn’t one of the victims. She dedicated her entire life to helping others beat breast cancer. She also founded “Pink and Blue for Two”, which raised awareness for prostate carcinoma. She insisted that I mention her “One Tree, One Child” charity, which combined her two great passions, helping children and trees.
Olivia Newton-John was passionate about causes that were close to her heart. During our brief encounter, her joy and optimism shone through. She was very down-to-earth and just plain friendly. She was not a celebrity.
It was a sad day to learn of her death. We have lost not only a great talent but also a great person.
I’m more optimistic than Olivia Newton-John, and I hope that the readers enjoy hearing from this amazing person.
I hope you enjoy the interview. And, I know that Olivia Newton-John’s optimism can be a source of inspiration for many people today.
Valerie Miller: Valerie, thank you so much. I must admit, I am a big fan. My entire family is huge fans. This is their most enthusiastic reaction to a story they’ve ever told.
Olivia Newton-John (Official): That’s very nice. Thank you!
VM: I’m a little star-struck, but not often. My first question is: I knew a little girl who wanted to play Sandy, Grease’s character, last Halloween. It was surprising that she had ever seen Grease. I asked her: What is the secret to Grease’s popularity over time? You have children who want to play your Halloween character all these years later and they are big fans of the movie.
ONJ: (Laughs). It’s a timeless story, I believe. The movie was already a huge success. People love the ’50s and love everything about it, including the costumes, makeup, hairstyles and hairstyles. The ’50s are a fun era. The music was romantic and enjoyable, with good dance music. It’s hard to believe that if I had known the secret, I would have taken it and made it again. It just seems to have a magical energy. I was just talking to someone about the fact the producers used come to the set every day to rev up us and tell us how amazing the day looked and have such a great energy. The director and the photographer did the same. We were kept occupied for most of the day by them. We were all in our 20s and all of us had to be 16 or 17. (laughing). It was fascinating because we all felt the same age. It was great energy and the music was catchy and fun. The way we shot it and how the chemistry worked with everyone made it one of those magical moments.
VM: I’m going to probably watch the (Grease), movie again tonight and then watch Xanadu. So… (laughing ).
ONJ: Oh, good! (laughing).
VM: It was a great one! (laughing).
ONJ: That’s so funny! Xanadu was also a movie that became a very iconic film. It was the music, I believe. Because the script was not that great. It’s funny now (laughing span>
ONJ It’s fun.
VM I was going ask you about Xanadu. How did it feel to dance in Xanadu with Gene Kelly?
ONJ: It was terrifying, of course! I had never learned tap dancing before and had to learn it. I took tap lessons for three to four months. It was like dancing with the stars, but with a real star. (Laughs).
VM I was going say… but Gene Kelly was dancing with you, so you might have been nervous.
ONJ: It was quite intimidating. But Kelly was great and he did a lot of rehearsals with me. It was a great experience.
VM: What made you decide to host a long-running Las Vegas show? Everyone here is happy you did. But I was surprised you chose to host a long-running show, a residency show.
ONJ: I did it because I have been traveling a lot in the last five years. I actually traveled… in 2013 and 2012. I was a frequent traveler and visited all corners of the globe. You know that touring can be very tiring, so the idea of staying in one place and one bed is appealing to me. You don’t need to sound check every day because the sound is the exact same. With all the amazing things Las Vegas has to offer… I’ve been here for 30 years and it is still a great place. It is very appealing, especially to girls. There are great shops and restaurants. Anything you need, you can find it.
VM So I was going ask how Vegas has changed for someone who has been performing for her for, like you said, thirty years.
ONJ: These changes are massive, as I said. There were few casinos and dirt roads when I first arrived in Vegas. Gambling was common and there was a lot of drinking. However, there weren’t a lot of good food or shopping. But if you look back now, you can shop everything. It was a place I used to frequent to shop. Nieman Marcus was there before all the big malls. It was the best one in the country. It was a place I loved to visit for shopping and lunch.
And it has changed tremendously.
ONJ It has.
VM: Your advocacy for breast cancer has made you a well-known advocate. You are also a breast cancer survivor. Congratulations!
ONJ Thank you.
VM: That’s amazing. I was curious: What advice would you offer other women regarding early detection and (in the worst case) being diagnosed with breast cancer?
ONJ: I suppose for women who have been diagnosed. I can only say that I am still here (all these) many years later, whatever it was, ’92. I am very thankful that I was able to get through it. You can overcome it You just have to be positive. It is important to do all you can to protect your body. It is very hard for women to prioritize their own needs. We tend to worry about our family and friends even when we’re sick. There are times you need to be focused on yourself and let others take care of you. This is a very different mentality for many women. (Laughing ).
VM: Yeah, I’d agree.
ONJ: It is important to eat well and think well. You also need to take care to your spirit. You can do something that makes you feel good every day, whether that’s a warm bath, a walk, or laughing. This is what you should be wearing when you’re going through any illness. But especially breast cancer. People will always call you to ask how you are doing. It can also be very exhausting. It is important to find someone you can trust to handle all of that and to just focus on healing.
That makes a lot more sense.
ONJ: Yes.
VM: You look absolutely amazing. I was going ask you: What’s your secret? You look amazing. Do you know a secret to looking so young?
ONJ
VM: It’s true.
ONJ: It is, you know. I am married to John Easterling, who owns Amazon Herbs, a herb company. He gives me three handfuls of herbs per day (laughing). I don’t take any medication. I eat healthy. Genetically, I’m blessed. Even in her 80s, my mother looked great. She is a wonderful woman, and I am grateful to her (laughing). Although I don’t love exercising, I do it. Every day, I walk my dog. I exercise every day, using the treadmill and gym, to keep fit.
And, out of all the roles you have in movies, which one is closest to your personality.
ONJ: I don’t know. I believe we all have different parts to our personalities. Or, you could imagine that you would dare, dare sufficient to be that personality. I’m a lot older than you might think. Grease was my 29th year. I was 29 when I did Grease. It wasn’t me as a young woman… There were parts of me in all of them (laughing ).
VM: What is your favorite song? I’m sure everyone would love that. Is it like choosing your favorite child or a favorite song from all of your songs?
ONJ: It is difficult to choose a favorite song. But, I love them all for different reasons. They all represent different aspects of my life.
VM – You carried the Olympic torch 2000 in Sydney.
ONJ: Yes!
How big was that honor, considering all you have accomplished in your life?
ONJ: If people ask me about the highlights of my life, I will answer that they are the Olympics representing my country. I also sang in the opening ceremony… It was a great honor to be able to stand on that stage and see that crowd of hopeful young athletes. The torch was also passed to me. Two things happened: I ran around Sydney Opera House with the torch and my daughter Chloe was allowed along. She followed me. It was truly amazing.
It was even more special that your daughter was with you.
ONJ That was something very special.
VM: I was just reading about the controversy surrounding your hit song “Physical”, which came out in 1981. Did you worry that “Physical”, would damage your girl-next door wholesome image?”
ONJ: I was actually freaked out. When we made the record and put it out, I experienced panic attacks! (Laughing). My manager called me and I said that we had gone too far. It’s time to get it off the radio. He said, “It’s just too much!” It’s taking off.” And it was there before I knew it. It was number one for 10 weeks. (Laughing). …. So I said “Ahh!” Let’s get in there and create a video about exercise. (Laughing). It was hilarious, I thought. It was hilarious, I think. However, I was also banned from Utah.
It was banned in Utah?
ONJ: Yes, I was banned. That didn’t thrill me. (Laughing).
VM: That may be a good thing. (Laughing).
ONJ: Yes, I do! (Laughing). It is now a thought that. It was something that I found out later. Then I recorded my Utah concert video. I was banned. But everyone came out. They didn’t seem to care. It was quite funny. It was very funny! (Laughing).
VM: There is nothing better than bringing out the fans by saying something about someone or something that has been banned. Everyone wants to see them.
ONJ: Yes. Isn’t it a bazar?
VM It kind of has an opposite effect.
ONJ Yes. It’s strange like that.
VM Do you have any other questions?
ONJ The Olivia breast health kit is found in many hospitals.
Thank you for your efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer.
ONJ: John Easterling is my husband. He’s known as “Amazon John” by his friends. He spent so much time in Amazonia, searching for miraculous herbs to heal. We have been married for ….. (then?) five years. I lost track of it, it is terrible. (Laughing). He is an amazing speaker about Amazon and its products …… Now, we have merged our companies with Trivita. We now sell our products through Trivita.
ONJ: He has a drink and many other herbal products that help me get through. His schedule and lifestyle are perfect for me. It is amazing. We both do a lot together for the Amazon Center. (And) through education, research — and helping people in the Amazon. This includes education, water, and other such things. He has been down there (more than 30 years).
VM: I must say that I am impressed by you. You are not only known for your movies and music, but also for the dedication you show to your causes.
ONJ: We are so grateful! It is so kind of you to say that!
Valerie Miller is a journalist based in Las Vegas Valley. She can be reached at (702) 683-3986 or [email protected].
The post Olivia Newton-John is Remembered by a Reporter with Insightful Interview originally appeared on Vegas Legal Magazine.