The Grease singer admits that while she still wonders what could have been, she regrets nothing
By Pamela Chow. Featured image: Denise Truscello
Olivia Newton-John tells us she’s “not that wild”, but her life has been nothing short of dramatic.
The 67-year-old Australian singer gained massive popularity with songs like “You’re the One that I Want” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” for the 1978 blockbuster Grease.
Since then, she’s gone on to amass accolades including four Grammy awards, four double-platinum albums and 11 certified-gold singles.
Things got even more interesting for ONJ (as her adoring fans call her) after her daughter, Chloe Rose Lattanzi, came into the picture.
Weekender finds out more about how ONJ spends her summer nights, and what keeps her hopelessly devoted to her passion.
Other than your current “Summer Nights” Tour, what have you been busy with recently?
I’m really excited that I just finished a new CD called “Liv On”. Those songs came from a conversation I had with my friends, Amy Sky and Beth Nielsen Chapman, after we all went through a loss in our personal lives.
The CD will be released in September. I am very excited for fans to hear these wonderful songs and hopefully it can help those going through a loss or a difficult time.
In addition, I really love being in residency at Flamingo Las Vegas! This is my third year!
What do you like about performing in Vegas?
I’m just happy to be a part of that wonderful community… I do a meet and greet in Vegas every night and I always ask ‘where are you from?’ and people come from Asia, Australia, England, Europe, South America – everywhere!
I [also] love performing there because it’s the most ‘normal’ job I’ve ever had – I sleep in the same bed every night, get to go for walks with my husband and my dog Raven. It’s heaven.
I’m also so happy that the Flamingo and Caesars Entertainment are donating a portion of every ticket sold from my Vegas show to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia.
Many people see Grease as the defining moment in your career. What do you personally regard as the best moment in your career?
I’ve been very lucky to have had so many wonderful moments in my career, Grease being one of them of course.
I would probably say dancing with Gene Kelly in Xanadu and performing at the Opening Ceremonies for the Sydney Olympics were big highlights as well!
ONJ (right) in a dance sequence with Gene Kelly in Xanadu (1980). (Photo: lecinemadreams.blogspot.com)
You recently scored the Top Single on Billboard’s Dance Club chart with your daughter. What was it like to work with her?
I was so excited. It was actually Chloe’s idea to take one of my hits, “Magic” from Xanadu, and write new verses and turn it into a dance mix. We had so much fun working on it, and the fact that it went to #1 was fantastic.
I was especially happy for Chloe as it was her first Billboard hit! She’s so talented as a singer and songwriter – now everyone knows what I’ve known for so long!
You’ve accomplished many great things. What’s next on your bucket list?
Oh gosh, I don’t think there is anything on my bucket list – I’ve been very lucky to have done so many wonderful and exciting things, both personally and professionally!
You previously said, “Never close the door to a possibility”. Have you ever regretted anything?
I don’t ever regret – I prefer to live life by focusing on positive things, and I believe that everything happens for a reason.
But, if there was one thing which I could have done but didn’t… Back when my daughter Chloe was born, I was asked to tour with Frank Sinatra. However, I decided to stay home and be a mum because Chloe was a baby.
I wouldn’t say I regret the decision, but it would have been an experience to tour with Sinatra.
What is the wildest thing you’ve done?
I’m not that wild. [Laughs] Probably the wildest thing I have done was to ride in a hot air balloon. I’m not a big fan of heights so that was pretty wild for me!
If you could travel anywhere now, where would you go and why?
That’s easy. I would travel to Australia and head to my Gaia Retreat and Spa in the Hinterlands of Byron Bay. It’s a wonderful place that I am proud to be a co-owner of… It’s the one place on Earth where I can completely relax, and we also have the best therapists and healers! I love being there as I get to truly unwind!
It’s also not far from my farm, so getting a chance to be there and hearing the bird song (the best!) makes it even more wonderful!
Catch Olivia Newton-John’s “Summer Nights” concert live in Singapore on May 4, 8pm, at the MasterCard Theatres in Marina Bay Sands. More information here.
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