Olivia Newton-John death: Daughter posts moving tribute to Grease star, who has died aged 73
Follow for the latest updates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hollywood legend Olivia Newton-John has died of breast cancer. She was 73 years old.
The actor’s husband John Easterling announced her death on her Facebook page on Monday afternoon (8 August).
“Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” the post read.
“We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Easterling continued: “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.”
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
Olivia Newton-John death: Actor, singer and activist dies aged 73
Olivia Newton-John told women to ‘trust their instincts’ after first mammogram failed to pick up breast cancer
Grease The Musical star: It was surreal to break Dame Olivia’s death to audience
There was more to Olivia Newton-John than just Grease
Kelly Clarkson shares her performance of ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’
The singer and talk-show host paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John by sharing a clip of herself singing the hit track from Grease “Hopelessly Devoted To You”.
Clarkson performed the song during an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, which aired in 2020.
Stockard Channing – aka Rizzo from ‘Grease’ – recalls Olivia Newton-John’s ‘sunniness’ and ‘warmth'
Stockard Channing, who played Pink Lady Betty Rizzo, remembered her costar as “the essence of summer”.
The actor told People Magazine: “I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being.”
“Olivia was the essence of summer – her sunniness, her warmth and her grace are what always come to mind when I think of her,” she said. “I will miss her enormously.”
Dinah Manoff says she was ‘one lucky Pinky Lady’ to have spent time with Olivia Newton-John
Dinah Manoff – who played Marty Maraschino in the film – also issued a statement to People Magazine.
“As many will tell you, Olivia Newton-John was one of the kindest, most generous souls ever to grace the earth, and I was one lucky Pink Lady to have spent time with her during the filming of Grease,” Manoff said.
“She brought light and laughter wherever she went. My deepest condolences to her family and friends during their time of great loss.”
There was more to Olivia Newton-John than just Grease
While many people will remember Olivia Newton-John for her iconic role as Sandy Olsson in Grease, the singer and actor had a decades-spanning career that went far beyond the musical film.
She made her name as a folk musician and competed against ABBA at Eurovision before becoming a trail-blazing music video star and advocate for the healing power of cannabis. Kevin EG Perry delves into her legacy.
There was more to Olivia Newton-John than just Grease
She made her name as a folk musician and competed against ABBA at Eurovision before becoming a trail-blazing music video star and advocate for the healing power of cannabis
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban remember 'Livvie”
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John aka “Livvie” in a touching Instagram post.
The couple shared a photo of themselves with the star, accompanied by the caption: “Livvie brought the most divine light into the world... so much love, joy inspiration and kindness... and we will always be hopelessly devoted to you – Keith and Nic.”
Mariah Carey shares photos of pair singing together on stage
Mariah Carey has paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John with a heartwarming Instagram post recounting the first time she “fell in love with Olivia’s voice”.
“I first fell in love with Olivia’s voice when I was a little girl and heard ‘I Honestly Love You,’” Carey wrote, praising Newton-John’s “beautiful airy tone and signature sound”.
The singer continued: “And THEN there was GREASE. I was obsessed. I dressed up as Bad Sandy for Halloween in fifth grade and thought I was everything.”
Carey went on to recall when Newton-John joined her on stage in Melbourne, Australia for a duet of “Hopelessly Devoted To You”.
“This is a moment I will never ever forget. I was also blessed to be in her presence on many other occasions and she was one of the kindest, most generous and lovely people I’ve ever met. She will be missed. She will be remembered. She will be loved. Olivia, I honestly love you,” she said.
‘Grease’ star Barry Pearl gets emotional in TV interview paying tribute to his late co-star
Barry Pearl – who played the T-bird and Frenchy’s boyfriend, Doody, in the hit musical film – has paid tribute to his friend and co-star.
During an interview on BBC Radio 4 Today on Tuesday (9 August), Pearl became emotional as he recalled writing Newton-John a letter only a week ago.
The actor said he decided to write to her after hearing from a colleague that Newton-John was “failing again” in regards to her illness and suggested that “it wasn’t going to be long” until her death.
“I took it upon myself to write to her, as we would occasionally share emails amongst each other and [with] the other Grease-er pals too,” he explained.
“She would always sign her emails, ‘With love and light, Olivia.’ And I wrote to her – basically if you read between the lines she would be able to tell that I knew there was something going on – and I basically said that, ‘On your journey forward, simply know that you, Olivia , are the love and the light.’”
“She just always exuded that positivity. Just the way she handled this journey with grace. Her heart was so big.”
The ‘Grease’ cast pay tribute
Many of the ‘Grease’ stars have paid tribute to the icon after her death.
John Travolta posted a photograph of the actor on Instagram, with the words: “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.
“We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
Read The Independent’s round-up of all the cast reactions here.
Everything the Grease stars have said after Olivia Newton-John’s death
John Travolta and Stockard Channing are among the actors from the 1978 musical who have paid tribute
A fashion icon
Olivia Newton-John was not only an acting and singing legend but an icon in the fashion world, predominantly for her all-black ensemble in ‘Grease’.
For the film’s final scene, Sandy ditches her good girl pastel outfits and dons a rock ‘n’ roll all-black ensemble with skintight trousers, a sexy Bardot top, leather jacket and bright red heels.
The trousers and leather jacket were sold at auction in 2019 for more than £300,000, with the proceeds going to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.
Fashion experts have weighed in on what made the outfit so evocative. Shakaila Forbes-Bell, fashion psychologist and author of the upcoming book ‘Big Dress Energy’ (Piatkus, £16.99, Sep 15) suggests it became so popular because it’s relatable for many women.
“It’s the perfect transformational piece,” she says. “A lot of women go through that period when they want to step into a different headspace. They want to shed off their girlhood and step into womanhood, and it was the perfect visual representation of that.”
Fashion experts on why Olivia Newton-John’s final Grease outfit was so iconic
Following the actor’s death, Prudence Wade takes a look back at the memorable all-black ensemble.
Former EastEnders star Samantha Womack reveals she has breast cancer in tribute to Newton-John
In her heartfelt tribute to the Grease star, former EastEnders actor Samantha Womack revealed she had breast cancer, which Newton-John died from.
Womack, who played Newton-John’s character in the West End production of musical Grease in the 1990s, shared a photo of herself alongside the actor and her daughter, Chloe Latanzzi.
“I now start my own battle with this disease and am left feeling deeply moved,” she wrote on Twitter.
Former EastEnders star Samantha Womack shares breast cancer diagnosis
’I now start my own battle with this disease,’ she told her followers
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments