Olivia and kicking
Whether lashed into leather or offering hope to women worldwide, Olivia Newton-John is an Aussie icon. Here she talks Grease, Mardi Gras and getting physical for a worthy cause
By Andrew Georgiou
Newton-John is committed to raising awareness and money for cancer
Queer Sydney is buzzing with the news of your performance at the Mardi Gras. What does it mean to you to be part of this occasion? I am very excited to be asked to be a part of Mardi Gras. The gay community has always been so amazingly supportive of me through my career and high and low points in my life. As a community I feel most gay men and women are extremely loving and warm and I can’t wait to feel that energy at Mardi Gras.
You’ve had a long connection with the gay community... I am honoured to have that connection. The gay community is on so many levels an inspiration to so many people and to know they have been fans for all of these years truly touches my heart. Now I can give something back to them at the biggest party of the year in Sydney.
Sydney drag queen Minnie Cooper recently performed her version of ‘Grease Is The Word’ in Sandy leathers at our Mardi Gras issue launch. Your thoughts? [Laughing] I have heard of so many drag queens “doing me” over the years. I would love to see one – that would be a complete blast!
There were rumours of a Grease 3 in the pipeline, with you and John Travolta playing your characters Sandy and Danny as parents... Maybe years ago but I think Grease 3 won’t happen. You can’t have that magic on the screen twice in one lifetime, though I still remain close to many of my co-stars from Grease, especially John and Didi Conn (Frenchy).
You gravitated away from feature film for a lengthy period. Was that a conscious decision and if so why? Grease was such an amazing experience for me and in Xanadu I got to dance with Gene Kelly. I guess having had moments like that, it’s hard to think beyond the fun and memories from those films. I also got to be a part of a wonderful film called It’s My Party (written by Grease director Randal Kleiser) that was very special for all of us. I would love to do more films – someone only has to ask and if it is a really good role and script, I would for sure consider it!
When Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer, she looked to you for inspiration. Do you consider what your own battle with cancer a blessing in terms of helping others? It sounds weird but in hindsight it was a blessing to me, though I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else. When I was first diagnosed, I was here in Australia and went to the ladies room at a restaurant. An older woman, maybe in her 60s, said to me “Love, I hear you have breast cancer. I had it 20 years ago and I am fine now!” It is amazing how that one encounter put everything into perspective and made me realize I am going to get through this and be fine.
How did the idea for your Great Wall Of China walk come about? We have been planning the Great Walk To Beijing for over four years. The event is to help raise funds to build a cancer centre in Melbourne. It will be an amazing test of endurance both physically and emotionally and in many ways those challenges are the same ones – physical and emotional – that people face when dealing with cancer and treatments.
Have you had to do much physical preparation for the event? I am pretty fit and walk and hike almost daily but for an event of this magnitude – 228 km – I have my friend Diane Heavin, who’s the owner and founder of Curves fitness centres walking with me the entire three weeks. Curves is also assisting with a major fundraising effort with all of its members so it’s very exciting.
You have an amazing history with Australia and have always remained quintessentially Australian. What do you think makes Sydney so unique ? I think that Sydney is full of some of the warmest and friendliest people in the world. I have to say the Opera House is one of the most beautiful places both inside and out.
I recently filmed a concert special there (Olivia Newton John with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) and no matter how many times I have been there, I am always amazed at the true beauty of the architecture of the building.
Do you see yourself ever returning to Australia for good? I have a farm near Byron Bay and I hope to be back there more and more over the next year. No matter what is going on in my life, the moment I hit Australian soil I am home. It will always be home and hopefully not too far in the future I will be able to stay there most of the time.
Olivia Newton-John will perform live at Mardi Gras Party, Moore Park, as well as release her Live from the Sydney Opera House CD and DVD through Warner Music on 1 March. For more information on her ‘Great Walk’ log on to www.olivianewton-john.com.
Sign up for our Gay & Lesbian newsletter and get all the best of Queer Sydney in your inbox every week