At a time when Cher seems to be stealing the limelight for her ageless cameo in the Mamma Mia! sequel, it’s worth remembering who was at the forefront of the 1970s music revolution that put fashion, finesse and fun back into a scene that had been seriously lacking an uplifting slant.
Some 40 years on, and despite a succession of profound life challenges, our very own Olivia Newton-John insists Sandra Dee’s youthful optimism has never left her. In fact, it continues to carry her forward into new tomorrows, as Frank Grice discovers.
While Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Flashdance and various other musical romantic comedies rarely diminish in terms of their relevance to popular music and popular culture, Olivia Newton-John is the first to admit that the stars of the show aren’t quite as agile and spritely as they once were. “That’s the beautiful thing about film,” she begins; “we’re all set in time… set in stone, almost. Film stars are notorious for complaining about something or other – the travelling, the work schedules, the autographs… but being captured at their very best and preserved forevermore like that… we’re comfortable with that!”
From a very first answer, it’s clear the just turned 70-year-old hasn’t lost any of the brightness that made her a global sweetheart. And that’s no mean feat given everything the bubbly actress, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and activist has been through, because as if battling breast cancer at the age of 44 wasn’t enough, Newton-John then had to weather a divorce – from American actor and singer Matt Lattanzi – that made her a single mum to daughter, Chloe, now 30.
Happily, a decade ago she married partner John Easterling, and continues to sell out concert venues the world over, whilst also embarking on a number of initiatives to boost awareness and positivity around her wellness programs and initiatives.
Indeed, she, Grammy nominee Beth Nielsen Chapman and producer Amy Sky even lent their vocal and songwriting talents to create LIV ON, an 11-song collection intended for those who wish to transcend loss while walking a journey toward newfound meaning and hope. “LIV ON means to thrive, to have hope and to remember”, says Olivia. “As a group, it was our intention to create songs with a message of compassion and hope. It’s for anyone facing a time of challenge in their life. Life is a gift, and I’ve always told people to get physical, get spiritual and get happy, but in your own time.”
It follows then that Olivia Newton-John’s outlook in 2018 is one rich in positivity, optimism, and a healthy dose of laughter. “Oh gosh, I think you have to laugh at everything,” she smiles, “particularly at yourself and even in difficult situations. I know I’ve always found laughter, and crying, are tremendous emotional releases. Certainly laughter is a very important way of healing – it’s a release for your brain and body, a wonderful escape of endorphins, and even in the most uncomfortable of situations.”
By this, Newton-John is referring to when she received the news that the lump she had found in her breast in 1992 was indeed cancerous. “I laughed when I got the news – can you believe that? I laughed.
“I’m usually able to laugh at most things so I’m not sure why this should have been any different. I guess it’s a natural stress releaser for me and it’s a strange way to react, and of course not always appropriate… but it works.”
Newton-John’s appeal seems to be timeless. Women are motivated and inspired by her triumphs over struggles in life, yet there is no secret. “You can’t force happiness on yourself or on anyone else, but you can deal with the things that are potentially making you unhappy,” she says. “I think it’s a decision. I know I have a naturally pretty positive outlook and tend to believe the best in people and things – it’s almost scientific, that sort of
outlook, but I do believe you can nurture it, and I certainly believe the way you think affects your health and future. It affects your survival.”
With more than 100 million albums sold, Newton-John’s ‘survival’ allows her to look back on four Grammys, numerous Country Music, American Music and People’s Choice Awards, an Emmy Award, two number one hits and over 15 top 10 singles. And it’s music that remains effortlessly romantic, never straying too far into spirituality, despite the temptation.
“I think there is a line you have to draw – I feel that everyone comes to their own belief in their own spiritual direction that we all end up in whatever you want to call it – God, the Creator, Allah – something greater
than yourself that you can’t explain. But for me it’s enough to express that in the way I live, and I think in music people want a much less challenging, much more uplifting way to exist.
“I don’t want to create debate over spirituality or impress my views on anyone. In fact, what upsets me more than anything else in this world is when people argue, fight and kill each other over what they believe in. But I think there is still a common ground where we can and should respect each other’s beliefs.” Newton-John’s life experiences have certainly been pivotal in informing her ability to heal. She practises meditation and visualisation, and insists that the secret to a long life is personal contentment in inspiring surroundings, with balance and the chance to rejuvenate from setbacks. “For me it’s all about being positive and recognising the stresses that exist in everyone, whether they are in work or our private lives. These days it’s very easy for me to respond to these challenges through balanced living that focuses on stress reduction and healthy eating. I find when I come home to my husband, to my friends, to my animals and to nature – my dog, my cat, my chickens, my little horses – they are the balances in my life… they’re the things that bring me the most peace and joy. Those things and music, of course.”
Looking forward, while Newton-John won’t accept the word ‘retirement’ – “you don’t retire in this game because it keeps luring you back” – she does admit that reducing performing duties frees up time to pursue the somewhat more serene things in life. “I love going for long walks,” she says. “I walk along the beach, I hike, I take the
dogs out, play sports – particularly tennis – watch the sunrise in the morning, sit under the stars at night and even immerse myself in the rain; it‘s all healing.
“I don’t believe in later life we should ever slow down – our bodies are just not designed to do so much for so many years, then nothing. That just seems wrong to me.
“I’ve learnt that the really challenging thing about getting older sometimes isn’t dealing with ourselves at all, more that as time goes on there’s a lot of loss and anxiety that happens around us. I think we need to accept that this will come about, as well as recognising that it’s okay to be sad, and it takes time to heal – nobody can rush you. The reason we grieve is because we love, and that’s where the strength is for our healing.
“And I will always say that music is the best healing of them all – you might hear a song that sparks a memory or mood and it creates emotions in your body. It’s proven that plants grow more with music on and babies respond to it even before they’re born. Music is a vibration and we are made of vibrations.”
Certainly, Olivia Newton-John’s intention to pursue happiness and health has seen her through battles that some may not have been able to emerge from.
“No matter what age you are, and no matter what setbacks you need to overcome, life is there to be lived, and my God is it worth it!”
START AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON
Oliva Newton-John’s daily food routine
“A couple of years ago I really got into the idea of delicious breakfast smoothie. My friend recommended a three-day cleanse which featured a delicious morning drink, and while this recipe doesn’t sound hugely exciting, it does taste amazing.
“So I’ll start with avocado, spinach, lettuce, lemon, fresh mint, stevia and fresh spring water . You put all that in a blender, whizz it together and straight away, first thing in the morning, it will fill you with nutrients you need.
“Then mid-morning we’ll have eggs fresh from our chickens, gluten free toast, and maybe a cup of black or green tea. I used to drink a lot of tea but I’ve cut back on my caffeine.
“What’s more, I’m trying to eat high protein, low grain and alkaline foods. They believe these days that most illnesses are caused by inflammation so foods like grains, dairy and caffeine eaten on a regular basis can be bad news. Therefore I but I will restrict myself to eating little bits at a time if I am having those foods.
“Otherwise I’ll have a salad with cilantro chicken and lemon vinaigrette for dinner, perhaps a collard wrap with salmon, avocado and basil sauce; and a snack could be guacamole-filled lettuce boats. Everything is delicious.
“I used to eat carrots but found out they are full of sugar, so now I might head more towards apples for the pectin, almonds, and perhaps a handful of blueberries – they’re tasty and have many anti-cancer properties.”
[…] Hopelessly devoted to life […]