Olivia Newton-John tragically passed away at the age of 73.
Tributes have poured in for the Grease star from everyone who was inspired by her acting and singing career.
The Australian star actually visited Ireland in 2019 where she was joined by Amy Huberman to unveil her exhibition at the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons.
VIP Magazine featured an interview with the icon at the time, so here is what she had to say during her last visit to Ireland in 2019. It’s even more poignant now.
On legendary movie Grease and the iconic costumes…
The film was huge when it opened, but none of us could have predicted we’d still be talking about it more than 30 years later. Everything about making the film was fun, but if I had to pick a favourite moment, it was the transformation from what I call Sandy 1 to Sandy 2. I got to play a different character and wear different clothes, and when I put on that tight black outfit to sing ‘You’re the One That I Want’, I got a very different reaction from the guys on the set.
On following your dream…
Maintain yourself, keep the focus and never give up. You’ll get knocked back and get rejected – I had a lot of knockbacks and rejections – but I loved what I did and I just thought that was part of the journey and without those valleys and troughs, those peaks aren’t as enjoyable.
On looking so fab…
I am delighted to be able to age…it is denied to so many. The tricks? Good lighting! And I have a skincare line! I’m also very fortunate, my mum looked very good up to age 89. I think positively, which I think comes through. And I try to age gracefully. I keep a sense of humour about all things and I have wonderful love in my life, from my wonderful husband John, which is probably the most important gift I have.
On her hopes for the future…
I want to see an end to cancer in my lifetime that’s my dream, also, total health for me. I want to see my daughter live a happy fulfilling life and, maybe see some grandchildren! Last year when I broke my sacrum (a bone in the lower back) and was in my own hospital in Melbourne, which was just lovely, I was on morphine for pain. But with medicinal cannabis, I wanted myself off morphine and I want people to know this, I want them to know that it is possible, that cannabis can help pain.
On her 27-year on-off battle with cancer…
Tree bouts with cancer and I’m still here. You have to believe you’ll still be. And you have to ignore statistics. I’m very fortunate I have a husband who is a plant medicine man: he helps me with herbs and I use medicinal cannabis which has been a huge part of my journey. I’ve mixed traditional medicine, herbal medicine and homoeopathic medicine, with a mind/body/spiritual focus and I’ve stayed positive. But on a practical level don\t make it your life, your illness, because you have to live your life.
Rest in Peace, Olivia.
