‘There was resentment, definitely’: Olivia Newton-John’s nephew drops bombell sibling rivalry claims

Rona Newton-John’s son has dropped bombshell claims about his mother’s relationship with her celebrity sister, Olivia Newton-John, saying she envied the superstar.

The son of the Melbourne showbiz figure Rona Newton-John has dropped bombshell claims about his mother’s envious relationship with her superstar sister Olivia Newton-John.

Emerson Newton-John, 49, a professional racing car driver based in the US, said actor and model Rona was jealous of Olivia’s success.

“As much as Rona and Olivia loved each other, had a close relationship and would have done anything for each other, there was resentment, definitely, and on a lot of levels,” Emerson told US website Mindfood.

“It wasn’t just the way in which their parents treated Olivia in comparison to Rona, but it was no secret that my mom also had aspirations to be a star, whether it was as an actress or a singer, or both. And I think she could have been. I don’t think Olivia was any more talented than her, but one got that lucky break and one didn’t. That’s a tough pill to swallow.”

Rona Newton-John with sister Olivia Newton-John. Picture: Newsmakers

He says Rona also taunted Olivia about her good girl image.

“She would call Olivia ‘Pollyanna’ all the time and Olivia absolutely hated it,” Emerson said. “Rona and Olivia didn’t really stray too far from those polar opposite personas their entire lives. Olivia, the goody-two-shoes Snow White, and Rona, the naughty schoolgirl who had a lot more fun than her sister.”

Emerson’s father is Graham Hall.

Rona was married to US actor Jeff Conaway, most famous for his role as Kenickie in the hit movie, Grease, from 1980 to 1985.

Jeff Conaway, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta and Stockard Channing walk arm in arm on Grease. Picture: Paramount Pictures

After her marriage to Conaway, Rona wed Melbourne restaurateur and nightclub owner Brian Goldsmith.

They have three children, Tottie, a singer and actor Brett, a photographer, and Fiona, a yoga instructor, who all live in Melbourne.

Rona died of cancer in 2013. She was 70.

Olivia died of cancer in 2022. She was 73.

Olivia Newton John with husband John Easterling. Picture: Instagram

Emerson said Rona’s marriage to Conaway was tumultuous, and recounted a horrific incident between the two while driving inthe Hollywood Hills.

“We had spent the day at Disneyland and they were arguing all day. I remember him reaching over, popping her seat belt offand then reaching over to pull her door handle open,” Emerson said.

“He was driving really fast, flying around the corners, so he’d gain momentum which made it easier to push her out. I was in the back with my arms around her trying to keep her from falling out, and I was hitting his hand to try and stop him.

“They were the worst couple on Earth as far as feeding each other’s addictions and insanity. She pushed his buttons constantly, and they brought out the ugliness in one another.”

But Emerson said Rona was incredibly charming, and claims she once had President George H.W Bush, under her spell.

Rona and Olivia performed for President Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush for a TV special in 1989.

By coincidence, three years later, Rona, Olivia, and President Bush were on the same Qantas flight to Melbourne.

“When the President found out they were on the same plane, he insisted Rona come to first class to sit with him and Olivia,” Emerson said.

“President Bush wrote to Rona twice after that flight. When I talked to Livvy about it, she told me that President Bush was absolutely smitten by Rona. She thought if he hadn’t been married and was maybe a few years younger, he would have asked her out on a date.

“My mother was a master flirter,” Emerson said. “World class.”