Celebrities pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John following her death
Music legend Molly Meldrum has shared an emotional tribute to Olivia Newton-John, revealing his pain over losing a friend he considered “family”.
Tributes are flowing in for Olivia Newton-John in the wake of her tragic death, with celebrities remembering the iconic Aussie actress.
Newton-John died, aged 73, at her ranch in California following a long battle with breast cancer.
A statement from close friend and music industry legend Molly Meldrum was posted to Twitter this afternoon, in which Meldrum spoke of his heartbreak over the devastating news.
“Tonight, the stars will shine a little brighter and I am heartbroken!” the 79-year-old wrote.
Some beautiful words from Molly Meldrum on his friend “Livvyâ€. It’s a common theme today that many are not up for being interviewed about #OliviaNewtonJohn because they are simply too heartbroken 💔 pic.twitter.com/ddK4tuI15f
— Christie Cooper (@ChristieCooper7) August 9, 2022
“Livvy, as I call her, was one of those rare people who had a profound effect on the world and the people in it. Her purity was real, her passion for life was unwavering.
“A Grammy Award winning recording artist, an extraordinary wife, mother and humanitarian, Liv’s tireless work has changed millions of lives and her legacy will live on forever.”
He concluded: “To me, Liv is family. My heart is broken. There simply will never be another like her.”
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Her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, shared a series of photos with her mother in the wake of her death.
Three days ago, prior to her death, Lattanzi also shared a now-heartbreaking photo with her mum, calling the star her “best friend”.
Following news of her death, Lattanzi shared a number of sweet photos with her mum, including photos from her childhood.
Newton-John’s Grease co-star, John Travolta, led the tributes to the iconic singer and actress.
The Aussie star shot to worldwide fame in 1978 following her starring role as Sandy in the movie Grease.
Travolta, who played Sandy’s love interest Danny in the film, issued a heartfelt tribute to Newton-John on his Instagram, referencing their time together on the Grease set.
“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much,” he wrote, alongside a young photo of the actress.
“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!”
Fellow Aussie icon, Kylie Minogue, shared a black and white photo of her and Newton-John, revealing she has looked up to the star since she was a child.
“She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” Minogue wrote on Twitter.
Since I was ten years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John. And, I always will. (Just like this picture @nfsaonline) She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. x ONJ4EVER pic.twitter.com/3nE8PVDFLy
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) August 8, 2022
Nine’s entertainment editor, Richard Wilkins, has spoken about his close friendship with Newton-John and their relationship over the years.
“Nobody was prepared for this. Everybody knew it was coming and Olivia’s health had been declining in recent time, but it’s still such a great shock,” he told the Today show.
He said the actress was just “pure goodness”, noting you would never hear a bad word said about her.
“Olivia Newton-John was just a great person. She was always there for everybody,” he said.
Wilkins recalled how Newton-John would babysit his son Christian when he would go out, saying he “adored” her.
He recalled a funny memory of the star, noting how she would always stay at the same hotel when she came to Australia.
“She had the beautiful suite, right there at the top floor in front of the escalators. Not a super ritzy hotel,” he said.
“But she’d walk out of the suite and turn a hard left and walk.”
When Wilkins would ask where she was going Newton-John would reply, “We’re going to the escalator”.
“The escalator is straight. She had no sense of direction! She would wander off aimlessly!” he said.
Australian singer, Delta Goodrem, remembered Newton-John as her mentor, friend and inspiration.
In a heartfelt Twitter post, Goodrem said the Aussie star was like family to her.
Australian singer, Darren Hayes, said Newton-John “gave so much to this world” in a sweet Twitter tribute.
The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia’s unmatched light. A force for good. A force of nature. Strong and kind. My mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who always guided me… always there. Family to me…. I love you foreverâ¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/1P33J0NfB9
— Delta Goodrem (@DeltaGoodrem) August 8, 2022
Oh dear, sweet, magical, eternal Olivia. You gave so much to this world and to this little boy who saw acceptance in your twinkling eyes and glittering world. You made us all feel held by the sweetness of your voice and the capacity of your heart. I hope you are in Xanadu. pic.twitter.com/rCevXOR8rP
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) August 8, 2022
US singer and actress, Barbra Streisand said Newton-John was “too young to leave this world”.
“May she RIP,” she wrote alongside a photo of them together.
US actor and television host, Mario Lopez, also shared a photo of him and Newton-John to his Instagram.
“Today we lost an inspiring icon of the film and music industry, fly high Olivia Newton-John,” he wrote.
Star Trek actor, George Takei, took to Twitter to share his tribute to Newton-John, praising her as a “great, iconic artist”.
“I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth,” he wrote.
Former Australian politician, Joe Hockey, shared a photo of him and Newton-John to Twitter, saying he was “just devastated” by the news of her death.
“I’ve lost a mate and the world has lost an angel. RIP,” he wrote.
We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73. I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 8, 2022
Just devastated… I’ve lost a mate and the world has lost an angel. RIP #olivianewtonjohnpic.twitter.com/bj3seT0SEj
— Joe Hockey (@JoeHockey) August 8, 2022
British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart described Newton-John as “the perfect Lady”.
“Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my ‘Da ya think I’m Sexy‘ era,” he said.
Re-calling a time when they worked together, American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins said she was “the kindest performer and such a generous person”.
My great friend Olivia Newton John has passed away. She was the perfect Lady, gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie  sophistication.Â
— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) August 8, 2022
Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my ‘Da ya think I’m Sexy‘ era.
RIP Olivia
Sir Rod pic.twitter.com/Suleq8JSkX
Olivia was ever youthful. So was her sister, Rona, who wrote scripts to music.
— Sophie B. Hawkins (@therealsophieb) August 8, 2022
News of the British-born star’s death was confirmed by her husband, John Easterling, in a post to social media saying that Newton-John was a “symbol of triumphs and hope”.
Easterling said Newton-John “passed away peacefully” early on Monday morning US time surrounded by family and friends.
“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,” his statement read.
“In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.”
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