Olivia Newton-John memorial: Elton John, P!nk, Mariah Carey to speak at service

Some of the biggest names in music will appear at the memorial for Olivia Newton-John, and they’ll share special moments of their time with the Aussie superstar. See who they are.

Exclusive: Music royalty Elton John, P!nk and Mariah Carey will share their memories of Olivia Newton-John at her memorial service in Melbourne.

News Corp can reveal the superstars have recorded video messages for the iconic Australian singer, who died in August last year after a long cancer battle.

The service at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall at 4pm on Sunday will be a “celebration of life” for the 73-year-old who became a household name around the world after starring alongside John Travolta in Grease in the 1970s.

“Olivia Newton John to me was someone who I always look forward to seeing – she was such a wonderful force of nature,” Elton John will tell the memorial.

Mariah Carey will say she grew up adoring Newton-John.

Elton John has recorded a message for Olivia Newton-John’s memorial service.

“Grease was probably the first movie I ever saw. And then I got to meet her later and we performed together.”

P!nk said Newton-John was “an absolute angel’.

“She was one of the kindest, most present, just light-filled beings walking around this earth.”

Meanwhile, Newton-John’s widower John Easterling revealed how fitting the location was for the state memorial service. One of her dying wishes, he said, was to be farewelled in the city she moved to with her family at age five.

While she didn’t speak much about what would happen after her death, he said he knew she wanted one last connection with Australians.

P!nk performs onstage during the 2022 American Music Awards with an image of Newton-John in the background.

“It’s not something we talked a lot about (but) she did know that she would like to have something in Australia as a special exchange at the end,” Mr Easterling said.

He also revealed the passionate medical campaigner was determined The Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Heidelberg — established in 2012 to champion cancer research and awareness — would be part of her legacy.

“That was her intention. She really cared for people and wanted to see people healthy and happy – it’s that simple. She wanted to find a way where she could do her part and make that happen. And she did,” he said.

Mariah Carey was a fan of Newton-John ever since she saw her in Grease. Picture: Getty

“She’s kind of lent her name to that institution. It’s a premier facility that’s recognised as one of the great research centres in the world with the Wellness Center pioneering some protocols there. It’s a stellar facility.”

Mr Easterling said Newton-John was also hopeful her Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund in the US — fundraising for different treatments and therapies, such as plant-based medicine, to cure cancer — would continue long after she was gone.

“There’s some very encouraging things that are happening there,” he said.

Mr Easterling said he had been looking forward to returning to Australia “and seeing a lot of folks that I haven’t seen in a little while”.

His message to Australians was Newton-John genuinely cared.

“She really cared. I mean, that was the bottom line. She was full of love and always, with her joyful healing spirit she was always moving things into that space of love and light. That’s where she resides.”

Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi and Olivia’s husband John Easterling, ahead of her memorial on Sunday. Picture : Nicki Connolly

Mr Easterling, who confessed he would share stories at Sunday’s memorial about his beloved wife that fans won’t have heard before, thinks many would be surprised “on many levels” by her “great intellect” despite her decades in the public eye.

“She was also totally funny. Her sense of humour was really off the charts. She liked to see people having a good time. And when she entered the room everything just went up a notch,” he said.

Newton-John first developed breast cancer in 1992 and spent 25 years in remission before the disease returned in 2017 and spread.

“It’s extraordinary and surprising that [she had] a good life and outcome in a lot of those regards, but of course, when the event happens it’s of course it’s always a shock,” he said.

While devastated at his loss, Mr Easterling has been gaining strength from the times they shared right up until Newton-John passed away.

“When that time comes, it’s all about sharing, being joyful and being happy,” he said.

To watch the memorial, go to www.vic.gov.au/state-service-dame-olivia-newton-john-ac-dbe

Originally published as Olivia Newton-John memorial: Elton John, P!nk, Mariah Carey to speak at service