Confessions of an Olivia Newton-John fanatic
I don’t know how to say this without coming across like a crazy fan, so I’ll just say it.
I love Olivia Newton-John’s show at the Flamingo. I’ve always loved her. Her voice is incredible. Her stage persona is fun and easy. And she seems like a very nice person.
I met her at a garden party a few months ago, and I could see in her eyes she recognized a fawning fanatic when she saw one. She smiled and said hi. I gushed and trotted off.
Fortunately, she agreed to today’s follow-up Q&A.
Q: I’ve seen all these Vegas pictures of you, like you at the Ferris wheel.
A: Oh yeah. I don’t like heights, so I was scared of it, but it was beautiful.
Q: I haven’t been on it yet. I’ve been on the one in Paris.
A: Anything in Paris is amazing.
Q: Yeah, seriously. Sometimes, when I can’t get out of town, I just go to the Paris hotel and pretend.
A: That’s a good thing about here. You can go anywhere without going anywhere.
Q: You have a portion of your tickets going to your cancer organization, right?
A: Yeah, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia (oliviaappeal.com). A portion of every ticket is going to the wellness program, which supports patients going through cancer treatment. We have acupuncture, and massage, and meditation, and yoga classes, and group therapy and nutrition classes. Everything you can imagine. It’s not just breast cancer, as some people think. It’s a fully integrated cancer wellness center. It’s really helping people.
Q: How did you decide that’s what you wanted to put your money into?
A: I had this cancer in ’92. I have an understanding of it. I have a compassion for the patients. It was really important for me to create the wellness aspect, and encourage them to use other ideologies to help people through. It’s been a passion of mine. We fundraised for 10 years. It’s been finally opened the last two years. It’s been a wonderful success, and a great thing to support.
Q: I imagine that’s one of the things you feel best about with your career. I know it’s cliche to say, “Giving back is real,” but the older I get, the more I feel it.
A: It is a cliche. But it’s a natural progression in life. When you’ve been as fortunate as I have, and you’ve been given so much, it’s a lovely feeling to be able to do that.
Q: So you probably saw the news Celine Dion is taking time off. Are you trying to take up some of the dates in Caesars Colosseum?
A: It’s too big a room for me. But I feel for her. I understand exactly what they’re going through. I send my love, and support, and prayers to her and her husband.
Q: I’ve never heard one bad word about Celine.
A: Yeah, she’s lovely. Such a beautiful voice.
Q: I’ve heard from behind-the-scenes people they love working with you.
A: So the pay-offs are working!
Q: What do you make of the people wearing “Physical” headbands, and the “Grease” outfits, to your shows?
A: It’s very flattering. I think it’s hilarious. I think they’re selling stuff like that in the gift shop too, so I’m very happy, ha-ha.
Q: How does your husband like it here?
A: He’s enjoying it. I really appreciate him being here. It makes it lovely.
Q: You saw yourself in 3D wax at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. When you see yourself in three dimensions, do you see anything different?
A: It’s very strange. I saw some things that were creepy looking — and real-to-life! I was flattered. And as long as they don’t leave me out in the heat, I’ll be here for a while. It cost $300,000 (to create her wax likeness). I said, “Gosh, she’s more valuable than me.”
(Hardly. Olivia Newton-John is priceless, I tell you, priceless!)
Doug Elfman’s column appears on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Email him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/entertainment/reel.
