It's not hard to relate Olivia Newton-John of today to Sandy Olsson of 1978. The same fragile and wide-eyed beauty that yearns after Danny Zuko in Grease still resonates today in Newton-John. To say she's aged well would be an understatement.
At 63, Newton-John has traded in the "Sandy at Rydell's fair" look _ teased hair, off-shoulder top, high-waist, skin-tight black vinyl pants and red-hot pumps _ for a long, silken dress with a cardigan casually thrown over.
Fresh from rehearsals before her Bangkok gig last Friday, the British-Australian star who now resides in the US granted Life a few minutes to chat with her. Understandably, Newton-John appeared a little tired _ no doubt the result of travelling and the time difference. She spoke with a soft voice and emitted little laughs at intervals, with a constant smile plastered across her face.
Not only known and adored as Sandy from Grease, possibly the best-loved musical film of all time, Newton-John is also a successful singer with a string of hits, the co-owner of a spa retreat in Australia, and a famed philanthropist, especially in the field of cancer after surviving breast cancer herself.
We've heard that this is your first time in Bangkok. What's your first impression?
We arrived at night, and I've been in my hotel room the whole time sleeping since we got here. My first impression was actually beauty. When I woke up in the morning, I opened my curtains, and there were beautiful rain forest trees outside of my windows. I love nature, so I liked it right away. And the people are very friendly. Very sweet.
You don't seem to be doing a lot of tours these days. How do you choose your projects?
I've just finished a tour in Australia about two weeks ago. I did about seven shows down there. I don't do big blocks anymore. Things get offered to me and we put them together in tight, tight groups so I don't have to be away too long.
What is the hardest thing about being on tour?
The travel and the time change.
You've done many things from acting to singing. What is your favourite?
Singing is my heart. It's the thing that comes most naturally to me. I get a lot of pleasure from it. Acting is fun. It's different. It's a challenge and I always enjoy it. But I don't do a lot of it. Maybe, once every few years.
You must get asked about Grease all the time. Do you get tired of it?
No, I mean I understand because it's very popular. But it's a very long, long time ago. It was an amazing experience.
Why do you think Grease transcends time, and people are still watching it generation after generation?
Because it's fun and the music is catchy.
What do you think of all the stage productions of Grease?
I've seen quite a few in many different languages. It works no matter what because people are the same all over the world.
You and your song, Physical, were featured on Glee. Do you think it has brought you a new and younger audience?
It probably did. But I've been working. I've never really stopped.
What keeps you going then?
I enjoy it, and I'm grateful that people still come to the shows. I still get opportunities all the time to do things. It won't last forever, but while it lasts, I'm enjoying it.
How do you keep up your physical health?
My husband has a herb company, so I take his herbs. That keeps me healthy and strong. I've been travelling a lot lately, but I have a lot of energy.
As a cancer survivor, do you have any advice for those who are going through the same thing?
With cancer, you have to keep a positive energy. As difficult as it is, it helps with your recovery and it helps your cells.
Let's talk about your charity work.
I'm opening a new hospital in June in Australia. It's called the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. It's taken 10 years of fund raising. We're opening the first section this year, and the next, next year.
The centre is for treatments only?
It's everything. It's got eight floors. If you go online, you'll see.
You shot a film last year, please tell us a little about it.
It's called A Few Best Men, and I play the mother of the bride _ kind of a crazy one.
I go a little crazy. It's funny.
Any other upcoming projects?
I have a cookbook coming out, and the money from that will go to the hospital. It's a fund-raising project. It's a healthy cookbook, but tasty. I have recipes from my spa, and I talk about food.
