Olivia Newton John’s daughter struggled to hold back tears as she paid tribute
Olivia Newton John’s only child Chloe Lattanzi was assisted by her husband as she walked up onto the stage and left some words for her late mother. She said: “I stand here before you so desperately I want to feel strong and confident and speak eloquently, but the truth is I feel like a little girl lost without her mother. She was my safe space, my guide, my biggest fan and the Earth beneath my feet. I know she is here standing beside me and within me. I can hear her voice. I love laughing with my mum. We shared the same cackle. She didn’t tell dirty jokes but she laughed the hardest at them.”
Olivia Newton-John died at the age of 73 in August following a decades-long battle with cancer.
Six months on a memorial service has been held for the Grease legend, with many Hollywood stars paying tribute to the late actress.
Her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, was supported by her husband as she took to the stage to remember her late mother, admitting she feels like a “little girl” without her.
Olivia’s husband Josh Easterling also took to the stage to remember his “magical” late wife, as he tries to “carry Olivia’s presence” with him.
Hollywood stars including Nicole Kidman, Elton John, Dolly Parton and Mariah Carey were among those who appeared via video link to remember the actress.
Olivia Newton John’s daughter shared fond memories of time with her mother
Olivia Newton John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi said her mother was the “perfect example of a life truly lived”. She continued in her heartfelt speech: “My mum could find the beauty in everything. I loved our snuggles. I would crawl into bed with her late at night even until I was 20 years old. I loved the way she smelled. Nothing felt safer to me. I loved writing music and singing with her and how she would always notice if I was slightly off-key. I loved how she loved fully and completely. And I know that she would want me to tell each of you how grateful she was for each individual’s special relationship.”
Olivia Newton John’s husband John Easterling shared a love poem
Oliva Newton John’s husband John Easterling took to the stage to pay tribute to his late wife with a love poem. He spoke of the ‘supernatural’ love the couple shared, and the first moment he recognised her incredible talent. He said: “You have to understand I wasn’t an Olivia fan, I didn’t know any Olivia music, I hadn’t even seen Grease and this was a small, intimate theatre in Miami and the lights went down and I heard Peruvian flutes and she started singing Pearls on a Chain. And there was healing in the audience, people around me were crying. I got it. It hit me like a laser beam in the chest that Olivia was a healer and this is one of her mediums of healing.”
Olivia Newton John’s husband remembered his supernatural wife
Olivia Newton John’s husband John Easterling continued: “Every day with Olivia was supernatural. Every day with Olivia was a bit of magic. I carry and feel Olivia’s presence, her sense of humour and spirit of adventure, and the commonality of purpose we shared, and that gives me the strength to carry on until I find her again in that ultimate space of love and light. At Olivia’s deepest essence, she was a healer, using her mediums of song, the words of touch. She was the most courageous woman I’ve ever met. At her most difficult times, she always had the spirit, the humour and the willpower to move things into the light. And as her spirit soars, the pain in my heart is healed by the joy of her love and that love that shines forward.”
Dolly Parton appeared via video link to pay tribute to the “greatest talent”
Dolly Parton said via video link about Olivia Newton-John: “The world lost one of its greatest talents when Olivia left us. I know it’s especially painful for all the folks there in Australia since she is one of your own. As a country, you should be very proud and know that the whole world mourns with you. Now, I had the honour of singing with her several times. I consider her a great friend as well as a fellow entertainer. Olivia, to quote one of your songs, I honestly love you. And thank you for shining your light on us.”
Mariah Carey called herself a “friend and a fan” of Olivia Newton-John
Mariah Carey said via video link of Olivia Newton-John: “I just want to give thanks for a moment here. She really affected my life. As a little girl, I loved her so much growing up. Grease was probably the first movie I ever saw. And then I got to meet her later and we performed together. I looked up to her so much and I loved her songs. When I got to meet her she was just as nice as she was a star and talented, and I know she went through so much. I just want to salute her humanitarian work and say that not everybody does that. We love you, we love you, Olivia Newton-John.”
Elton John remembered the “wonderful force” of nature, Olivia Newton-John
Elton John said of Olivia Newton-John: “She was such a wonderful force of nature but she was funny, she was kind, she was warm and she was talented and every time we got together we laughed and laughed and laughed. Throughout her career I watched her grow and grow and grow to be the artist she became. I was able to participate in television shows and go to the Grease party in New York City at Studio 54, which was a hoot and we always had the best time. The ONJ centre in Melbourne is a testament to what she did for so many millions of people. She fought her disease with the most incredible courage and bravery which stays with me forever. She was never down, she was always optimistic, she was fun, she was beautiful, and she was kind. That kind of person doesn’t come along very often, so we should treasure her memory and never forget what she gave the world.”
Nicole Kidman recalled seeing Grease as a child in a moving tribute
Nicole Kidman said of Olivia Newton-John: “She was just a light in this world, which I think all of us feel and I grew up with her, listening to her. I would perform her songs at school when I first saw ‘Grease’ I was like ‘I want to be Olivia Newton-John.’ So to be able to pay tribute to her tonight is incredibly important to all of us. We all send you our love, Livvie.”
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