Olivia Newton-Johntragicallypassed away at the age of 73after a long, 30 year battle withbreast cancer.
The news was broken by the actress’ husbandJohn Easterlingvia her official Facebook page and other social media pages on Monday 8 Aug who said she “passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California.”
As a victim of the cruel disease, Olivia spent many years campaigning for breast cancer research, though she first gained fame when she starred in Grease.
Olivia played Sandy Olsson in the hit musical oppositeJohn Travolta’s Danny Zuko that propelled the pair to stardom in 1978.
The chemistry between the pair had many wondering if they would date in real life.
When the hit film turned 40 years old in 2018, Olivia spoke toMammaMia No Filterabout the reason why she never dated John, 68.
She said although the pair had chemistry, they were both dating other people at the time.
Speaking on the podcast, she said: "We were both with other people when we were filming and I think, respectfully, it just didn’t happen."
Olivia insisted that their performances were better thanks to the fact they weren't dating, as it created a tension on set that translated well into the finished film.
"I think it was good, because I think it kept the tension there and the chemistry. It might have been a real disaster had we decided to date or we had a falling out or something. So I think it was just as well that it didn’t happen. But we’re still great friends."
The duo reunited for a special anniversary screening of Grease and a Q&A session and Olivia revealed she almost turned down her iconic role.
She said: "I really wasn't sure I wanted to do the movie because I'd made a movie before in England, which was a musical, and it didn't work, so I was very frightened about doing a movie."
But ultimately John knew she was the best option for the part and managed to convince her to step into Sandy's shoes.
"If you were a young man in the '70s, and I'm sure many of you were, out there, if you remember that album cover of Olivia with that blue shirt on, with those big blue eyes staring right at you, every boy's, every man's dream was, 'Oh, I'd love for that girl to be my girlfriend," he explained.
He added: "So when I had the privilege to have input on the casting, I said, 'There is no other person in the universe other than Olivia Newton-John to play Sandy. You must cast her.' So I held tight, didn't I, and I got my way."
After the news of her death broke,John paid tribute to Olivia in a heartfelt post.
Posting a photo of Olivia when she was younger, the actor penned: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever!
"Your Danny, your John!"
READ MORE:
Breast cancer symptoms and how to check yourself as Olivia Newton-John dies from cruel disease
Olivia Newton-John shared loving picture with husband in final post days before death
Olivia Newton-John dead: Grease star dies 'peacefully' aged 73
John Travolta leads tributes to Olivia Newton-John as Grease star dies aged 73
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