Didi Conn reveals why 'Grease' costar Olivia Newton-John sent an orchid plant after their LAST phone call
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In an exclusive interview with Page Six, Didi Conn, known for her role as Frenchy in the movie musical 'Grease,' revealed that she spoke with her co-star and dear friend Olivia Newton-John just weeks before her passing. Conn, 71, shared that she and Newton-John remained in frequent contact and were fast friends.
"We spoke like once a month or so," Conn said. "She was in the hospital at the time [we last spoke]. She had broken a leg and didn't even notice. Like, her bones were just cracking." Despite her battle with cancer, Newton-John showed concern for Conn's health when she learned that her friend had been ill. "She said, 'What?! Why didn't you tell me?'" Conn recalled. "And the next day, I got this beautiful orchid plant. And three days before she died, one of the orchid flowers fell down and my heart stopped. I said, 'I hope that's not a sign.'"
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Newton-John's battle with breast cancer
As previously reported, the beloved actress and cancer research advocate Newton-John passed away in August 2022 at the age of 73 after a long battle with breast cancer. Newton-John had been diagnosed with cancer three times, with the disease eventually progressing to stage 4. She passed away peacefully at her home in Southern California, surrounded by loved ones. In a statement on her Facebook page, her husband, John Easterling, asked for privacy for the family during this difficult time.
In the interview with Page Six, Didi Conn also shared her memories of Newton-John's cancer journey. "Chloe [her daughter] was very little," Conn recalled. "Her priorities about stardom and all of that just flipped to living, to being the best mom, being the best friend. And also being an advocate and a spokesperson for cancer and thriving, as she said, surviving but thriving. And that's really what she dedicated her life to - besides performing."
Olivia Newton-John was an inspiration to many for over three decades, sharing her journey with breast cancer and raising awareness for the disease. She was committed to plant medicine and founded the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, which aimed to research the intersection of plant medicine and cancer.
Lifelong friendship started on 'Grease' set
Conn and Newton-John's friendship started on the set of the iconic film 'Grease' and remained strong through the decades that followed. In an interview with 'Good Morning America,' Conn fondly recalled the first day of filming and how she helped calm Newton-John's nerves. "I thought, 'OK, I'll improvise with her, get her into the character,'" she said. "So I said, 'Oh, I'm so happy to have a friend from Australia, and you live right next door!' And she caught on ... The nerves were gone, and time passed with ease as the two became fast friends."
Their friendship continued to thrive, with Newton-John supporting Conn during her health struggles. "When I had my own health issues, she sent me an orchid plant," Conn revealed. "And even at the end of her life, we were still in touch." The bond between the two actresses was strong, and they stuck by each other through the highs and lows of life. The depth of their friendship was also evident during Conn's exclusive interview with Page Six, where she shared her memories of Newton-John's last days.