John Travolta says he’s ‘very proud’ of Olivia Newton-John amid her battle with stage 4 cancer
John Travolta had nothing but praise for his 'Grease' co-star Olivia Newton-John, who is currently in the midst of a taxing battle with Stage IV cancer.
Travolta, 65, could not stop gushing about Newton-John when he was asked about his longtime friend as he walked the red carpet for the premiere of his new film 'The Fanatic' at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday, August 22.
"She looks incredible," Travolta exclaimed to Entertainment Tonight. "She doesn't look any different than [she did] years ago, and I'm very proud of her."
"I'm very happy about Olivia," he added with a smile.
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in July 1992, when doctors discovered a malignant tumor in her right breast. She recovered and became an advocate for breast cancer research and other health issues, and went on to funds to build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne.
But tragedy struck once again in 2017. Following an initial misdiagnosis of sciatica, she announced on May 2017 that her cancer had returned and metastasized to her lower back.
She subsequently revealed that it was her third, not second, bout with cancer and that she had privately battled the disease in 2013. Later the same year, it was reported that her cancer had progressed to Stage IV and spread to her bones.
Now 70, the four-time Grammy winner and actress sat down with 60 Minutes Australia for an emotional interview that aired last month where she detailed how her cancer was more aggressive than ever but that she wouldn't let it impact how she lived her life.
"I'm so lucky that I've been through this three times and I'm still here," she said.
"We know we're gonna die at some point, and we don't know when it is. When you're given a cancer diagnosis or a scary honest diagnosis, you're suddenly given a possibility of a time limit."
"Every day is a gift, we don't really know how long our life is," she continued. "I'm very grateful, and I intend to be here for a long time. I have much to do still."
She also shared an update of her health with Entertainment Tonight last week.
"I just want everyone to know, I'm here, I'm doing great," she said. "I'm doing really well and I'm really healthy."
"It was a challenging year because I broke my sacrum and I had to learn to walk again and everything," she added. "But I am strong and I am back and I'm feeling good and loving every minute."