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Olivia Newton-John 'visited by spirits' of Karen Carpenter and John Denver during cancer battle

The 'Grease' actress, who died on Monday from cancer at age 73, revealed she was visited by the ghosts of friends and family who had died
PUBLISHED AUG 9, 2022
(L-R) Karen Carpenter, Olivia Newton-John and John Denver (Scott Barbour, Stephen Dunn/Allsport, Roger Jackson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
(L-R) Karen Carpenter, Olivia Newton-John and John Denver (Scott Barbour, Stephen Dunn/Allsport, Roger Jackson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Olivia Newton-John said she was visited by several "spirit guides" from among her dead freinds and family who gave her strength through her most challenging times.

The 'Grease' actress, who died on Monday, August 8, from cancer at age 73, had revealed she was visited by the ghosts of friends and family who had died. Writing in her 2018 book 'Don't Stop Believin'', Newton-John said her spiritual guides included Karen Carpenter and John Denver. The actress, who played Sandy in the hit 70s musical, said the ghosts of her deceased famous friends "hovered" around her and gave her support whenever she performed.

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Newton-John, who was also an accomplished singer-songwriter, said that both Carpenter -- the Carpenters singer who died in 1983 -- and Denver, the country music legend who died in 1997, were with her on stage every time she performed.

01-30-97 Pebble Beach, Ca. John Denver T-ing off at the pro am golf championships.
01-30-97 Pebble Beach, Ca. John Denver T-ing off at the pro-am golf championships. (Getty Images)

"I often feel as if they hover around me when I perform," she wrote of the spirits in 'Don't Stop Believin'. "They are my spirit guides who I ask to support me before every show and they keep me strong. They're gone, but their love never dies."

Olivia Newton-John performs during Fire Fight Australia at ANZ Stadium on February 16, 2020 in Sydney, Australia.
Olivia Newton-John performs during Fire Fight Australia at ANZ Stadium on February 16, 2020, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cole Bennetts/Getty Images)

Denver died in a plane crash in 1997, and Carpenter, a good friend of Newton-John's, died in 1983 after suffering heart failure stemming from an eating disorder. The actress was reportedly supposed to have lunch with the singer the day after she died and learned about her passing on the radio. "It was as if the sky fell to Earth," Newton-John said of hearing about her death. "My stomach hit the ground."

People Disc - HC0270
American pop singer Karen Carpenter (1950 - 1983), of brother and sister duo The Carpenters, in performance at the Royal Festival Hall, London. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)

Aside from Denver and Carpenter, Newton-John said she had also been visited by the spirit of her goddaughter, who died at the tender age of 5. "She has been with me ever since, along with my parents, my sister, and close friends who have passed away," the actress wrote of Colette Chuda's death. She recalled that her "hands were asking" when she learned about Colette's demise just moments before taking the stage. "How could we live without Colette? My emotions were completely out of control," she wrote. "My emotions were completely out of control. I didn't know how I would sing I Honestly Love You without falling to my knees and weeping in front of the audience."

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Newton-John knew the tragic news would ruin her performance, and so she sought help from Colette's spirit. "'Colette,' I said out loud. 'I know you're with me. Please show me you're here so I have the strength to walk out on that stage and sing,'" she remembered saying. "In the next moment, I felt what can best be described as a rush of cool air. It was like a caress, as if something had lovingly brushed up against my face ... it felt like a wing, and it was so very real. It was as if she was telling me that it was okay. To go on... I didn't break down onstage because I knew that little angel was with me," she added.

British-Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, UK, 18th September 1974.  (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
British-Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, UK, 18th September 1974. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Newton-John was surrounded by friends and family when she peacefully died on Monday at age 73, RadarOnline reported.

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