'Miss Goody Two-Shoes from England': How Olivia Newton-John embraced 'risque' and wowed Australia
SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA: 'Grease' star Olivia Newton-John, one of the biggest pop stars of the '70s, died on Monday, August 8, 2022, aged 73. "Dame Olivia Newton-John, 73, passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time," her husband John Easterling wrote in a statement on the singer's Instagram account.
"Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation," he added. "Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall." No official cause of death has been released.
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Newton-John was a soft-spoken Melbourne teenager, and known as 'Miss Goody Two-Shoes from England'. She was set on a path to stardom after appearing on a TV talent show that impressed Australia. She got her first break when she was only 15, winning the Sitmar Talent Quest on Channel Seven's popular Sing Sing Sing show. The show was hosted by Johnny O'Keefe at the time, in April 1964. Newton-John won the top prize of a trip to the UK after performing the songs 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' and 'Everything's Coming Up Roses'.
In May 1965, Newton-John was the opening act on an episode of Boomeride, which was a new live music show on Channel Nine. This is where she sang a risque song she was asked to sing, the lyrics of which said that although she was "16 now ... One of these days, when I grow up, I'm gonna make love to you." Known for her 'Miss Goody Two-Shoes' reputation, her performance was totally in opposition to her innocent looks.
Besides her career in music, Newton-John was cast in the 1978 film 'Grease'. The star was initially unsure whether she was fit for the role of Sandy Olsson because she was 28 and was asked to play a 17-year-old. However, she played the role and also demanded and earned equal billing with co-star John Travolta. The film and its soundtrack were widely appreciated and made Newton-John a huge star.