A Very ONJ Christmas
The high priestess of Xanadu-ness skates around Shaun Schikora's questions and fills us in on her shiny new Christmas album, healthy lifestyle and great wall walk!
DNA: Tell us about Christmas Wish, your new album.
Olivia Newton-John: The album is non-stop music with links going through and there are traditional songs and new songs. There are guest artists including Jon Secada, Michael McDonald and Barry Manilow.
You have a live DVD coming out, filmed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. How do you get over nerves with a gig like that?
Well, I think by singing, basically! I love to sing and I’m lucky as a performer that the songs I have from over the years are really good. I have wonderful songs from Grease, Xanadu and some country songs. In the last eight to 10 years I’ve become less nervous as a performer. Once I was too intent on perfection and couldn’t relax. Then I reached the obvious conclusion that nothing is perfect and I relaxed, enjoyed the performance and enjoyed the contact with the audience.
Do you have any personal favourites from those songs?
Falling, a song John Farrar wrote for me from the Physical album would be one of my favourites. I actually sang it at John’s son’s wedding. That was a really special moment for me.
Speaking of relaxing, have you been to Gaia, your retreat and spa in the hinterland of Byron Bay recently?
I actually just had a holiday, which, for me, is a new thing! Gaia is beautiful. It’s not a health place where you go to get fit. You can if you want to but it’s more based on how to replenish yourself spiritually and physically. We have organic food from our own garden. All the rooms are individual little houses. It’s a peaceful haven with great treatments and great food. I’m learning about balance. Every day I try and find time to meditate or take a walk out in nature. That’s my balance.
One of your goals is building the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
Yes, I was asked if they could build a cancer centre with my name and I said yes, if they created a wellness centre also. I believe we need to focus on the wellness aspect of healing, not just the treatments. I’ve been working on this for four years and we’re getting incredible funding. We’ve got 45 million from the government so far and now we need to raise another 30 million. Next April, I’m going to walk the Great Wall Of China with ex-Olympians, athletes, politicians and people from different walks of life to raise money for the hospital.
You’ll soon be reprising your role as Bitsy Mae in Sordid Lives (for US gay channel LOGO). Are you excited to be acting and singing on screen again?
Yeah. Actually, Amy Sky [producer) and I wrote five songs for Bitsy Mae and they’re going to be on the CD. They’re really fun because they’re country and a little cheeky. My role in the series has been expanded. This project’s got a good message about being accepted for who you are.
You’ve been campaigning for a greener environment for a long time. Do you feel like the rest of the world has caught up?
There’s been an incredible change in the last six months. People are creating awareness and that’s what creates change. People shouldn’t feel diminished by the fact that they can only do one thing. If we all do one thing, the purpose and the intent can change reality.
Have you had a chance to see the Broadway musical of Xanadu?
I went to the opening night. It was so funny! I really enjoyed it. The girl who played the lead [Kerry Butler) was so clever in the way she took me off. I really enjoyed the music… the whole thing. I also have great memories of making the film: working with Gene Kelly, I met my husband [Matt Lattanzi) on that movie and through my marriage had my daughter, Chloe. So that’s a big thing!
Would you be interested in being in a mainstream theatre musical?
I’ve been offered quite a few Broadway musicals but now isn’t the time in my life where I want to be working that much… I want to slow down! It’s very nice to be asked but I want to take more time for myself.
Do you think the media these days is too hard on performers?
I hate what they’re doing to these young girls. I feel so bad for them. Their whole lives are played out in front of the world and it’s no one’s business, you know? They think it’s selling papers - I don’t know if it really does. Do we want to read this stuff or is it just in front of us and we can’t ignore it? These young girls are under such incredible pressure and scrutiny that they’re acting out like most teenagers do.