Defiant Facts About Olivia Newton-John, The Surprising Songstress
In the 1980 musical Grease, Olivia Newton-John’s character Sandy went from nerdy cardigan wearer to a leather-clad seductress. In a strange twist of fate, her life followed the same trajectory. Newton-John went from being the singer that most people’s parents like to listen to, to getting banned in Utah. It makes you wonder: Are there two Olivia Newton-Johns?
Let’s dive into the facts and draw our own conclusions.
1. She’s Not What You Think
On the surface, Olivia Newton-John seems like the quintessential sun-loving Australian, but she actually has a surprisingly dark history. One of her grandfathers was actually a Jewish Nobel Prize winner who had to flee Germany to avoid the terrors of the Third Reich. Her father was impressive too. He helped break the German code during WWII.
One thing's for sure, Olivia's infectious smile hides more demons than she lets on—and her family's backstory is just the tip of the iceberg.
2. She Started Early
Olivia's family moved to Australia when she was five years old, and she knew early on that music was her destiny. By the age of 14, she was already eager to get the ball rolling on a music career. She formed a girl group, did many TV appearances, and in 1965, won a TV music contest. In fact, the contest's prize was a trip to the UK. However, there was only one problem.
3. She Didn't Want To Leave
Despite snagging this huge opportunity, Olivia did not want to travel to the UK. Her outright reluctance baffled her mother who wanted her daughter to spread her wings and see the world. Finally, Olivia gave in—but she wasn't happy about it. After arriving in Britain and recording her first single, she was still miserable. Turns out, she'd left something precious behind.
4. She Missed Her Boyfriend
Olivia Newton-John's melancholy came down to matters of the heart. She had a boyfriend back in Australia, and she missed him terribly. It got so bad that she actually purchased a ticket home just so she could see him. When her mom got wind of her daughter’s plan to return home just for a boy, she was livid. She thought Olivia was wasting a valuable experience, so she did something terrible.
