Olivia Newton-John will thrill Colombo with an array of her most popular songs on 4 and 5 April at the Musaeus Auditorium. Here’s a closer look at the star who would warm anyone’s heart!
1) What can we expect from your performance this time around?
I am really excited about coming to Sri Lanka. This concert will be a musical journey through my career starting with my country hits, and of course include songs from Grease and Xanadu and Physical too! I will also sing some new songs from my healing CD, "Grace and Gratitude: Renewed" and, from my new movie, "A Few Best Men."
2) Over the years, you have had quite a number of accolades, winning numerous awards including 4 Grammy awards and you were also awarded an O.B.E from Queen Elizabeth. For an artiste who has been there and done that, are there any particular goals that you would like to achieve, and what is your proudest professional achievement?
Becoming a mother (to my daughter Chloe) was my greatest personal achievement. As for professionally I have been so very lucky to have so many. Of course being a part of Grease changed my life but, I guess singing at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics in 2000 was probably one of my favourite professional experiences!
3) Grease came out in the late 70s but the songs are still popular today. Why do you think the movie and the tunes have remained so popular?
I think the movie is timeless because it is the classic boy meets girl love story - and the music is fantastic! Whenever you have really great songs and music that can stand the test of time I think you have a winner. I love when I see young boys and girls at my concerts with their parents (and grandparents) singing along to the Grease songs. It seems every year a new generation discovers the film and I am blessed to have been a part of it!
4) What was it like being on Glee? How different is it compared to Grease?
Glee was so much fun. The cast is so talented and, Ryan Murphy, the creator, had a great idea of recreating the Physical music video but this time with me and Jane Lynch. We had such fun on the set that day! I think Glee is very much like Grease - everyone loves high school shows with great music!
5) What was the inspiration for your album Grace and Gratitude Renewed?
Grace and Gratitude Renewed was named and inspired by my appreciation of this incredible gift of life I have been blessed with! The songs were written and recorded to help the listener take time out of their busy life for relaxation or meditation.
As a long-term cancer survivor, I have learned how important it is to take care of both my physical and emotional health. In my recovery, I became even more aware of the power of music. It can heal the body, calm the mind and lift the spirit; but above all, it can connect us to our hearts. Research has shown that music can lower stress hormones, slow down brain waves and actually boost the body’s own healing processes. This realization inspired me and my dear friend, producer and co-writer, Amy Sky, to write songs based on these sacred truths.
In trying to honour a range of belief systems, we have included chants from Tibet and Japan, words and prayers from Judaism and Islam, a Latin benediction from the Catholic mass and a poem attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.
I believe that all human beings are connected, like pearls on a chain. We have in common, the search for peace, love and compassion. It is my hope that we can accept and respect each other’s traditions, no matter what our personal beliefs.
6) You have a movie coming out - A Few Best Men. What is it about?
A Few Best Men is a fun and crazy farce that I hope gives everyone a great laugh. I play the mother-of-the-bride in the comedy who starts off as a very proper wife of a politician; after many crazy things that happen at the wedding, I slowly let my hair down and get a little wild. It is a very different role for me but it was so much fun to play that character! It opened in Australia to great reviews and is now being released all over the world. I hope my fans will get the chance to see it! It's so much fun!
7) Do you have anything else coming up?
In addition to my world concert tour, I have a cookbook, "LivWise: Easy Recipes for a Healthy, Happy Life" that I am promoting and, I am a firm believer in breast self-examination and early detection to help women take control of their own health.
After nearly ten years of fundraising and building, I am very proud that the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia, will open in June 2012! That is going to be a very special day for me!
8) You don't look a day more than 40, and you are a cancer survivor. How do you manage to look so young?
Thank you. This year marks the 20th Anniversary since my diagnosis and I am happy to say I am a cancer "thriver"!
As for looking young, thank you! I credit that to my mum and great genes, and, I take my husband's ("Amazon John" Easterling) herbs and use his fantastic rainforest skin care line, Amazon Rain. The Camu C Serum is my favourite skin care product from his company (www.AmazonHerb.com) - sometimes I joke with him that I married him for his skin care products!
8) Many women say that you are their inspiration, but who do you look up to?
That is very kind. I am very happy that I have been able to help even just one woman! My biggest inspiration for sure had to be my mother, Irene. She gave me a wonderful sense of appreciation for all living things and, to see the beauty in everything! She was a wonderful woman!
Olivia Newton-John Live in Colombo is presented by Wizard Entertainment.
Principal Sponsors are Sri Lanka Telecom and Mercedes Benz from Dimo. Singer is a Gold Sponsor. The shows partners are Hilton Colombo, Wijeya Newspapers and Real Radio.
Box office opened on Thursday 22 March at Crescat Shopping Centre from 10am – 6pm daily.
0 Comments
Nishamani says:
Mar 30, 2012 at 08:52 amShe is still so beautiful
Amanda De Silva says:
Apr 04, 2012 at 06:09 amI love her so much, Grease will always be my favourite musical :)