Stars are mourning beloved "Grease" actor Olivia Newton-John following news of her death [1]. On 8 August, Newton-John's family confirmed via Facebook [2] that she died that morning at her home in Southern California from her battle with breast cancer. She was 73 years old.
Newton-John found stardom with the 1978 musical, which she starred in alongside John Travolta [3], as well as with music thanks to her 1981 smash "Physical" — which Billboard [4] previously listed as the No. 1 single of the decade.
In the wake of Newton-John's death, celebrities used social media to offer their condolences and share fond memories of her, including Travolta who posted a loving tribute to his "Grease" costar on Instagram [5]. "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better," he wrote. "Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again." George Takei tweeted [6]: "We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73."
Ahead, see how stars are paying their respects to Newton-John.
John Travolta
The "Grease" actor paid tribute to his costar in an Instagram post [8] captioned, "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!"
Kylie Minogue
In an Instagram post, "Spinning Around" singer and fellow Australian icon Kylie Minogue [9] shared her admiration for Newton-John. Beside a photo of the pair from 1988 [10] at the Royal Bicentennial Concert, the 54-year-old songwriter and actress wrote: "Since I was ten years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John. And, I always will. (Just like this picture @nfsaonline) She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. x ONJ4EVER @therealonj"
Peter Andre
Peter Andre, who is currently playing DJ Vince Fontaine in the UK's West End Tour of "Grease", shared two tributes to Newton-John. On Instagram, he wrote: "This has made me really really sad. I have had the privilege of meeting the incredible Olivia a few times and even worked with her on a special Spina Bifida concert in Australia. She was lovely in every way. Always lit up the room. Thoughts with her family. RIP…. 💔 💔💔 Grease will feel very different for us now." Next to a throwback photo [11] of Andre with the late actress backstage at the Spina Bifida charity concert, the "Mysterious Girl" singer said Newton-John was a "warm, kind and giving person".
Piers Morgan
Broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan, who had the honour of meeting Newton-John three years ago, was also saddened by the news. On Twitter [12], he wrote: "So sad to hear the fabulously gutsy, warm & talented Olivia Newton-John has died. At an auction of her Grease memorabilia in LA three years ago, she told me her favourite song from the movie was Hopelessly Devoted To You. Great song, great film, great lady. RIP."
Delta Goodrem
Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem was lucky enough to call Newton-John her "mentor". Sharing two intimate photos of her besides her idol, the 37-year-old wrote on Instagram [13]: "The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia's unmatched light. A force for good. A force of nature. Strong and kind. my mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who always guided me… she was always there for me. Family to me. I don't have all the words I would like to say today but I hope everyone will join in celebrating our beloved Olivia, her heart, soul, talent, courage, grace…I love you forever ❤️"
Oprah Winfrey
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey [14] has taken to Twitter to reminisce about an impromptu dinner she had with the "Grease" star back in 2019. Sharing a photo of the "spontaneous" evening, she said: "In 2019, Olivia-Newton-John had just finished an interview with Gayle where Olivia told Gayle she didn't let her cancer diagnosis consume her life. She was just living with a positive outlook. Afterwards, they came over for a great spontaneous dinner at my house and her positivity was just infectious. You'll be missed, Olivia. Here's to the good times".
Julianne Hough
American triple threat Julianne Hough, who played Sandy in the live Fox version of "Grease", says Newton-John has always been her "hero". Beside a slideshow of photographs [15] of the pair together and solo, Hough wrote: "Discovering her magnetic energy as an artist and actress came first but it was her heart that truly captured mine.
Forever an icon and legend!" The "Burlesque" actress aso shared a clip [16] of her singing "Hopelessly Devoted To You", saying she's "forever honoured to have been able to sing this song".
Mariah Carey
Singer Mariah Carey [17] shared a message for Newton-John on Instagram, saying: "Olivia, I honestly love you". The star's emotional note [18] read: "I first fell in love with Olivia's voice when I was a little girl and heard "I Honestly Love You." Songs like "Magic," "Suddenly" and "Have You Never Been Mellow" showcased her beautiful airy tone and signature sound. And THEN there was GREASE. I was obsessed. I dressed up as Bad Sandy for Halloween [19] in 5th grade and thought I was everything. Years later, THE one and only Olivia Newton-John actually walked out onto my stage in Melbourne, Australia and we sang our hearts out together to "Hopelessly Devoted To You." This is a moment I will never ever forget. I was also blessed to be in her presence on many other occasions and she was one of the kindest, most generous and lovely people I've ever met. She will be missed. She will be remembered. She will be loved."
Rod Stewart
Rock icon Rod Stewart credits Newton-John and her spandex trousers in "Grease" as his inspiration for his "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" era. The British star wrote on Twitter: "My great friend Olivia Newton John has passed away. She was the perfect Lady, gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie sophistication . . . RIP Olivia. Sir Rod."
Gabrielle Union
"'Grease' is my #1 movie of all time and made me a lifelong Olivia Newton John fan. Me and my sister watched Xanadu more times than I could count," she tweeted [20]. "Sending so much love and prayers to a real gift of a woman and talent. #RIPOliviaNewtonJohn 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾."
Lea Salonga
"Rest In Peace, Olivia Newton-John. Hers was one of the voices of my childhood," the "Pretty Little Lies: Original Sin" star wrote on Twitter [21]. "Deepest condolences to everyone she loved and loved her."
George Takei
"We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73," Takei tweeted. "I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth."
Yvette Nicole Brown
"Olivia Newton-John has died. 💔 That's it. I'm done guys. Heartbroken doesn't even BEGIN to cover it. I ADORED her," Brown wrote on Twitter [22]. "I hate this so much. She was only 73. What is going on?! #RIPOliviaNewtonJohn."