Australia lost one of its greatest pop culture icons this week when Olivia Newton-John died on Monday, August 8th at the age of 73. The Grammy Award-winner and Grease star’s husband, John Easterling, confirmed the sad news on social media, writing that she “passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends.”
Over a decorated career, it’s still Newton-John’s unforgettable breakout performance in Grease that most of the world remembers her for. Joining the 1978 film production of the musical was a huge moment for the actress, but it turns out she was initially hesitant about signing up.
In a new interview with PEOPLE, the film’s casting director, Joel Thurm, revealed the late star’s initial reluctance, despite John Travolta only wanting Newton-John for the role. “So everybody wanted Olivia here, but Olivia didn’t jump at the offer. That’s the important thing to know,’ Plum noted, also joking, “If she said no, I’d be playing the part in a poodle skirt.”
According to Thurm, Newton-John really wanted to ensure that she had strong chemistry with Travolta before committing to the production, which was a first for the casting director. “I think I’ve never heard of a case where an actor being offered a role said, ‘I want to see me before I say yes.’ But that’s how smart she was,” he said.
After a few awkward moments in the first few takes, it soon all came together between Newton-John and Travolta. “You look at the screen and you see it,” Thurm recalled. “He had great respect for her as an artist. And she had the same for him. There was never anything untoward or romantic or stuff like that, but there was a great deal of mutual respect and friendship that lasted forever. They definitely had a spark.”
After her death this week, Travolta posted a touching tribute on Instagram. “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. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
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